Salient has heard that a number of Residential Advisers (RAs) from the residential complex—which includes Cumberland, McKenzies and Education House—are dissatisfied with the pay they receive and the conditions under which they are expected to work.

As part of the job, RAs are required to live on-site. But one RA has stated that they pay more back to the hostel in rent than they actually earn, meaning they are forced to rely on loans, allowances and other employment to cover the shortfall.

The RAs are also often required to work extra hours, especially when planning large events and dealing with significant problems, but are not paid for this extra work. They believe this is unfair, particularly as RAs from other university Halls of Residence receive a wide variety of benefits and compensation.

Earlier in the year, one RA left their role due to the conditions in which they were expected to work. The RA’s bedroom had a number of leaks which uStay management failed to resolve and on one occasion the RA was pressured to miss a class at university in order to attend a fire drill.

The RAs say they have approached management about their concerns but have been largely ignored. They also hope to raise awareness and secure fairer contracts for the RAs of 2012.

Formerly known as Unicomm, uStay has been plagued with problems in recent years. In 2008, many Cumberland residents spent the year in leaky rooms and on one occasion a sewage pipe burst, causing numerous issues. In response to these conditions, a number of students made national news as they protested at Study@Vic Day and prevented tours of the complex.

Official voter turnout figures were unavailable when Salient went to print, but it is estimated to be approximately 1800 students. Though this is only about ten per cent of the student body, it is almost double last year’s low turnout.

Bridie Hood was elected President for 2012, with 1449 votes to ensure a motion of no confidence could not pass against her.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support over their last few weeks and congratulate those who won their elections. 2012 is going to be a challenging year for VUWSA and I look forward to working with a strong Executive to insure VUWSA remains a strong and responsive students association,” said Hood following her election.

Hood also acknowledged the challenges VUWSA will face next year as the association adjusts to a voluntary environment.

“I will be spending the rest of the year alongside the current VUWSA Executive to ensure that appropriate structures are put in place for 2012. Although VSM poses a massive threat to the representation and services that VUWSA provides, we now need to look to the future and confront the challenge in front of us. VUWSA will survive VSM,”
she said.

Outgoing President Seamus Brady also congratulated Hood on her success.

“I have every confidence in Bridie’s ability to be a great President and lead VUWSA through a difficult year as they transition to a new environment. She’s achieved a lot as Vice-President (Education) so I look forward to seeing what she does next year,” he said.

Other results also came as no surprise. Ta’ase Vaoga held her own against a no confidence motion, succeeding in becoming Vice President (Welfare) with 1437 votes. Vaoga and Hood were the only Executive members from 2011 to seek re-election.

Josh Wright had a successful evening, winning each of the positions he stood for—Vice-President (Academic), Education Officer and one of two Publications Committee representatives. Assuming he takes up the Vice Presidency, Sam Vincent will become Education Officer.

The position of Treasurer was won by Science Society President William Guzzo. Former VUWSA President and 2011 NZUSA co-president Max Hardy was elected the Student Representative on the University Council.

Election night also saw the end of Seamus Brady’s tenure at VUWSA after being involved with the Association since 2008. He says it is a good feeling to be moving on.

“Despite losing my youthful good looks, I’ve loved (almost) every bit of my time involved and it’s incredibly satisfying to see how much VUWSA has grown over the past three and half years,” he said.

Alongside voting in the election, students were also asked about their opinion of VUWSA’s Strategic Plan, the first of its kind for the association. Of the 1827 who responded to this question, approximately 50 per cent felt “neutral” towards it. While only 32 per cent said they were “satisfied” with the Plan. This was the final round of consultation, which will now be discussed by the Executive and then voted upon at next year’s Initial General Meeting.

VUWSA Election Results

Position: President
Elected: Bridie Hood (1449)
Other Candidates: No Confidence (307)

Position: Vice President (Welfare)
Elected: Ta’ase Vaonga (1437)
Other Candidates: No Confidence (308)

Position: International Officer
Elected: Debbie Zhang (1407)
Other Candidates: Lisa Taylor (263)

Position: Vice President (Academic
Elected: Josh Wright (1038)
Other Candidates: Craig Carey (673)

Position: Queer Officer
Elected: Genevieve Fowler (1411)
Other Candidates: Emma Maddox (205)

Position: Treasurer
Elected: William Guzzo (902)
Other Candidates: Zanian Steele (473),
Bruno Simpson (309)

Position: Welfare Officer
Elected: Rory McCourt (871)
Other Candidates: Emma Anderson (526)
Kiran Matthews (339)

Position: Activities Officer
Elected: Andreas Triandafilidis (835)
Other Candidates: Kirin Matthews (463),
Lisa Taylor (371)

Position: Education Officer
Elected: Josh Wright (783)
Other Candidates: Sam Vincent (627)
Lisa Taylor (298)

Position: Campaigns Officer
Elected: Adele Redmond (1363)
Other Candidates: No Confidence (372)

Position: Women’s Officer
Elected: Sara Bishop (927)
Other Candidates: Isabella Whitfield (658)

Position: Clubs Officer
Elected: Reed Fleming (1460)
Other Candidates: Andrew Donnelly (261)

Position: Student Rep. on University Council
Elected: Max Hardy (1429)
Other Candidates: Lisa Taylor (244)

Position: Environmental Officer
Elected: Sophie Turner (1035)
Other Candidates: Harry Lusk (392),
Stu Miller (324)

osition: Publications Committee Representatives
Elected: Elle Hunt (1359), Josh Wright (673)
Other Candidates: Zanian Steele (275),
Keegan Platten (120)

The government has decided that it will no longer fund university preparation courses at universities but will continue to fund such courses at polytechnics and other training organisations. This means that Victoria University’s Certificate in University Preparation (CUP) will now be without funding.

Due to these cuts, Victoria management are proposing to cut the CUP altogether.

This means that students wishing to undertake university preparation courses in Wellington will have to attend Weltec, Whitirea, or a private training institute.

VUWSA is opposed to the closure and believes that students will be disadvantaged if they cannot complete these courses at university. They believe that an important part of these university preparation courses is being able to orient students at university and the services it offers, such as the library and support services.

Current CUP students are also opposed to the proposal.

“I took CUP in the first trimester of last year and it was the best decision I ever made. The skills they teach you in that course are so valuable to university as a whole,” said one student.

“Bridging courses into university mean that a diverse range of people can access university education. Moving these courses to polytechs removes this “bridging” function. Instead it creates another barrier to accessing uni if you are not being immersed in the campus lifestyle,” said another.

Despite facing the same funding problems, other universities have decided not to cut their preparation courses. The University of Auckland has chosen to fund their programme through its equity fund. The preparation programme at Waikato University is being run by Weltec but will be taught on the Waikato campus to allow new students to orient themselves with the campus.

VUWSA believes that Victoria should look into similar alternatives to avoid ending the programme.

The proposal to close the CUP is currently open for consultation before the final decision is made.

The Forum attracted a large crowd, many of whom appeared to be genuinely interested in the candidates’ ideas. Unfortunately time constraints meant a number of questions went unasked and the final few candidates were rushed through their speeches.

This was particularly problematic as the final speakers were those standing for the most important roles within VUWSA—Treasurer, the Vice Presidencies (Welfare and Academic), and the Presidency—and were the candidates most students wanted to quiz.

Lone presidential candidate Bridie Hood told the crowd she wants VUWSA to remain true to the goals it established 112 years ago. She focused on financial sustainability; student representation; student engagement; and an active student community.

Both candidates for Vice President (Academic), Josh Wright and Craig Carey spoke knowledgeably of both VUWSA and the university.

Standing unopposed for Vice President (Welfare), Ta’ase Vaonga plugged her catchphrase a “visible, vibrant and viable VUWSA” and highlighted plans to encourage work with the International and Clubs Officers.

The forum saw three lively candidates for the position of Treasurer. William Guzzo spoke with great enthusiasm about reviving VUWSA while Bruno Simpson touted his business and accounting experience.

Zanian Steele made sweeping promises, stating he would cut VUWSA salaries and will resign if he cannot achieve this. Also standing for Publications Committee Representative, Steele received rapturous applause as he waved a copy of Salient and stated: “If you don’t want controversy, get the bloody Economist!”

Also standing for this position, Salient co-editor Elle Hunt stated her experience working with the magazine will give her the knowledge necessary to be successful in the position.
“And if they decide to sell it I will make sure they get a good price,” she said.

Most other candidates spoke informatively and enthusiastically with most emphasising the challenges VUWSA will face in light of VSM. The exception was Kiran Mathews, who said he had no idea what the Activities Officer did and had “no opinions or passion.”

Students can vote online or in person in the VUWSA General Election from the 26th to 29th of October.

Check out the Salient Facebook page for a link to the candidates’ video manifestos and the centre pull-out in this week’s issue for more information

Victoria has recently released the results of its Student Experience Improvement Survey which it conducted in April and May this year. The survey aimed to give the university an opportunity to hear the ‘student voice’ in order to further understand students’ perceptions of the services the university provides.

Overall, 80 per cent of survey respondents rated all services and facilities at Victoria as ‘good’ or ‘very good.’ Students identified services that supported studying and living as the best performing and service areas, and services that supported enrolling and getting started as the services which need the most improvement.

However, there appears to be a disparity between students in taught courses and those engaged in research-based courses. The survey found “Research students appear to be somewhat dissatisfied with Faculty-based services.”

In terms of services and facilities that help students’ studies, the library was the big winner. Both students in taught courses, as well as research students, rated the library as the service that contributes most positively to their studies. Of taught students, 88 per cent were happy with the library resources and 86 per cent were happy with the library services.
Student computing services were also acknowledged to be of high value to students and their studies. However, 27 per cent of taught students also believed this to be the study-related service which needs the most improvement.

The survey found that the timeliness of information was a big issue for students and one that the university is underperforming in. In terms of enrolment, only 64 per cent of students were happy with the timeliness of communication over enrolment details.

Students also rated timely feedback on assignments as one of the most important features in helping their studies. However, alarmingly, only 47 per cent rated the timeliness of this feedback as ‘good’ or ‘very good.’

Communication of information with students was also found to be a particularly troublesome area. Students reported difficulty in finding information or the right person to talk to and generally lack confidence that information will be consistent across sources. Students also believe the University web site is targeted more towards prospective students than current students.

The survey also looked at the services provided which enhance student life at Victoria. vicbooks, Student Health Services, and cafes and food on campus were rated the most important in this regard. It was also the cafe and food services on campus which were judged most in need of improvement in this area.

Interestingly, in light of VSM, only 5 per cent of students saw services provided by the students’ association as the most important services on campus.

The survey results also included the university’s plans to improve in the areas identified by students—including the improvement of online information , research into what first-year students value at university, and the development of computing services.

The survey had 4150 respondents, all of whom are current students, and about 22 per cent of the student population at Victoria.

VUWSA’s ‘Chew the Fat with Pat’ invited students to ask questions of Victoria University Chancellor Ian McKinnon and Vice-Chancellor Pat Walsh.
Both McKinnon and Walsh emphasised that their key goal was to ensure a quality overall student experience.

“We want our students to leave universtity with a qualification but also with a whole experience, which gives them confidence to move into whatever field they choose,” McKinnon said.

“That quality, of course, has a price tag.”

Walsh then provided students with an overview of how Victoria works to achieve this within the financial constraints placed on universities.

“We have had, over the last ten years, probably longer, anually a decline in the real value of government funding per student,” Walsh said.

“We are now funded at about 60 per cent of the level of Australian students.”

Ensuring quality is difficult due to the capped funding system introduced in 2007. Prior to this, university funding was funded on a ‘bums on seats’ basis. Now universities have to maintain student numbers at particular levels and are not allowed to raise fees by any more than four per cent each year.

“This creates problems as our fixed costs rise faster than our revenue,” says Walsh.

The forum then moved to a question session. Only a handful of students asked questions but these took considerable time, meaning VUWSA President Seamus Brady was unable to ask a number of questions sent to him by absent students.

One student asked about the recent tripling of Trimester Three courses. Walsh replied that in 2010 the university had to limit courses due to high student numbers which they could not fund. Then, in 2011, because “students are an unpredictable bunch” student numbers dropped and the university feared it wouldn’t have enough students for funding quota. As a result, the university added a number of courses to the summer trimester.

Another student asked what the university is doing to address the issue of large tutorial sizes. Walsh acknowledged this is a big problem and said this is a excellent example of how reduced government funding affects quality of education.

One student asked why there was a security guard at the door of the forum, believing this contributed to the ‘culture of imtimidation’ at the university and discouraged the voicing of student opinion.

Walsh passed this question to a staff member who said fees issues invoke strong student opinion, which “students express in a number of different ways.”
Several students also used this opportunity to voice their concerns on changes to the Gender and Women’s Studies and International Relations programmes.

Walsh also acknowledged the challenges that the relationship between Victoria and VUWSA will inevitably face in an environment of voluntary student association membership.
“We work in partnership with VUWSA. Under VSM, our relationship is no longer entirely in our own hands and we can’t make as free choices,” said Walsh.
A video of the forum will soon be available at www.vuwsa.org.nz

Te Mana Ākonga, the National Māori Tertiary Students’ Association, attempted to lodge a claim with the Waitangi Tribunal, stating that the passage of the VSM Bill has not taken into account Māori interests.

The claim was been made by Te Mana Ākonga on behalf of Māori Students’ Associations, including Victoria University’s Ngai Tauira, and all Māori engaged in tertiary education.
“We have submitted this claim due to the negative impacts this Bill will have on Maori development and advancement. It highlights the prejudicial effects of this Bill against tauira (students) Maori in the tertiary sector and the impacts it has on the overall framework provided by students’ associations which assist in strengthening the support of tauira,” says Te Mana Akonga Tumuaki Jacqualene Poutu.

Te Mana Ākonga claim VSM prejudicially affects Māori students and defies the Treaty of Waitangi. They believe VSM will: diminish the right of Māori at university to form rōpū (a group or association); reduce the right of those rōpū to exercise Tino Rangatiratanga (self-determination); and weaken the right of Māori students to form a national representative entity.

They asked for an urgent hearing with the Tribunal and for it to recommend the Bill be abolished, and that provisions be made to protect Māori at university and their national representation.

They are also appealing to the Tribunal on the grounds that the government did not act in good faith by consulting with Māori students and did not conduct any research into the effects this bill would have on Māori students and their associations.

NZUSA support the claim and agree that research should have been conducted into the effects VSM will have on students.

The disgraceful fact remains that the government has done no analysis or real consideration of what impact this Bill will have on student services, student representation, and the quality of education for students as a whole,” says NZUSA co-President David Do.

The claim was presented to Parliament by Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell last Wednesday. He asked for the entirety of the Bill to be referred to the Tribunal. However, the motion was not supported by the House so will not be referred.

The Waitangi Tribunal was set up in 1975 and is designed to provide redress for actions of the Crown, such as legislation, which breach the Treaty of Waitangi. The Tribunal conducts a series of hearings and makes recommendations to the government who can then decide whether or not to act on them.

The objective of the proposal is to establish a framework for how compulsory fees and student services are administered by universities. This framework aims to create transparency and accountability in decision-making on these issues.

Part of the proposal states the categories of student services that can be funded by compulsory service fees. These categories exclude a number of services that universities currently offer and are in strong demand.

The proposal states that service fees could cover advocacy and legal advice; careers information and guidance; counselling services; employment information; financial support and advice; health services; student media; childcare services; and sports and recreation services.

The Student Services Levy at Victoria currently covers most of these categories. However, it also covers accommodation services, Maori mentoring service Te Putahi Atawhai, Student Learning Support Services, new student orientation, and information technology services. These areas are not included in Joyce’s proposal.

Because these services are not included in the proposal it is conceivable that the university would have to find alternative sources of funding for these or would have to cut them altogether.

VUWSA President Seamus Brady is concerned that these changes will ultimately lead to a lack of quality student services.

“We’re concerned that the categories prescribed by the Minister are too narrow and leave little room for services that students have said they want to be funded,” he says.
A good example of this is information technology services which provides students with internet, email and printing services. In 2011, $1,660,195 of the funding for this service came from the Student Services Levy. If information technology is excluded from student services fees then this money would have to come from another source.

The new restrictions on levy spending will limit how VUWSA could transition into a voluntary membership environment. The option of the University funding some services through the Student Services Levy was being floated. However the prescribed categories do not allow for funding of many of VUWSA’s core services—such as representation and welfare—meaning VUWSA will have to find revenue elsewhere.

The implementation date of the proposed changes has drawn criticism from NZUSA co-president, Max Hardy.

“[Joyce] is expecting associations and institutions to adjust to a massively altered funding environment in just a few short months. They couldn’t have done much more to make this as difficult as possible for the sector to manage,” Hardy says.

“We hope that the Government has made an oversight and will be fully engaged in the consultation process.”
The Minister is currently seeking submissions from anyone who is concerned about the proposed changes.

“Compulsory student services fees have increased significantly in the last few years, and I am sceptical that students have seen a corresponding increase in services. These changes will ensure students have a greater say in what these fees are used for,” says Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce.

The law allows the Minister to direct which services fees can be used for; make universities create decision-making processes involving students; and make them provide written statements for students which detail the spending on services.

If the Minister is not satisfied that an individual provider is complying with the directions he will have the power to place a maximum limit on the amount they may charge for student services.

Compulsory student services fees are charged by all universities. These fees are used to pay for services such as health providers, accommodation services and study support. At Victoria University, the Student Services Levy falls into this category.

The New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) has welcomed the changes.

“It is essential that students have oversight over these levies. This is the best way to ensure that services are responsive to students and that levies are kept under control,” NZUSA co-President Max Hardy says.

The Bill also establishes Education New Zealand as a new crown agency to promote New Zealand as a destination for international students.

“International education is a vital part of our economy and we want to see that grow even further. The new agency is a key part of achieving this,” says Mr Joyce.

The meeting on 25 August saw one board member move motions relating to the Academic Board’s role at Victoria. The first motion sought to re-affirm the Academic Board’s role in decision-making related to the university’s strategic plan and the second moved that all future restructuring be discussed by the Academic Board in order to fulfil its statutory requirements.

Following these motions, debate ensued reflecting the different interpretations of the Academic Board’s role in the Change Proposals which seek to disestablish academic positions in the Education, Philosophy and Political Science and International Relations Programmes as well as the complete disestablishment of the Crime and Justice Research Centre.
Debate centred around the purpose of the Academic Board in strategic and academic decision-making. The Board’s statute states that it shall consider “academic matters, which are deemed to be: the academic consequences of the University’s strategic goals… [and] the academic consequences of changes to academic structures.”

The member putting forward the motion stated that many consider the changes included in these proposals to be of an academic nature and involving substantial changes to programmes which would affect students. He argued it was the duty of the Academic Board to guide the University Council to allow it to run responsibly. VUWSA President Seamus Brady agreed and seconded the motion.

Those opposing the motion argued that the Academic Board’s role is to consider the strategic decisions of the university. They argued changes in staff and academic focus occur continually and do not need to be discussed by the Board.

They also emphasised that changes in the International Relations Programme, which will see a shift in focus to the Asia Pacific region, are in line with the strategic plan which the Academic Board has already approved.

They stated that the purpose of the changes is to build the programme by enhancing the range of courses offered and emphasised that the changes will not remove any courses. But those in support of the motion argued that it is impossible to make staff changes without affecting students.

Tertiary Education Union Organiser Michael Gilchrist attended the meeting. Vice-Chancellor Pat Walsh said he would not set a precedent by allowing a union spokesperson to address the board, but Gilchrist argued he was enrolled at Victoria as a PhD student and therefore was entitled to speak.

Gilchrist accused the Board of making changes in the university’s academic direction under the justification of restructuring. He stated that interpretations of the change proposals are being used to form the basis of the recommendations and therefore these interpretations should be discussed by the Academic Board.

Despite few members speaking in favour of the motions, voting was fairly evenly split over the issue as both motions were defeated by only a couple of votes.