Then I entered high school and I began to challenge my beliefs; first as a means of rebelling against my parents and my Catholic school, but second, and more importantly, in a genuine attempt to understand my world. By this point, belief and faith, at least in a religious sense, had a new meaning to me: the denial of observation, evidence and argument so that faith and belief could be preserved.

I am an atheist. That seems a little obvious after the whole “denial of evidence” point, but for me it is an important pronouncement. It is not something I decided to become, rather something I realised I always was. I am part of a rapidly growing group of New Zealanders who have no faith or religion—when we have our next census I look forward to seeing at what percentage of New Zealanders put down their preference on the form.

Religion, though, is not the only place where I have ‘beliefs’. I’m also a libertarian, I support the Black Caps (which as many of you know takes a lot of faith) and I believe whisky is the drink of kings. Some of these beliefs (like supporting the Black Caps), like my old belief in Religion, are not based in what I would call reason. Other beliefs, like my political stance, are based in what I think is very solid reason, but many others—particularly my friends at VUWSA—think is less reasonable than saying Jon Stewart isn’t funny. Such is the nature of beliefs—they are, by their very nature, very hard to prove beyond any doubt and are particular to each person.

At university, you are in an incredible position to try out new beliefs and ways of thinking. If you subscribe to socially conservative ideas, read some Hitchens. If you’re right wing, read some Trotsky or even Orwell—much maligned by the left but firmly planted in social democrat soil. Conversely, if you’re left wing, read some Rand: if nothing else read it for the trains. The point is this: now is not the time in your life to become too dogmatic in whatever beliefs you hold. Take this time to go out and challenge yourself—you never know what you may learn.

Stay safe,
Daniel Wilson
avp@vuwsa.org.nz

No-one but you can answer this question, but over the coming weeks I have the opportunity to ask you on a one-to-one basis, especially if you are involved in one of the green clubs we have here on campus. Being at university is all about exploring who we are, what we believe, and what we have the potential to become. Clubs are an excellent way of sharing and debating beliefs. Gecko is a great starting point—they meet weekly on a Thursday from 11am – 12pm in SU217.

As for me—belief is just the first step. Without action, there is no change. So begin 2011 with tackling the environmental issues that are relevant to you!

Through increased communication with campus environmental groups, I’m looking at what the University and VUWSA can do to aid our current environment on campus, ensuring a sustainable future by addressing recycling. Recycling as an issue continues to plague Victoria University, with increasing waste figures over the last three years. Focus will centre on tackling this issue, with incentives and ways to promote its reduction.

2011 is set to be a happening year. With upcoming environmental events, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Environment Week next trimester. Coming elections also promise for environment issues to be in hot debate, so get involved, state what you believe, and make your voice heard.

Haley Mortimer
environment.officer@vuwsa.org.nz

Hey Vic

Hope your all going well with you essays and tests and keeping your stress levels down.

but for those of you who need to release and vent on 11th and 12th of oct, 11am-2pm,VUWSA is bringing you Art therapy. this is a not to be missed event. The Quad will be spray painted into a maze-like art piece where you will find food and club stalls, art and craft workshops. If you bring our old clothes you can get it funked up at the Art and Culture stall. Live music and performances will be brought to you by VBC and Human FM. Be sure to grab some goodies from the Free Store demo and get painting with us at the “Liberty area”. Get amongst it! this has never happened before and will possibly never happen again.

TUNE in to 88.3 FM every Thursday 1-2pm for Afternoon Delight With Alan and Masha for Activities And Clubs NEWS and events coming up.

Hope everyone enjoyed Faith week where the Campus Life set the BBQ on for the hungry students and let those with a curiosity for the unknown get infomation and basically enjoy the day.

Healthy lifestyles week porvided students with free fruit and tomato soup and infomation on how to better improve their eating habits

I apologize to Sarah Robson for the lateness of this column but Blues awards needed helpers and I did my best to help out.

Keep well and look out for VUWSA Campus Life Team (Masha Kupriyenko and Alan Young) and the events coming up!!!

Alan Young

While this may be the last issue of Salient for this year, for some students this will be good bye, others it will be a nice holiday and for a few students they aren’t going to leave over the summer.

There are so many options that face students when they leave university for the holidays. To sleep or to drink, to work or to play. These are the questions that students must face after they finish their exams. One such option is to work. Most students know that they will at some point find themselves working in Hospo or Retail over summer so that you can afford to live during the normal year and so I wish all of the students who are helping to create a strong and vibrant economy the best of luck and I wish that you don’t become insane with the monotony of these jobs.

Another option is to play and drink. I am currently a member of the Victoria University of Wellington Flying Disk Club, it’s awesome. We play Ultimate Frisbee then we go have a drink. It’s pretty much the best thing in the world to do on a beautiful summer’s day. I would recommend to every person at Victoria to get involved with a club, it’s not too late. It’s never too late to get out there and do something.

Goodbye Mt St, you were a dear friend. In my time of need you were there. When I wanted to have a drink you were there. I will miss you. Some of you might know that on Friday Mt St Bar closes permanently (tear). On Friday Mt St will be auctioning EVERYTHING!!!!! Come along and say goodbye, buy a beer and/or a couch

Richard Carr
AVP 2010

Kia Ora,

Second to last week of trimester – thank goodness – the end is in sight! I thought this I would keep my column nice and short this week, an update on what the education team has been up to and our plans for the rest of the trimester.

Education Team

Submissions—over the last few weeks we have been particularly busy submitting on University policy. We have made a submission regarding the quality of teaching and learning at Vic and we have also presented a student review to the Philosophy and Logic programme, after discussion with class representatives. While the university has been pretty good regarding student consultation it is great to see them really wanting to engage with students and discuss their educational experiences at Vic.

VASG—we are well into surveying for the second trimester. We have also begun looking at alternative methods for gathering information about courses, particularly about moving our surveying online, making it more accessible to students in the future.

Upcoming events

This week we will be heading out to Karori campus armed with a BBQ and some sausages! So if you are out at Karori campus this Thursday, between 12.30 and 1.30, head to the Common Room, grab a sausage and come have a chat to us! We are really interested in hearing in what ways we can improve our services to Karori and what issues in particular are facing Karori based students.

And finally, don’t forget to vote in the VUWSA elections – make sure your voice is heard!

Told you it would be short and sweet!

Bridie

Student Services Levy Not Increasing in 2011

Despite not convincing members at last Monday’s University Council meeting not to increase our tuition fees for 2011, our VUWSA student representatives gained a significant win – no increase in the 2011 Student Services Levy.

This was the culmination of many months of work between VUWSA and the University following a partnership in 2009 after the Levy was increased (opposed by VUWSA) by 94%.
This partnership saw a new advisory committee established with joint VUWSA-University representation that was tasked with financial and strategic oversight of the Levy. A central area of focus was reviewing each service and seeking student feedback on what they were paying for.

A majority of students submitting believed the Levy was too high and it should not increase in 2011. VUWSA took this and lobbied to ensure there was none and at the same time won refunds for some part-time students.

Annual General Meeting – featuring a Humungous Sandwich and BBQ

The 2010 VUWSA Annual General Meeting is this Wednesday at 1PM in the Memorial Theatre Foyer. This is your chance to hear from your student representatives and see what VUWSA has been doing to date. The Executive will be presenting their 6 months report outlining their activities and various motions will be voted on. There will also be a giant sandwich, free BBQ (with vegetarian options), prizes and a cash bar.

One of the most important motions is one that will establish a Science Students’ Representative Group. VUWSA recognises and funds specific groups on campus that represent certain student groups. Currently this includes the Law Students’ Society, VicCom, UniQ, STUDiO, and the Pasifika Students’ Council. The creation of this rep group will help fill a gap in the VUWSA Family and will enable stronger representation and support for science students at Victoria.

We’re also hoping to add the option of “No-Confidence” to elections of Publication Committee Representatives and University Council elections if they aren’t contested. This is to bring these two positions in line with the Executive elections.

Update on Bus Fares

After I wrote a letter in last week’s issue of Salient, Go Wellington announced a further change in their new fare structure in light of removing the Gold Pass. Following outcry and pressure placed on it by organisations such as VUWSA, Go Wellington has announced a new $135 monthly bus pass. This is considerably better than their initial 100% move to individual Snapper fares, and then to a $185 monthly bus pass. We will continue to keep the pressure on for tertiary discounts.

Seamus Brady Vice President (Welfare)
wvp@vuwsa.org.nz

Kia ora and welcome to my final column as your Environmental Officer. The VUWSA elections for 2011 will be underway shortly, so make sure you use your voice and vote. You may have noticed I’m not running again (as I have other plans…) but it’s been an honour to serve you for the past year and a bit. I believe I have lived up to my promises to work hard for you the student, and be committed to the cause of protecting our future.

Warm My Flat

The biggest project I have worked on this year is Warm My Flat. For too long we have put up with frickin’ freezing flats. Hopefully you will have been to vuwsa.org.nz/campaigns to arm yourself with information, insulation, curtains and door snakes, and it will have paid off. Luckily the weather now seems to be warming up (a bit).

Soon you may be looking for a new flat, and have a real chance to improve your lot. To nab a warm, healthy place there are simple questions you can ask and things you can look out for. Check out the pages of this fair magazine for Kate Pike’s next column about just this. Watch out for VUWSA’s upcoming flatting guide, and the next updates at vuwsa.org.nz/campaigns.

10:10:10 Greenovations

Speaking of which, the awesome environment group on campus, Gecko, has your back on this front too. As part of 350.org’s 10:10 campaign for a safe climate, Gecko is looking for flats to warm up and Greenovate – giving away free Eco-bulbs, composters and much more! Go to warmupwellington.wordpress.com for more info, and watch out for them in the quad this Wednesday.

10:10 is an organisation aiming for voluntary cuts to emissions by 10% over the course of 2010, and have teamed up with 350.org to make this happen. People around the world, like Gecko, are working on their own projects to show Governments that we’re serious about climate change and that they should be too. Appropriately, the day of celebration for these projects is Sunday 10/10/10, so watch out for local events (including maybe a Gecko one)! Go to 350.org.nz.

Sustainability Policy

Finally, I am working hard to get VUWSA’s new Sustainability Policy in place for next year. This is another one of my 2010 babies. It is my hope you will see a much greener VUWSA next year, leading by example. Watch this space!

Zack Dorner

Don’t wait until your unique experience at University passes and you live to regret that you did not embrace the opportunities that you missed. Every day we are offered a chance to be part of something exciting and new. Some of the important events in the next few weeks which affect all students at Victoria are:

2011 STUDENT ELECTIONS

Nominations are open for the 2011 VUWSA Executive and close at 4.30pm on the 24th of September. This is a chance to be part of the Students’ Association’s governing body. The Executive is responsible for the strategic direction and governance of the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association. Any student enrolled at Victoria University may run for an executive position. And the Executive holds office for one year from January to December.

If you want to make choices to benefit everybody at Victoria and represent the best interests of your fellow students visit www.vuwsa.org.nz for more information. You’ll find role descriptions and nomination forms. Feel free to contact Max if you have any questions—president@vuwsa.org.nz.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2010

Another big event for students at Victoria is the Annual General Meeting of VUWSA. Happening at 1PM on Wednesday 29th September, this is an occasion to voice any of your opinions about the way that the Students’ Association is being run and hear from your student representatives. At the AGM the Executive will be presenting the Half Year Report, the half year financials and some constitutional amendments. There will able be a free BBQ and a giant sized sandwich will be making an appearance for your eating pleasure. The AGM is being held on the, it would be an excellent event to learn from, engage with and hear from your fellow students.

BUDGET 2011

Predicting the future is nearly impossible; making statement like the sun will rise tomorrow or no one will live forever are rather useless. This makes that task of accurately predicting an entire year’s revenue and expenses quite difficult. VUWSA is about to start this process and will be consulting extensively with various students and groups around campus. VUWSA will keep publicising the process while we progress.

It’s really getting down to the time when hard decisions must be made; to drink or to study, to party or to sleep, to participate or to quietly wander by. Be part of the decision making process, get involved.

Richard Carr
avp@vuwsa.org.nz

GOOD MORNING VICTORIA UNIVERSITY!

Class Rep Training

We are having 3 additional training this week for students who have not yet attended training. They are on;

Tuesday 14th Sept, 3pm, Meeting Room 1
Thursday 16th September, 4pm AND 5pm, Meeting Room 3

These sessions will run for one hour each, please RSVP to the Education Organiser Fiona Beals at eo@vuwsa.org.nz.

Turnitin

As most of you are aware the University used at online anti-plagarism company called ‘Turnitin’. Many of you have probably had experience with the website having to submit your essays onto the website. Currently VUWSA is reviewing the University’s use of Turnitin after a several students have come to us with concerns about the company. A few facts about Turnitin;

• Turnitin derives economic gain from your work (by storing it and running it against other papers)
• Through the ‘click through agreement’ students are agreeing to have their work archived
• There are several ‘repositories’ in which student’s work can be archived, including an ‘institution’ repository, but Vic has no policy on which repository the work is archived into, but allows the lecturers to choose
• Turnitin claims that students attending institutions agree to policies set out by that institution, therefore, if Turnitin is within policy, students can be given a fail grade for non-submission via Turnitin
• Current VUW Policy: Turnitin is mentioned in the Assessment Handbook, though many students aren’t even aware that this exists or where to view the policy. There is a statement about Turnitin in ‘Assessment Communication’ (e.g. Course Outlines, websites etc.) but the vast majority of courses state that Turnitin ‘may’ be used, with no clear indication that it will or won’t. This causes a problem because if a student has an objection to using Turnitin and with no clear indication of it being used, this could lead to a student failing a course – a situation that is facing at least one student at the moment.

As a student I don’t feel we have been given enough information about Turnitin and VUWSA is looking at running a campaign to inform students about Turnitin, your rights and what happens to your work in the future.

Did you know this about Turnitin? Or is this all new to you? Do you have any bad experiences with using the programme? Get in contact with us; we’d love to hear what you think!

Bridie Hood
evp@vuwsa.org.nz

Kia Ora,

Campus Safety Audit

I hope you enjoyed your holiday, and are ready for the last six weeks of the year. While you were off doing that, I was meeting with the University and Baz the community constable to organize a Campus Safety Audit. I don’t know if you realized this, but Vic is up a hill. A big hill. And late at night it can be scary having to walk down the big hill. We’ve been lucky in that there haven’t been any attacks on campus in 2010, and we’d like to keep it that way. There are already Campus Angels on Kelburn, Te Aro and Pipitea from 7 – 10pm to walk you home/to a bus stop/a well lit area when you’ve been studying late at night but what about outside their hours?

Over the next six weeks, VUWSA will be carrying out a survey and identify risks on campus to see if there is anything we can do to make you feel safer. After all, you’re spending at least three years here and that is a lot of late night library sessions – especially with exams fast approaching. The coolest thing is that the University has agreed to work with VUWSA and do anything they can to help make your campus safer.

We’re not trying to scare you, and by all means don’t think that campus isn’t safe – there is security 24/7 and closed circuit cameras around to make after hours less threatening. We just think there can be more done to make your university a safe space.

VUWSA General Elections

I know, I know, we’ve just had a round of elections and we’re already amping up for some more. But these are the exciting ones. You could replace me! The constitution requires you to be a self-identifying woman, but if you are and you’re interested then you can contact me at wro@vuwsa.org.nz to find out just what it means to be Women’s Rights Officer. It’s lots of fun, and you get to organize events like picnics, fashion shows and gigs.

VUWSA Women’s Group

If you’re interested in joining the group, email vuwsa.womens.group@gmail.com to be put on the mailing list and kept in the loop about the weekly meetings. Also you can follow us on Twitter (@vuwsawomens) and check out our tumblr to stay updated on important feminist issues.

Have a great rest of the year!

Caitlin

VUWSA Te Aro Clinics

VUWSA has not visited the Te Aro campus as often as we would have liked. The tyranny of distance/the mountainous environment of Wellington has proved a constant frustration for many.

For the remainder of the year VUWSA will be visiting Te Aro each week to make the following (and more) services accessible from the Atrium every Wednesday 12-3PM. We’ll be launching it with a free BBQ, noodles, and music this Wednesday.

You’ll be able to get your free bus tickets if you have classes at Kelburn on the same day, food banks, information and appointments with our Student Advocate, free tax return advice, information about Campus Angels, clubs, representative groups and be able to have a chat with one of your student representatives about ideas, issues or questions you have about your campus, course or the University.

VUWSA is fortunate to have such a proactive and dedicated representative group at Te Aro. STUDiO is the group of people who act as representatives for all the students based in and around the Vivian Street. They help us train and support dozens of Class Reps and Faculty Delegates and ensure the views, concerns and issues relating to Architecture and Design students’ are communicated and acted on. They also keep things interesting outside classes, arranging regular events and parties, guest lectures, forums, barbeques and design competitions.

We hope these weekly clinics are the beginning of a stronger VUWSA presence and service at Te Aro and go a little way in making up for of lack of visits, hellos and hugs.

VUWSA Flatting Mag

Flatting can be an awesome and life changing experience when it all goes to plan. But when things go belly-up when you least expect them to, friendships can be ruined, awkward flat romances can blossom and it all just becomes a freaking nightmare, especially if you are not prepared. It can leave you stressing, getting sick, out-of pocket, homeless, or even friendless.

That is why here at VUWSA we are currently putting together a guide about everything you need to know about flatting in Wellington. From knowing the law and your rights, to warming your flat up, to knowing the ins and outs of Wellington’s suburbs, everything will be in it.

We need your help though. We want you to email wvp@vuwsa.org.nz with all your tips, tricks and stories about flatting. We’ll collect them all up and include them in the magazine.

Student Forum

Do try and make it along to the Student Forum with the Vice Chancellor and Chancellor at 2pm Monday in the Memorial Theatre. Read Max’s column for more information.

Seamus Brady
wvp@vuwsa.org.nz

Hello VUW Students and Staff, I’m Richard Carr, the recently elected Administration Vice-President. I realise that usually these columns say what the Exec member has been doing and what will happen in the near future, however I have been in office for 3 days so not much to report on. Instead i thought that I would let people know who I am and what I aim to do. Currently I’m a second year studying a BCA in Economics and a BSc in Operations Research.

When I was elected I was asked by Max Hardy what I would like to do in my position. I gave him some answers but I have been thinking on this over the last few days and I have come to a conclusion of 7 main goals which I will strive to achieve:

Internal EfficiencyKeeping accurate income statements and carefully monitoring the budget to ensure that money is being spent the way that we have promised the students.

Financial Advice
Becoming fully integrated with the accounts of your Students Association to be able to quickly assess and supply useful advice any on approaching decisions.

Reassess Current Spending
I will be reviewing expenditure so that I can ensure that the students are not paying for things that do not provide substantial benefits.

Cost Effective Services
Looking at the services that are being funded for by students and ensuring that they are providing maximum benefit for minimum cost.

Communication
By having an active website, obvious office hours, response to emails and being present at Student meetings so that I can clearly communicate what is happening within the organisation to the students.

Accountability and Management
Combining all the above ideas to create a VUWSA which you can be proud to say that you are a member of, having transparent practises and continue the strong management guiding VUWSA.

Non member revenue
Finding money to provide Students with benefits without having them cost anything.

With these clear goals I hope that I can achieve all that I have set out to do.

If you have any problems, any ideas of what you think should be done, or even just want to chat, feel free to get in touch with me, I look forward to meeting you.

My Office Hours are:
11-2 Tuesday
11-2 Wednesday
12-2 Thursday
11-2 Friday

My Email is:
avp@vuwsa.org.nz

R.C.

This week VUWSA will be holding its first Noodle Day, as part of the perpetual campaign against the inadequate living support available to students in New Zealand. Free instant noodles will be available from the VUWSA marquee in the Kelburn campus quad from 11:30 on Wednesday. The idea behind Noodle Day is that it highlights the fact that the ‘instant noodle lifestyle’ is a reality for many students in New Zealand, particularly in Wellington. Extra tight budgets leave students forced to sacrifice nutritional value and variety in their eating habits, to the detriment of both short and long term health. The VUWSA Foodbank and Student Hardship Fund provides support for students in the most desperate situations. There are people at this university who literally survive on $160 a week, borrowed from the government. Average rent in Wellington around $150 leaves little money for food, and no money when there are bills. So come along on Wednesday, get some free lunch, and remember that aside from everything else that is going on in the tertiary sector right now, we must not forget about the fight for adequate and universal living allowances.

On a much lighter note, VUWSA Welfare services, such as the Foodbank are to be extended to Te Aro campus from the first week back after mid-semester break. Foodbanks, tax refund help, and information about a range of other services such as professional advocacy will be available from a VUWSA representative every Wednesday. Te Aro students, look out for posters etc with more information
between now and then.

The VUWSA AGM is coming up quickly, so I want to issue a friendly reminder about Welfare Rep. Groups. If anybody is interested in setting up or revitalising an old Rep Group (Creche Parents? UStay residents – is your hall still completely shoddy?), now is the time to get in touch with Seamus Brady or myself so we can help you.

I will finish off by mentioning a couple of pretty big issues coming up that you should be aware of. First is the massive rise in bus fares being considered by the Wellington Regional Council – VUWSA will keep you up to date about what we are doing in response to this. And second, the government is proposing some pretty major shifts in the fundamental attitude towards employment law in New Zealand, worth is forming an opinion about.

VUWSA: It’s your association.
 

VUWSA is your student association. It is controlled by students, for students.

VUWSA is an inclusive organisation that encourages all students to participate in strengthening on-campus student culture, improve the quality of education we receive, and be a strong voice in the wider community, as a community of learners.

Some talk in last week’s Salient about the lack of student culture and activism at Victoria University got me thinking.

In the last 25 years there have been several mass protests against the direction of tertiary education in New Zealand – one of the biggest protests being against the introduction of the student loan system.

In the last few years, student activism has been almost frowned upon.

Student engagement in issues affecting students seems to be at a low, but as discussed in last week’s Salient, some people believe Victoria University is no longer the vibrant, cultured university it used to be.

As a second year student, I don’t claim to fully understand what sort of university experience students enjoyed, or didn’t enjoy, before coming to Victoria in 2009.  

If it is the case that student culture and activism is at an all time low, then it’s the responsibility of us as students to create a university that is a vibrant hub of culture and activity.

I agree with the editor of Salient – VUWSA must actively engage students in order to be the university of culture, the university of engagement, the university that is involved in wider society.

However, in turn, it’s important to recognise that VUWSA is an organisation that is made up of students, and controlled by students.

Therefore, I call on you to take control of your student association.

Do something this week to engage with the work being done on campus to ensure students have a strong voice, get the best quality education possible, and have fun in the process.

Come along to the Education Action Group meeting (5pm on Wednesday, ground floor Student Union Building), come to the next Student Representative Council meeting (a forum for all students), write a letter to Salient, join a club, or another club, read your student president’s column, run for the VUWSA executive next month.

We must grasp the potential we have as students influence and shape tertiary education discourse and narrative in New Zealand.

It’s imperative we as students come together as a strong collective to make a campus that is fun, lively, social and cultured.

I’m optimistic that if we do this, it will help to bury the stereotype that 21st century students, particularly Gen Y, are a bunch of apathetic, lazy, self-interested New Zealanders.

It rests with us.
 
James
Education.officer@vuwsa.org.nz

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/education-officer-james-sleep/feed 3 http://salient.org.nz/columns/education-vice-president-bridie-hood http://salient.org.nz/columns/education-vice-president-bridie-hood#comments Sun, 08 Aug 2010 18:17:48 +0000 Bridie Hood http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=17755

Kia Ora all,

Class Representatives

Class Representatives. Why do we have them I hear you ask? Because they provide an important democratic role at this university. They ensure that you are getting a fair deal, help find areas for improvement within the university and they provide valuable feedback to fellow students, faculties, VUWSA and the University in general. It is an effective way that students can contribute to the direction of Victoria University!

We have just finished our first week of training, but if you are a class rep and still haven’t been trained, there are still sessions available!

Basic Training Sessions (for students who have NOT been class representatives before):

Tuesday 10th August, 3.15pm
Meeting Room 2, Student Union Building, Kelburn

Wednesday 11th August, 10am
Meeting Room 3, Student Union Building, Kelburn
 
Supplementary Training (for previous class reps):
Thursday 12th August, 3pm
RWW501, Pipetia

Either send your RSVPs to evp@vuwsa.org.nz or if you are unable to, just turn up on the day.

This trimester we have included supplementary trainings, for students who have been class reps before, to work on their communication and decision making skills. These are being facilitated by Glenda Weston, who has worked closely with students before, leading workshops and seminars for Student Learning Support Service and the VUW Counselling Service.

Gettin’ involved

I think Sarah’s editorial last week made a lot of us start thing about the ‘campus life’ at Vic University. So much so I know James is writing his column about this. Over the rest of the trimester there are a lot of things to get involved with on campus, so make the most of them! University isn’t just about studying! Two of the biggies include;

• Fee setting: Oh fun! Remember last year, there were eggs thrown at the VC and everything! Not that I condone that sort of behavior, but it was rather exciting!
• VUWSA General Elections: Go on! Do it! Be crazy! Enter the world of student politics. Or at least vote right? This is YOUR association, YOU choose what should happen.

If all else fails email me, that’s a way to get involved! What are we doing well? What are we doing badly? What changes do you want to see? What new services should we be providing?

<3

Bridie
evp@vuwsa.org.nz

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/education-vice-president-bridie-hood/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president-welfare-5 http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president-welfare-5#comments Sun, 01 Aug 2010 18:18:59 +0000 Seamus Brady http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=17522

For many of us public transport is a daily reality. So is living week-to-week on a student loan or allowance or the meager earning from some part time work.

That’s why the removal of the monthly $99 Gold Pass and increasing all bus fares will only further increase the barriers people face accessing their education.

When announcing the changes NZ Bus, (owners of Go Wellington) said “we accept that a small number of customers may have an increase in the cost of their travel.”

45% of students at Victoria use public transport on a regular basis. That’s not a small number, and they will have an increase in their cost of travel. We’re a captive market and Go Wellington is exploiting that.

Students living in Zone 3 – suburbs like Karori, Island Bay, or Kilbirnie will pay $254 a month, (over 150% more) if they make three trips per day over a week (e.g. home to VUW, then to work, and then home five days per week) and two return fares on the weekend to town.

Those living in Zone 2 – suburbs like Newtown, and Mt Cook will pay $137.76 per month (a 39% increase) if you make return trips to Victoria during the week and go to town twice during the weekend.

How can NZ Bus stand by its comments when students are going to be hit with increases like the above? Our level of service will remain the same. Their drivers will still be paid slightly above minimum wage. Apparently it’s “just our turn” for a fare increase.

VUWSA strongly believes that tertiary students should be recognised as “transport dependent” and as such have access to concession fares that reflect our reliance on public transport, our unique financial, and living situations.

Astonishingly, tertiary students weren’t mentioned once in the Regional Council’s recent Public Transport Plan (manage contract with NZ Bus). The plan failed to recognise that there are students beyond secondary school – often in a considerably worse financial position and lacking the equivalent supportive environment than those receiving current concession fares.

The increase is disproportionate to increases in GST and the cost of living. NZ Bus has shown utter disdain to all students. They have the technology to introduce concession fares for tertiary students. Yet NZ Bus continues to enjoy a considerable monopoly, annual increases in users and company profits.

It’s about time they show some respect to students and take us for a better ride. Keep an eye out for more on this issue in the coming week.

Seamus Brady, Vice President (Welfare),
wvp@vuwsa.org.nz.

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president-welfare-5/feed 7 http://salient.org.nz/columns/activities-officer-3 http://salient.org.nz/columns/activities-officer-3#comments Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:07:33 +0000 Alan Young http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=17341

Dear Victoria Students,

I hope you all enjoyed Re-Orientation and caught up with your friends. Thanks to all those who attended VUWSA Speed Dating, Poker Night Round 1, gigs, and the movie night.

Speed Dating take 2? I have got some people telling me to host another so if I get enough interested participants to email me in my contact email below I will endeavour to host another event.

Don’t forget that if you are feeling the winter pinch for whatever reason come see us at the VUWSA office. If you need a little help in the food supply Come visit VUWSA for a food bank parcel and free bread every Wednesday and Friday.

If you are looking for something new to do this trimester, why not join one of Rep Groups that are on campus? They put on regular events and meetings and there are groups for queer students, law, commerce, architecture and design, Pasifika, international, media, women and disabled. There are contact details and information on the VUWSA website.

Things to look out for:

VUWSA By-Election: Voting opens this Thursday and closes on the 5th August. Check out the manifestos of all the candidates in Salient.

Morning Glory with Alan: Friday’s at 11AM on VBC 88.3 FM. Tune in for more information about all the clubs on campus, and the latest in activities happening around town and campus.

VUWSA Poker Series: Thursday 6PM 29 July, Four Kings Bar. $10 buy-in. You can win your trimester worth of books (to the value of $500). Plus Prize packs and spot prizes. Email clubs@vuwsa.org.nz for more.

Dress Up Day: August 17 Mount Street Bar – Dress up as your favourite cartoon/person/school uniforms/anything you like. Ideas include Harry Potter (wizards), Twilight (Team Edward), Heroes (Iron Man), PIRATES or the guy from the tampon ad. At least 500 people need to attend to make it viable, as it’s always nice to know you’re not the only one who decided to dress up! Check out Facebook for more.

Check out the VUWSA website for more activities and events as they come up.

Alan Young
activities.officer@vuwsa.org.nz

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/activities-officer-3/feed 1 http://salient.org.nz/columns/education-action-group http://salient.org.nz/columns/education-action-group#comments Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:00:44 +0000 James Sleep http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=17345

This is the very first of what will be fortnightly Education Action Group columns. The Education Action Group is the student group, initiated and supported by VUWSA, to engage students around education based issues and to run forums, campaigns and protests.

This trimester, the Education Action Group will be focusing on issues concerning tertiary education investment.

The recent Budget has seen cuts to tertiary education funding, and many adjustments made to the student loan system. Once again, it is another Government Budget that has sparked the philosophical debate: Is higher education a right or a privilege?

The Education Action Group is your student group to have this debate; it’s your student group to run campaigns around these issues, hold forums and protests.

The 1990s is a perfect example of a period which saw Education Action Groups, in conjunction with student associations, mobilising thousands of students up and down the country to protest against big changes made to the tertiary education system in New Zealand, such as the introduction of the student loan scheme.

Should the Government be charging interest on student loans? Should student allowances be universal? Is it reasonable for the Government to cut tertiary education to the level that the university is putting caps on course entrance, cutting tutorials and lectures?

“Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development.” (Kofi Annan, 2001)”

“The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living from the dead.”
(Aristotle)

After considering the words of these well known figures, should we be sitting by watching thousands of New Zealanders struggle to access tertiary education?

Should we be sitting by watching thousands of students struggle to get the best out of the education they have been fortunate to access because of the decline in the quality of education, as a result of the under investment of education in New Zealand?

Ultimately, is education a privilege or a right?

You decide.
 
James Sleep
VUWSA Education Officer
Education.Officer@vuwsa.org.nz

EAG Meeting details:

 
5pm on Wednesday 28th July in meeting room three, level two, Student Union Building.

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/education-action-group/feed 5 http://salient.org.nz/columns/education-vice-president http://salient.org.nz/columns/education-vice-president#comments Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:10:14 +0000 Bridie Hood http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=17144

Hey everyone!

Hope your first week back was awesome! OMG! The start of trimester is soooo much fun! Apart from waiting in line for ages at Vic Books. That’s pretty shit. And wasting one whole lecture going through the course outline. But apart from that, good fun!

Class Representatives

Hopefully by this time your class would have picked a class representative. If not you should get onto your lecturer about it as they are an important part of representation here at Victoria. Making sure you and your classmates get the most out of your pingaz! If you have signed up to be a class rep, thanks! And we hope to see you at one of our trainings soon. If you have any doubts, questions or comments about the process give me an email—evp@vuwsa.org.nz

VUWSA Alternative Student Guide

So fingers crossed by the time you read this the VASG will be getting designed and soon will be off at the printers. Thank you to all the 100 level students who filled out these surveys. We have had some really great feedback from you all and all the lecturers who were surveyed have been contacted and most of them, with the exclusion of a few departments who I think want to kill me, have been really interested in your feedback and will be taking it on board for next year.

The VASG will be launched on August 27th, which is Study at Vic day, so look around for it when you come back to school (as it is released during the mid trimester break) or we will have a pdf version of out website.

VUWSA By-Election

Keep an eye out to see who is running in the VUWSA by-election and make sure you vote for someone (or no confidence if you’re more of a fan). VUWSA is YOUR Students’ Association, so you should make sure your voice is being heard!

On another note, make sure you all get involved in Environment Week; even if you have an argument that is so powerful you don’t need to talk about, create some controversy and get involved! Zack has organised some really awesome events to raise awareness on Environmental issues.

Until next time lovelies!

<3 Bridie

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/education-vice-president/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president-welfare-4 http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president-welfare-4#comments Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:02:55 +0000 Seamus Brady http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=16941

Welcome back! We’ve been working hard over the break so you have a great trimester two. If you are lost our Kelburn offices have moved up one level next to Mount Street Bar and Café in the Student Union Building as part of the Campus Hub Project. You’ll still be access all the welfare, class rep information, services like car parks and lockers, clubs and events from here.

Re-Orientation
The first week back is Re-Orientation, and the VUWSA Clubs and Events Team and the VBC 88.3FM have been working frantically to ensure you have a fun-filled week. There will be a week of gigs, speed dating, poker series and movie screenings.

If you missed your chance to join a club or sports team, you have another chance in the Quad between 12 and 2PM to see what tickles your fancy. Keep an eye out for in Salient.

VUWSA By-Election
Nominations are open for the positions of Vice-President (Education) and (Administration), Queer and International Officer. If you’re keen and hardworking run!

Week Long Events
Check out Zack’s column (hopefully) about his choice Environmental Week in Week Two. Then at the start of August, we’ll be bringing you Healthy Life Styles Week. It will be a week full of things that you can do to make your life that little bit healthier be it through exercise, food, or fun. We’ll be announcing more soon.

Campus Angels
If you’re ever on campus late grab a Campus Angels to walk you home. The service, makes sure students can get home, or to public transport safely. Campus Angels are great amazing people and you’ll find them at Kelburn Library, Te Aro atrium and Law School Library usually from 7.30 PM.

Campus Safety Audit
This trimester the Welfare Team will be working with Caitlin, your Women’s Rights Officer will be undertaking a Campus Safety Audit. We’ll be investigating where you feel unsafe on campus and what we can do as your Students’ Association to increase your feeling of safety while on and around campus. If you want to help out, come and have a chat with one of us.

Specific details about the above can all be found on our website. So, enjoy Re-Orientation, get involved in weeklong events we have coming up and help make your campus feel safer to you.

Seamus Brady, wvp@vuwsa.org.nz, www.vuwsa.org.nz

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president-welfare-4/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/warm-your-flat-cool-our-planet http://salient.org.nz/columns/warm-your-flat-cool-our-planet#comments Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:00:40 +0000 Zachary Dorner http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=16936

Kia ora my fellow students and welcome back for round two, 2010. I am still your ever intrepid Environmental Officer, and lucky for you a couple of projects I’ve been working on are coming to fruition for your cold winter souls.

Warm My Flat Phase II

With another cold, windy, wet Wellington winter upon us I hope you all have appreciated the monthly column in Salient, and the tips on vuwsa.org.nz/warm-your-flat. They have all been aimed at keeping you warm in shitting housing, and I’m happy to announce Phase II coming to a campus near you.

Aside from the tips, if you have a particularly shit flat (ie a normal flat) then you can invite myself and a VUWSA volunteer for a visit. We’ve been specially trained by the clever folks at the Home Energy Advice Centre (energyadvice.org.nz) to work through your dampness, drafts and heating problems. So pop into the VUWSA office, or go to vuwsa.org.nz/warm-your-flat and we’ll come out for a flat warming consultation.

Environment Week 2010

Next week is Environment Week at Vic! Salient will be full of environmental stuff, and there will be many great events around campus for you to sink your green teeth into. Below are highlights of the week – keep your eyes peeled around campus, in Salient and online for the final programme.

Meat Free Monday—Vegan kai for lunch in the quad

Tuesday
• Learn guerilla knitting (or crochet!) brought to you by Nanatech, 1pm Meeting Room 1
• Are we f*cked? A celebrity debate from Greens@Vic, 5:30pm Meeting Room 3

Wednesday
• Stalls in the quad from 11am
• Pot a herb. Bring an empty container, get a herb for real cheap. 4pm, Grow From Here, 50 Webb Street
• Blah blah blah open mic night at Ramsay House. 8pm.

Thursday
• Environment-themed SRC meeting (where you can voice your opinion to VUWSA). 1pm, Meeting Room 1
• A movie brought to you by 350 at some point in the afternoon

Friday—Nothing planned yet. I suggest you plant a tree and pat yourself on the back.

Have a good Re-O week, and see you round next week!

Chur,
Zack

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/warm-your-flat-cool-our-planet/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president-welfare-3 http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president-welfare-3#comments Sun, 30 May 2010 18:00:25 +0000 Seamus Brady http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=16563

Stress Free Study Week

VUWSA’s Stress Free Study Week is back to help you get through your last minute exam preparation and study. During study week (8-11 June) you’ll be able to pick up a free breakfast at Kelburn, Pipitea and Te Aro campuses. These will definitely be worth getting up early for. Come to University between 8 and 10am where you can stock up on all your favourite cereals, spreads, toast, fruits and drinks.

Also returning are the extremely popular free 10 minute neck rubs (by qualified masseuses) at Kelburn and Pipitea. You’ll need to book in a time on the day as places will be limited. We’ll also be visiting the Design School late in the evening during the week to feed them up on deep fried and barbequed goodness to help you get through the night.

More detailed information will be on our website, around campus and in this week’s Salient.

Free Energy Audits

As part of the VUWSA Warm My Flat Campaign, an exciting opportunity has arisen! The Home Energy Advice Centre will be conducting a couple of free Home Energy Audits for some lucky student flats during study week courtesy of VUWSA.

We are running a competition to find the best flat for the Energy Audits and for those who don’t win there will be a chance for you to learn how to do one in Salient next trimester.

Entry forms can be found on the VUWSA website or outside the VUWSA Kelburn office. Entries can be dropped off there or emailed to your awesome Environmental Officer Zack Dorner via environmental.officer@vuwsa.org.nz by Tuesday 1st June 2010.

To enter the competition a majority of the tenants in the flat must be Victoria students. You, your flat mates, and your landlord must also be happy with having photos/videos of your flat taken and to be asked some questions during the audit about how you use your flat.

These will help you cut down on your power bills, keep you healthy and show you ways you can make you flat much more livable. You can find more information about the Warm My Flat Campaign on the VUWSA website and keep an eye out for Zack’s columns in Salient.

www.vuwsa.org.nz

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president-welfare-3/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/acting-queer-officer http://salient.org.nz/columns/acting-queer-officer#comments Sun, 30 May 2010 18:00:22 +0000 Kurt Sharpe http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=16561

Queer musings

Already this year we have seen GLBT rights attacked in the USA, Aussie athletes told to “stay in the closet”, the death penalty for the “crime” of homosexuality put into Ugandan legislation, two men from Malawi imprisoned for holding an engagement party and police violence against transgender activists in Turkey. We are pretty lucky in New Zealand that we have a society that generally respects diversity and celebrates our differences. However we still have some way to go in terms of living up to the decent, equal society that most kiwis expect. The Human Rights Commission released a report that sought an amendment to the Human Rights Act to make it clear that people are protected from discrimination based on their gender identity. It appears that there is currently some political resistance to this non-contentious change to the Act. If you are interested in this issue head to www.transadvocates.co.nz to find how you can get involved.

Thanks UniQ

The cool kids at UniQ put on a great night at the annual Traffic Light Party on Friday night. There are plenty more queertastic events planned for the year so remember to come along to UniQ meetings. Send an email to uniqvictoria@gmail.com to make sure you are kept in the loop.

Break from study break?

Out Takes 2010: A Reel Queer Film Festival runs from the 3-9 June and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. So when the long nights of study and revision are getting you down, head along and catch some of the world’s best queer films. Festival programmes are available from outside the VUWSA office at the Kelburn campus.

Queer Tertiary Student Survey

In 2001 survey results from the National Union of Students’ Associations found that 40% of queer students said that they had experienced harassment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity whilst at university. In 2010 VUWSA and other students’ associations are again asking queer students to provide feedback about their experiences at tertiary institutions around New Zealand. This survey will provide a valuable basis for immediate action and future research for queer and transgender students on campus. The research will give an indication of the prevalence of sexual orientation and gender identity harassment and give an assessment of the needs of bisexual, gay, intersex, lesbian, takatapui and transgender students in Aotearoa New Zealand. Email me at queer.officer@vuwsa.org.nz if you want to know more about this upcoming survey.

Kurt Sharpe
queer.officer@vuwsa.org.nz

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/acting-queer-officer/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president-education http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president-education#comments Sun, 23 May 2010 18:01:15 +0000 Bridie Hood http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=16229

YAY! The end of trimester is sooooo close! So close you can taste it! Mine tastes like Pimms and lemonade, mixed with some Grey’s Anatomy and a good book. Can’t wait!

You can tell its end of trimester time. People crammed into the library, waiting an hour for the computer, people still in the cyber commons at 2am in the morning (I know!). Students are finishing off their essays and beginning study for exams. People running around panicked because they realise they should have done their assigned readings during the trimester instead of just before their exams.

To commemorate the end of the trimester (how many times have I said that now? Can you tell that I’m excited?!?) I have decided to write a ‘Top 10 tips for study’, which will probably be of no use to you, but the good intention is there.

1. Do you readings. Simple, I know, but commonly not done
2. Language students should go check out the Language Learning Center. They have heaps of resources to take advantage of
3. If you are having some major trouble contact Student Learning Support Services or Te Pūtahi Atawhai, they will be able to help you out
4. Draw mind maps. Go crazy, use highlighters and crayons! An easy way to remember lots of information
5. Don’t get drunk/stoned on the day of an exam. It does not appear to help you remember things
6. Remember to take a break from studying every hour or so. Go for a walk around the block, do some star jumps, run up and down Mount Street a few times
7. Facebook has proven, the world over, to be very unhelpful when studying
8. Eat some good kai. As tempting as it is to quick, shit food, its not good for your body. Good, healthy food will help you keep on top of your workload
9. Be confident. Even if you are freaking out, walking into an exam confident is likely to improve your grade!

And finally;

10. If all else fails look to Dumbledore for knowledge. The man is pretty smart.

So good enjoy the last two weeks of trimester and good luck with your exams. No doubt I’ll see a few of you in the cyber commons over the next few weeks.

May the force be with you, always.

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president-education/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/international-officer http://salient.org.nz/columns/international-officer#comments Sun, 23 May 2010 18:00:14 +0000 Alice Pan http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=16228

There are around 3000 international students in vic at the moment and I know that most international students love travelling. And I agree that it is a good change for us to travel around New Zealand when we are studying here. Have you started your trip? Or you have already travelled around? Let me share my last fantastic trip with my friends to Rotorua.

It is a four days three nights trip. We stayed in a hotel called Sudina which is near the lake. At first I didn’t realize there are special packages promoting on the hotel’s website that we booked the double room for $115 per night. Silly us! But it is lucky that when I looked through the website the two days before my trip, I found there is a 3-night break-away package that we just need to pay $80 for the first two nights and $100 for the last one. There is no doubt that I phoned that hotel and change my booking. (Tips: make sure you read through the information of the hotel you are going to book, sometimes, you can save a lot of money on that.)

The flight to Rotorua is so expensive that we decided to go there by bus. There is a bus company called Inter-city Bus, it is running different routes of buses between cities. There are six ticket options: fully refundable-adult, backpacker, fully refundable-child, non-refundable, golden age and student. The price for fully refundable-child is usually the lowest, and then comes student. So it will be a good deal if you buy a ticket with your student ID card. Here is one reason why you should go traveling when you are studying in NZ.

It took us about 7.5 hours to Rotorua. It is a long time that made us so tired. We went to Polynesian Spa as soon as we settled down in the hotel. It is great that there just 200 meters from our hotel to the Spa. We went to Hells’ Gate (mud-bath) and Sky driving in the second day. It was my first time to do the sky driving. It was amazing when I jumped out of the plane at 13000ft. It was a bit cloudy that I felt so nice when I went through the cloud. It was a good experience. The last day, we joined Rotorua one-day trip and played Zorb after that. Zorbing (globe-riding, sphereing, orbing) is the recreation of rolling downhill in an orb, generally made of transparent plastic. Zorbing is generally performed on a gentle slope, but can also be done on a level surface, permitting more rider control. The first zorbing site was established in Rotorua, New Zealand, by Andrew Akers and David Akers. It is great fun! Don’t miss it, if you go to Rotorua.

Winter is the skiing season. If someone loves that it will be a great idea to go skiing in Taupo or Queenstown after final exams! My friends and I are making plans about that. I am so looking forward to that.

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/international-officer/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/seamus-brady-vice-president%e2%80%94welfare http://salient.org.nz/columns/seamus-brady-vice-president%e2%80%94welfare#comments Sun, 16 May 2010 18:00:27 +0000 Seamus Brady http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=15970

Your Student Services

In the coming weeks the University and VUWSA will be undertaking consultation with students about the 2011 Student Services Levy. This is the levy that was increased by 94% last year (if you are a full time student, by more if you are part-time) to $510 and covers services like Student Health, Finance, Disability Support, Accommodation Services and the Recreation Centre.

Keep an eye out for how you can feed into this process in Salient and our website. This is significant as it is the first time that VUWSA (in partnership with VUW) will play a role in recommending what the 2011 levy should be. As the funders and users of the Services your opinions are extremely important and we (and the University) want to know them.

StudyLink Special Needs Grant

If you have no money to buy food and your previously available funds were used up by an essential expense, then you may be entitled to a StudyLink “Special Needs Grant”. The maximum you can receive in a 52 week period is $400 for a single person unless there are exceptional circumstances.

How do you get it? You must be a StudyLink client; you have no savings; you have assured StudyLink you have explored alternatives including borrowing money from friends or family, you can prove you have no available funds (this means a verified account balance from the bank that includes the last 10 transactions made). This must be done on the same day as your appointment with Study link. (The official policy is that overdrafts do not count as ‘funds’); if you have a part time job you’ll need to provide two pay slips.

If you think you meet the above, get in touch with StudyLink on 0800 88 99 00. Just one word of warning: while you are entitled to apply for emergency assistance for a Special Needs Grant or Recoverable Assistance there are limits to how much you can get. As always we can’t guarantee your eligibility, but if you do have issues with StudyLink get in touch with our Lorraine, our Student Advocate the great people at Student Finance can also give you assistance with this and wider budgetary help.

Rumor has it there is a Salient article from 2007 that details further assistance you can get from WINZ. Just Google it.

Tax Returns

We have been getting a great response from my last column about getting your tax back. It’s not too late to still get yours and it’s really easy. We have put the instructions about how to go about it on our website. Who knows, you could be owed hundreds. And you can get it all with out a nasty middleman company siphoning off a cut for themselves.

Seamus Brady
wvp@vuwsa.org.nz

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/seamus-brady-vice-president%e2%80%94welfare/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/caitlin-dunham-womens-rights-officer http://salient.org.nz/columns/caitlin-dunham-womens-rights-officer#comments Sun, 16 May 2010 18:00:25 +0000 Caitlin Dunham http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=15968

One morning, when I was about 12, I looked down and realised that oh shit, Aunty Rose had arrived. After thinking I was dying, my mother screaming hysterically about her baby being a woman while my stepdad got supplies, I got used to the idea and now it is yet another hindrance us women have to deal with.

If you get your first period at 12 and stop when you’re 45, you’ll have around 396 periods a lifetime. If you use a box of $5 tampons per period, that alone is $1980. That’s not including panty liners, pads and painkillers. Australia has a luxury tax on sanitary items. LUXURY? SERIOUSLY?

144 condoms are $3 on prescription. Dental dams are $1 each from the Prostitutes’ Collective. Women invariably end up paying through the nose for basic necessities.

While there’s not much we can do about contraception to avoid STDs, we can do something about not paying for sanitary items. Firstly, try a mooncup/divacup. They’re a silicon cup, with a small tail and holes around the top rim to provide suction. They come in different sizes and are available from Commonsense Organics on Wakefield Street. They’re $52.50, it’ll last you a lifetime (hopefully) and is reusable. They also contain no bleach which will help balance the pH in your vagina.

Secondly, you can make cloth pads. While these sound gross, they’re actually not. They’re flannel on the outside, with polar fleece to absorb the blood and a layer of water-resistant material to stop seepage. Patterns can be found on the internet and take about an hour to make (quicker if you’re sewing savvy and own a sewing machine). Once you’re done, rinse it with COLD water and throw it in the wash.

One that makes me feel a little iffy is the use of sea sponges. They need to be properly sanitised before use and are a living animal – not very vegetarian friendly. But they hold about 40 grams of blood and are probably the most comfortable option as they feel like the inside of the vaginal wall. As long as they are boiled after each use and don’t rip inside you, they can last for about 4 months.

Whatever you decide, just know you don’t have to spend lots of money on something you need. As long as you’re not grossed out by reusing something you’ve egged on, that is.

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/caitlin-dunham-womens-rights-officer/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/guest-presidents-column-caitlin-dunham%e2%80%94women%e2%80%99s-rights-officer http://salient.org.nz/columns/guest-presidents-column-caitlin-dunham%e2%80%94women%e2%80%99s-rights-officer#comments Sun, 09 May 2010 18:19:28 +0000 Caitlin Dunham http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=15734

“People call me a feminist whenever I express an opinion which differentiates me from a prostitute or a doormat”—Rebecca West, actress

The position of Women’s Rights Officer on the VUWSA exec has always been a contentious issue. Why do we need one? What do they even do? Why are they all angry, crazy or lesbian? And where the hell is our Men’s Space?

Feminism isn’t about burning bras and hating men. It’s about looking at society and realising that some things aren’t right. It’s not ok that Fisher Paykel has no women on their high level governance boards. It’s not ok that women are still paid less because of a different chromosome. It’s not ok that women are raped because they wore a short skirt.

I have three constitutional goals to adhere to:

Goal 2. Education: University
To ensure the University provides equity and quality in assessment, teaching, conditions and course access supported by sufficient resources.

Goal 3. Education: Equity
To promote equity for disadvantaged members in access to and within the University.

Goal 6. Public Issues
To promote discussion and action as appropriate, on issues concerning students as citizens.

I am also required to liaise with Women’s Groups on campus and in the wider community. Despite women making up 60% of the University population, we are still marginalised. Ever been a woman studying computer science? Engineering? Hell, even in Political Science there are issues surrounding teaching feminism. The Gender and Women’s Studies programme was cut completely this year, despite having a high pass and completion rate. The University council is run by men. The glass ceiling is not a myth.

There was a Men’s Space, once upon a time. It was requested and they got it. Then, after it was never used, it was taken away and used for something deemed more worthwhile. See Craig, your Welfare Officer’s column over the page for more information.

The Women’s Space, despite being surrounded by construction, is still open albeit a little dusty and loud. Feel free to use it to take some time out of your busy day and read some feminist zines or have a nap. The couches really are quite comfy.

I am not an angry, crazy lesbian. Ok, I can get angry, and when I’m sleep deprived I’ve been known to have meltdowns and go crazy, but on a whole I represent you and do quite a good job, if I do say so myself.
When I ran for WRO last year (and this year – I kept the same campaign promises, so what?) I said I’d make Women’s Group more inclusive. And so far, I have. The International Women’s Day picnic saw people of all genders feast. I’m hoping that people aren’t put off attending Women’s Fest because of the title. I want you all to come – it’d be great to have men making cloth sanitary pads. Women’s Group are just a bunch of people who want to do feminist things and talk about feminist issues, all with a little baking and a friendly vibe. Come along, get involved and have fun.

This week is Women’s Fest. Delve further into Salient and you’ll find a timetable for the week’s activities – it’s bound to be a great time! Salient have devoted a whole issue to this week but just because it has a feminist theme doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read it.

Love,
Caitlin Dunham
Women’s Rights Officer 2010

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/guest-presidents-column-caitlin-dunham%e2%80%94women%e2%80%99s-rights-officer/feed 2 http://salient.org.nz/columns/max-hardy-vuwsa-president http://salient.org.nz/columns/max-hardy-vuwsa-president#comments Sun, 09 May 2010 18:01:39 +0000 Max Hardy http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=15740

This week I will try something new. To keep everyone informed about what VUWSA and I are up to, I am going to give you the privilege of knowing the highlights of my calendar for this week. This will include all those boring things that you may be interested to know are going on but aren’t worth writing a whole column about. Obviously it will not include the regular things that VUWSA continues to do – like quality student advocacy, welfare services like Campus Angels and food banks, clubs and events etc, or the more regular meetings we have with University staff and others.

I hope the new list will give you an better understanding of what VUWSA is up to, and an ability to ask questions when you are interested in anything going on. The list will normally go next to my President’s Column, but Caitlin has that this week, so that will begin next time. To see the events organised for Women’s Fest go to page 33 and for more details about other events and services check out www.vuwsa.org.nz.

From the President’s Diary:

Monday
Joint Student Union Board
2pm , Student Union Building

VUWSA Sport Council
6pm, VUWSA Meeting Room, all students welcome

Tuesday
Student Allowance Review Board Hearing
10am, StudyLink

Campus Hub Student Feedback Workshop
11am-12.30pm, Alan McDiarmand Building, Seminar Room 3, all students welcome

VUW Equity and Diversity Strategy Meeting
1pm, Hunter Building

Campus Hub Student Feedback Workshop
4pm – 5.30pm, Alan McDiarmand Building, Seminar Room 3, all students welcome

VUWSA Cultural Council
6.30pm, VUWSA Meeting Room, all students welcome

Wednesday
NZUSA Federation Executive Meeting
3pm, By Teleconference

Special Meeting of University Council
4.30pm, University Council Chamber

VUWSA Executive Meeting
6.30pm, VUWSA Meeting Room, all students welcome

Thursday
VUWSA Initial General Meeting
1pm, Student Union Hall, all students welcome
Including making sustainability a VUWSA constitutional goal, Police on campus, update on the Campus Hub, and a chance to win a $700 snowboard, $100 grocery voucher and enjoy the BBQ and drinks specials. It is also your chance to make directions and ask questions to the VUWSA Executive.

Friday
Student Finance Hardship Fund Meeting
8.15am, Kelburn Parade

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/max-hardy-vuwsa-president/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/craig-carey-welfare-officer http://salient.org.nz/columns/craig-carey-welfare-officer#comments Sun, 09 May 2010 18:00:38 +0000 Craig Carey http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=15738

Some people reading this Woman’s issue of Salient will not be women. Some will be men. From time to time, some of these men on campus will question why there is a women’s issue and not a men’s issue. They will question why there is a women’s group and not a men’s group, or why there is a women’s room and not a men’s room.

Cultural theory will provide many explanations about why some men feel uneasy with this situation. The fact is though; there are some valid underlying reasons why some men may feel under-represented within the university and wider society. Most obviously, if you are a university student, statistically you are probably female. And how many people have had major trouble trying to get a flat in Wellington as a group of guys?

I am not trying to belittle feminism, nor am I at all dissatisfied that women have fought for and won the position in society they now hold, or suggesting that there is not still a long way to go before full gender equity is achieved. But clearly, there are questions that some men are asking themselves. The answer to why there is no men’s rep. group is that nobody has bothered to set up or maintain one. There used to be a men’s space in the Student Union Building, it was pretty much never used and converted into something deemed more useful. There is no reason why this should be the case. If people feel that there should be a group devoted to men’s issues, they should set one up. There are issues that could be addressed, such as the disproportionate amount of men studying at university. Not to mention the stigma surrounding violence towards men in society. These are the specific issues that the people I have talked to bring up, there may be more.

If people really do want a formal place to discuss and advance men’s issues at Vic, seriously, set one up. It’s not hard. Get in contact with me and I’ll help facilitate this. Massey Albany Students’ Association has a Men’s Welfare Officer on their executive who does things like this.

On the same note, this goes for any group on campus that feels there should be a formal place to discuss and advance their issues. That’s what VUWSA’s Welfare representation services are all about.

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/craig-carey-welfare-officer/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/james-sleep-education-officer http://salient.org.nz/columns/james-sleep-education-officer#comments Sun, 02 May 2010 18:01:58 +0000 James Sleep http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=15513

Wanna know something? It almost seems the Vice Chancellor, Pat Walsh, and his fellow members of the University Council (minus Max Hardly, Conrad Reyners, Fleur Fitzsimons and one or two others) don’t give a shit about our education and welfare. Why? They increase our fees every single year by 5%, and international students by much more (My innocent guess is 7%!). Not to mention they increased the Student Services Levy from around $100 to $500, like, what the fuck is with that?

They increase our fees and student levies and then they go and cut the number of lectures and tutorials we have per week. Ever wondered why your lecturer takes your tutorial? OK. Let me admit that it’s a little cynical for me to claim they don’t care and that it’s solely their fault for the rising fees. Why? The National Government led by John Key last year CUT tertiary education funding (instead giving $30million to elite private schools), and are set to cut tertiary education funding again in next month’s Budget, not to mention slowly undermining interest free student loans. Let me paint that picture nice and clear:John Key takes YOUR money which could be used to reduce YOUR fees and increase the standard of YOUR education and living, and instead gives it to the rich kids who you might find yourself sitting next to. The one’s that seem to think it’s a status boost to say they live in Weir House. How is that fair? Well, it’s not fair! That’s why we have the Education Action Group. The EAG brings together students from a range of backgrounds and interests to fight for quality education and living standards. The next meeting is on Thursday 13th May @ 11am in meeting room three in the Student Union Building. Come along!

As your Education Officer I work alongside the Education Vice President and Education Advocacy Organiser to ensure you’re getting the best education possible at VUW and that your life on campus is an enjoyable one.

Therefore, I am so pleased that over 1,300 submissions were received in opposition to Roger Douglas’ anti-student services Bill. Roger Douglas is once again be put into a box, along with his old ideas, and will hopefully soon be shipped off to some far fetched location, ‘cos, well, he is 72 after all.

Good work to those that have contributed to the fight to retain student services!

Feel free to flick me an email if you have any concerns, and be rest assured things going smoothly on the VUWSA front. Regardless of what other might say in this edition of Salient.

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/james-sleep-education-officer/feed 15 http://salient.org.nz/columns/bridie-hood-education-vice-president http://salient.org.nz/columns/bridie-hood-education-vice-president#comments Sun, 02 May 2010 18:00:59 +0000 Bridie Hood http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=15514

¡Hola chicos!

I know when I enrolled at Vic Uni I knew exactly what papers I wanted to do. I had everything planned out. Then I decided that I actually wanted to learn Spanish and I didn’t like law and then everything changed. Like many other students I have chopped and changed between what subjects I want to study.

For students that don’t know what subjects to enroll in they only have the Vic Uni course catalogue for information on courses. You may be lucky enough to know someone who has previously taken the course, but in general you are pretty hard pressed to find alternative course information.

That’s where VUWSA steps in! In previous years VUWSA has published a magazine called the Alternative Student Guide. Its aim is to give students a real overview of what classes are like. It lets you know how previous students have rated course content, how effective lecturers are and information on course resources, among other things. While the guide isn’t gospel it’s another resource to help students make informed choices about their education.

This year we are planning to go a bit further with the Alternative Student Guide. Previously the guide has only reviewed 100 level classes, but this year we are widening the scope to include 200 and 300 level papers as well.

So in the next few weeks your class representative or a VUWSA executive member should be coming around to your classes to get you to fill out these surveys. They take less than two minutes, so please fill it out! Also be truthful about what your class is really like, we want to give a fair overview. If it really is boring, let us know. If the course content is a bit lame, your lecturer talks too fast or the course requires a lot of hours of work outside of class write it down!

You can look out for the guide towards the end of July!

On a side note, did you hear that a Justin Bieber concert had to be cancelled by Australian police for ‘safety reasons’? Those 10 year old girls can get pretty feisty!

I hope all of your classes are going well and as always if you’re having any education issues, get in contact with me at evp@vuwsa.org.nz

‘Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid’

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/bridie-hood-education-vice-president/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/fraser-pearce%e2%80%94clubs-officer http://salient.org.nz/columns/fraser-pearce%e2%80%94clubs-officer#comments Sun, 25 Apr 2010 17:59:47 +0000 Fraser Pearce http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=15314

Heya guys, it’s that time of the year where I finally get to talk to you. Good-O. So now, what the heck should I talk to you about? As much as I’m tempted to talk to you about cake (which is currently what I’m craving), I’ll try to stay on topic, and talk to you about (the) VUWSA, clubs, and Alan Young.

So where do clubs fit in this VUWSA machine? Well, firstly, as clubs officer it is my job to help keep the clubs up to date, and smoothly running along with Max Hardy and Melissa Barnard: who is our current Clubs and Activities Manager. Another secondary function that VUWSA serves is part of your levy that you pay to the association at the start of the first trimester goes gets put into a clubs funding pool that the sports and cultural committees allocate to the varying clubs on campus. Which means that you, the student, is actively keeping all these exciting clubs on campus. Ka Pai guys btw.

Anyhow, this year there are quite a few fun events that Alan, Melissa and I are trying to get running. The first of these is the VUWSA Texas Hold’em tournament which is to be hopefully held this trimester. Hopefully this will be one among many more exciting events that could happen.

As a side note: A few key dates to note; to those clubs who haven’t affiliated yet, you must do so by the 30th April to be eligible for the first round of funding. To the sports clubs: the 28th of April is the AGM. And to those on the sports/cultural committees, the date for these is the 5/6th May.

Peace out fellow students, and good luck for the second half of tri.

P.S, to the grammar Nazis out there, be nice.

Fraser Pearce
Clubs Officer

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/fraser-pearce%e2%80%94clubs-officer/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/acting-vice-president-education http://salient.org.nz/columns/acting-vice-president-education#comments Sun, 28 Mar 2010 21:18:24 +0000 Bridie Hood http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=14931

Madam Smuttypants,

I am sorry for the offence my wild apostrophes have caused.
I shall try better next time.

Yours truly,
Bridie Hood

The last few weeks have been busy for the Education Team at VUWSA. We have been preparing for Class Representative training, interviewing students for Faculty Delegate positions and we are beginning to suss out a plan for the Alternative Student Guide.

We have decided to do things a bit different with our student reps this year at VUWSA, a brand new year, a brand new start. VUWSA is integrating the representative system at Victoria, from Class Reps to Council Reps, so that we as students have the best possible student representation. Last week Max, Seamus and I interviewed those who were keen to be a Faculty Delegate. A Faculty Delegate is a student who attends, would you have guessed it, Faculty Board meetings!

Their role is to keep an eye on the changes faculties are trying to make and to make sure student opinions are considered on all matters before it. Faculty Delegates are a really important part of student representation here at Victoria. They help to ensure that changes aren’t going to negatively affect students and they help to keep a check and balance on the faculties that make us pay $500+ for a 12 week course.

Another important aspect of representation here at VUWSA is Class Representatives.

I know when I started at Vic last year, my POLS teacher said that we had to elect a Class Rep. He said he didn’t know what they actually did, but VUWSA and the University said we needed one, so we should have one. I know that probably sounds familiar to a lot of you as well. But like Faculty Delegates, Class Representatives play a key role in monitoring your education standards.

If you have a problem with the lecturer, maybe they have changed the date of an assignment or you are just having trouble understanding, concepts because they don’t explain them well enough, your Class Rep is the one to see. They are given training and support from VUWSA so they know how to deal with issues that come their way.

I urge all of you to get involved with decisions making processes at the University. We’re the number one stakeholders of this institution, so we should be having HUGE input into decisions. So run in the VUWSA by-election, become a Class Representative next trimester or email me about what you think needs changing around here – get involved!

Arohanui,
Bridie Hood
evp@vuwsa.org.nz

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/acting-vice-president-education/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/seamus-brady-vice-president-welfare http://salient.org.nz/columns/seamus-brady-vice-president-welfare#comments Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:00:30 +0000 Seamus Brady http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=14767

Last week VUWSA’s annual influenza vaccination campaign kicked off at Te Aro and Karori. This week between Tuesday and Thursday you can get your free shot in the Memorial Theatre Foyer between 11.30am and 1.30pm. If you’re at Pipitea, just pop into the Student Health clinic and make an appointment.

Student Health description of last year’s flu season on campus sounded nothing short of a episode of Band of Brothers.

One student died, half a dozen were hospitalised, students in Halls were forced into isolation, the University warned against attending classes or exams if you displayed any symptoms and began to ready to their pandemic plan.

This is why VUWSA continues to increase funding to the annual free flu shot clinics to ensure as many students can protect themselves. VUWSA pays for the vaccines, books the venues, and coordinates the publicity, while the great people at Student Health administer the vaccines.

This service is just another example of the important role that student associations have always played in the delivery and existence of non-academic services and support on campuses around New Zealand.

In the 1950s they lobbied for, and won better investment in on-campus health services for students, and a stronger focus on pastoral care of students. In the 1960s students won representation on the highest University bodies so that our voice could be heard. In the 1990s VUWSA representatives on University Council foresaw the negative aspects of the new student loan scheme and fought for the establishment of the Student Hardship Fund, which is still here for students when things don’t go quite to plan.

Today students at Victoria have access to a plethora of high quality services run by a bunch of dedicated professionals, back up by strong representation, which VUWSA works closely with to ensure you get the most.

VUWSA continues this in the form of the newly convened Student Services and Amenities Levy Advisory Committee (SSALAC).

For students, we now have equal representation through VUWSA in this new partnership with the University. This guarantees a greater level of student involvement and engagement in the strategic and financial oversight of specified student services at Victoria University (e.g. Student Health, Finance, Counselling, Careers, and Disability Support), and in the recommendation to the Vice Chancellor of the annual Student Services Levy that we all pay annually.

Free Flu Shots, Kelburn – Memorial Theatre, 23 – 25 March, 11.30am-1.30pm and Pipitea – Contact Student Health.

For more information about the Hardship Fund visit the student services website.

Seamus Brady
wvp@vuwsa.org.nz

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/seamus-brady-vice-president-welfare/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/zack-dorner-environmental-officer http://salient.org.nz/columns/zack-dorner-environmental-officer#comments Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:00:19 +0000 Zachary Dorner http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=14774

Kia ora everyone, I’m your Environmental Officer. You may remember me from such positions as the Environmental Officer from the end of last year, and I’m happy to be continuing in the role for 2010.

So what’s crackin’ this year? I might as well ask you the same thing – which I will be over the coming weeks, especially if you are in one of the great green clubs we have at Vic. I thoroughly recommend getting involved with at least one of them if you are the slightest bit green-inclined as you will learn a lot and meet some great people too. Gecko is a great starting point – they meet weekly on Wednesdays at 12pm in Meeting Room 3.

As for me, I’m crackin’ on with environmental issues as they are relevant to students.

Firstly, I’m trying to warm your flat. It’s time to start thinking about how you will cope this winter. If your flat it uninsulated, now is the time to start convincing your landlord correct this. They can get a massive Government subsidy for insulation and clean heating if you’re a poor student, but queues at insulation installation places get very long once winter hits. There’s also plenty of cheap and easy things you can do yourself. To find out more about convincing your landlord and staying warm while saving money, go to vuwsa.org.nz/campaigns, and watch out for a future column in this fine magazine.

Secondly, I’m looking at what we can do at the University and within VUWSA to help improve what is quite a dire outlook for the environment and the prosperity for us and future generations. At VUWSA’s upcoming IGM I will be proposing an amendment to the VUWSA constitution. (IGM = Initial General Meeting for VUWSA’s members, aka us, date to be announced). At the moment VUWSA has eight main goals that guide our very existence (the constitution is at vuwsa.org.nz). I would like to insert a ninth goal of sustainability. That would mean VUWSA would strive to become a sustainable organisation, and promote the sustainability amongst students and the University. I’d love to see more environmental curriculum. Having sustainability as part of VUWSA’s core values is vital given its importance this century.

There are many other things happening this year, like Environment Week next trimester, so keep an eye out, get involved, and warm up your flat. For everything else, there’s environmental.officer@vuwsa.org.nz.

Zack Dorner
environmental.officer@vuwsa.org.nz

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/zack-dorner-environmental-officer/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/acting-queer-officers-column http://salient.org.nz/columns/acting-queer-officers-column#comments Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:00:34 +0000 Kurt Sharpe http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=14539

Kia Ora, Talofa Lava, Malo e lelei, and GLBT-WXYZ Greetings to all.

My name is Kurt and I am your straight Acting Queer Officer at VUWSA, which for you newbies is your (that’s right all yours) Student’s Association. I am temporarily filling in this position on the VUWSA executive until a by-election complete with pledge cards, spending-caps and hopefully some secret recordings chooses your new queer officer – democracy ain’t it a wonderful thing?

As your current Queer Officer, I am here to act as a representative and advocate for queer students at Victoria University. Fighting, alongside a host of crazy sidekicks, homophobia and transphobia on campus, as well as working towards improved access, equity and support for queer students. I work closely with the Rep Group for queer students, the ever-amazing UniQ, which is a queer social/support group for all the cool queer kids and their friends. UniQ was out in the quad all Clubs Week signing up queer students and their friends. If you missed their fabulous stall but are keen to get involved in their movie nights, tea parties, pride week and all the other great events they organise then sign up to the mailing list by emailing uniq@vuwsa.org.nz (STOP READING AND DO THIS NOW).

One service which is coordinated between VUWSA, UniQ and the University Counselling Service is the Queer Mentoring Programme. The Mentoring Programme is available for any student who is coming out, embracing a new sexual identity, is a sexual-non-conformist, or is unsure of their sexual identity. Participants are matched up with an appropriate mentor, who can act as a role model and as someone who is comfortable with themselves, share experiences of their own and help participants make sense of their situation. If you think you would like to sign up to this service or would like to learn more email me at queer.officer@vuwsa.org.nz.

If there is any other issues or problems that you would like to talk to me about feel free to email me or arrange a meeting at the VUWSA office on the ground floor of the Student Union Building. Hope you have a great start to the year enjoying the orientation events, and make sure you get involved in club and rep groups on campus.

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/acting-queer-officers-column/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/acting-vice-president-educations-column http://salient.org.nz/columns/acting-vice-president-educations-column#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:59:34 +0000 Bridie Hood http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=14043

Kia Ora fellow Victorians! My name is Bridie Hood and I am your Acting Vice – President (Education) and also you’re Campaigns Officer. It’s lovely to meet you! Hopefully all you first years are no longer getting lost on your way to class and you returning students aren’t getting too mad at the Laws121 kids blocking the walkway in New Kirk.

I find the start of a trimester to be so exciting (inner nerd)! New stationary, new textbooks for new papers, maybe some people are even picking a new major. The only downer on the start of year excitement is that email that you get from Victoria University:

Dear Miss Hood, you owe the University $6300.00. Pay now.

That’s when the downbuzz hits. And your student loan is only set to grow in the coming years. Not to mention the fact that your textbooks cost upwards of $300, your rent is due, you have no food in your cupboards and you have to find money for the bus to uni. And you get slightly more stressed out when you learn that Studylink hasn’t yet approved your loan because ‘they need more information’, even though you have already sent it to them. Twice.

Less than twenty years ago, there was no such thing as university fees. Tertiary education was basically free. Now students are landed with a student loan bill that jeopardises their entire financial future. It’s pretty hard to put a deposit on a house when you are in debt $40,000 from doing a LLB. Buying a car is a little harder with IRD continusly telling you that you owe the Government $20,000 for you BA. And lets not even talk about the wages a teaching graduate gets.

Students have made some gains in the past few years, like the introduction of interest free students loans, but we still have a long way to go. So if you want to be part of a group that stand ups for students, come along to the Education Action Group.

Our first meeting for 2010 is this Thursday (11th), at 11am in Meeting Room 2. Or give me an email if you want some more information evp@vuwsa.org.nz. We want to hear what you think!

Bridie

P.S If you can’t find the money to fill your cupboards at home, come down to VUWSA, we’ll give you some free food!

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/acting-vice-president-educations-column/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/womens-rights-officer http://salient.org.nz/columns/womens-rights-officer#comments Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:01:21 +0000 Caitlin Dunham http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=13709

It’s hard being a woman. Sure, we’ve got the boobs and the wiles and the free entry to Mermaids on Tuesday, but we’ve also got the pay equity issues and the being silenced and the bloating once a month for, like, a week.

In her first year after graduating, a woman will get paid on average 8% less than a man in the same position. After five years, the pay gap increases to around 12%. This is without taking into account the potential ‘risk’ of getting pregnant – how dare we do what is biologically destined for us. Women are often passed over for high level jobs in favour of keeping the ‘boy’s club’, despite the fact that it has been proven that a female presence on high level governance boards leads to more well rounded decisions. Women are often talked over when they have good ideas because the only good idea a woman can have is what to cook her husband for dinner. Males talk over women in tutorials, meetings, arguments. This has to stop.

Marilyn Monroe once said “What is in me nobody sees. I have thoughts of great beauty. Please, let me talk.”

Women are not out to nag every time we open our collective mouth to shout out against injustice. Against rape and violence in our community. Against unsafe sexual practises. Against anything which can and does set us back in our fight for equity.

If you care about inequity based on the fact that you have a vagina, then speak out. Come along to women’s group (keep an eye out for posters) and help us fight the good fight. With baking, music, movies and other fun stuff along the way of course. Not all of our meetings are exclusive to self-identifying women either! Or pop into the Women’s Space and have a nap, stock up on condoms or dental dams, or peruse the resources which have lovingly accumulated over the years.

I am a feminist. I shave my armpits. I may or may not be a raging dyke. I am your Women’s Rights Officer and I am committed to being your voice. Email me at wro@vuwsa.org.nz or get yourself on the Women’s Group mailing list at vuwsa.womens.group@gmail.com. Don’t forget the join the facebook group – search ‘VUWSA Women’s Group’.

Have a fantastic O-Week, and don’t forget to have safe sex!

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/womens-rights-officer/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president-welfare http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president-welfare#comments Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:00:19 +0000 Seamus Brady http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=13707

This is of course Orientation Week. For the next two weeks VUWSA and the VBC 88.3FM will be laying on one of the best Orientation line ups in many years. We’ve garnered some of the best music, comedy, art and entertainment for you to view, experience and take part in. Make the most of it – it’s a great way to show you the best VUWSA, the University and Wellington has to offer.

If amongst the Orientation festivities you spend your entire course related costs, your first living costs installment or lose your dignity in the Big Kumara/Establishment/Maya/K-Club toilets at 2am on Saturday, VUWSA can help you out. There are a number of services you can access when things don’t quite go to plan.

One of the most valuable services you can access for free is our professional and independent Student Advocate. If you think you have been treated unfairly by the University, your landlord or your employer get in touch with us.

Our Advocate can help you with academic issues regarding issues with your lecturers, grades, course work, assessment, plagiarism and misconduct; tenancy issues – including Halls of Residences, landlords and flatmates; employment issues; financial issues – including dealing with StudyLink and WINZ; or any other general issues you may bring forward.

The University sometimes forgets that students are the number one stakeholders and can act in ways that are detrimental to our time at University. All cases are treated with confidentiality and using the Advocate’s services will not jeopardise you relationship with your faculty or lecturers or negatively affect your position in any way. You have rights as a student at Victoria and VUWSA will always be there to assist you.

There is also free bread on Wednesday and Friday mornings, and a daily food bank that gives out food parcels and further advice if your cupboards or bank balance are running low. If you are studying on two campuses and have classes on the same day at each you can pick up a free bus tickets for the duration of your study.

You never know what you will come into contact with on the bus, the lecture theatre or your Hall of Residence so make sure you get a free flu shot from one of our clinics that will be setting up in early April and protect yourself.

Students’ associations are ultimately about delivering services. At VUWSA, we’re focused on independent and professional advocacy, representation and services that make life on campus easier or more enjoyable for students. For a more comprehensive list of our services and what VUWSA can do for you check out our website – www.vuwsa.org.nz.

Seamus Brady
wvp@vuwsa.org.nz

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president-welfare/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/meet-the-vuwsa-exec http://salient.org.nz/columns/meet-the-vuwsa-exec#comments Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:05:25 +0000 Salient http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=13543

Salient asks your VUWSA exec all the hard questions.

1. What do you want to achieve this year with VUWSA?

2. Best piece of advice for first years?

3. Which piece of technology did you think would be readily available by 2010?

4. If a celebrity were to play you in a movie, who would it be?

5. Best place in Wellington to eat on the cheap?

Max Hardy, President


1. VUWSA should do its bit in ensuring an outstanding student experience at Victoria. I want to rebuild our reputation and make VUWSA a students’ association that students are proud to be members of. I want VUWSA to deliver our broad range of services to a consistently exceptional standard and with a high degree of financial efficiency. I want to see students represented articulately and honestly across the university. VUWSA’s representative structures need to be improved and I want to see us do a better job explaining to students what we do and developing mechanisms for gaining their consent and opinion on important issues.

2. University is not just about degrees; make sure you take the most out of your time as a student and participate actively in the university community. You have rights—if you think something is unfair then say so and VUWSA can help you out.

3. Decent food on Campus. Working on it.

4. Robert Pattinson OR Leonardo di Caprio, circa Basketball Diaries.

5. Sweet Mothers Kitchen.

Seamus Brady, Vice President (Welfare)


1. Increased visibility and promotion of VUWSA and our services on all campuses. VUWSA does a huge amount for students but historically our communication of that has left a lot to be desired.

2. Join as many clubs as possible and go to Orientation events. You’ll meet new people and experience the best Wellington has to offer.

3. Teleporters.

4. Michael Cera but dubbed with the voice of James Earl Jones.

5. Fidel’s $20 pizza and two Heinekens deal. Or if you dare, Oriental Kingdom.

Caitlin Dunham, Women’s Rights Officer


1. A bigger, better functioning Women’s Group. You should all join.

2. Look for a button before trying to push a door open. And don’t bother turning up to class early, you don’t get brownie points for it.

3. Flying cars. Seriously.

4. I’d like it to be Kate Winslet, but it’d probably be Alan Alda in a wig.

5. Satay Kingdom. Fo’ life.

Bridie Hood, Acting Vice-President (Education), Campaigns Officer


1. The biggest thing for me is student engagement. Getting out there and telling students about VUWSA and getting more students involved with our services and events. Within my portfolio I would love for the Education Action Group to become more active this year!

2. You don’t have to walk all the way up Mount Street! There is a lift in the Student Union Building you can use! Saved my life in first year!

3. Teleporters. Man that would be sweet.

4. Penelope Cruz—obviously

5. Midnight Espresso is really well priced. Vego and vegan friendly too!

Craig Carey, Welfare Officer


1. Ditch the bad image that previous execs have had.

2. University is just as much about what you do outside of studying. Get involved in student life. Join clubs and talk to people. Make the most of your time here, you will never have this opportunity again.

3. Cellphone and TV networks that get decent reception in Aro Valley.

4. Caitlin tells me Robert Pattinson, but it’s probably more like Cate Blanchett in drag with a serious look.

5. Yeung Shing Restaurant, upper Willis Street.

James Sleep, Education Officer


1. Along with the student body I want us to achieve some major wins, such as stopping any exorbitant fee and levy increase, and making sure the university listens to students. But the biggest thing I want to achieve alongside students is the retention of universal student membership to ensure our student services (like O-Week, welfare support and Student Job Search) along with student representation are not lost.

2. Chill. Don’t stress. Appreciate student media and student services while they are around. Remember you’re one of hundreds of thousands of students trying to get educated. Oh, and don’t be afraid to skip a lecture every now and then.

3. That remote device which allows me to pause, fast forward and rewind lectures.

4. Anyone so long as it’s not John Key.

5. Oriental Kingdom FTW.

Alan Young, Activities Officer


1. To provide students with fulfilling activities, so please if any students have any suggestions or would like information please contact me so I can meet your needs.

2. Get to know your way around Wellington, and especially around campus, as it makes life much easier for you. A great way to do this is through the Campus Coaches programme, which introduces students to the university with useful tips and fun activities.

3. Amphibious vehicles, but they are not readily available as of yet.

4. Jim Parsons (Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory), he does his role so well he’d have no trouble playing me.

5. I prefer to cook myself as that is the most cost effective way, using the VUWSA cookbook and of course the wonderful Edmonds cookbook. Though A-Roy Thai express on Cuba has always been a favourite.

Kurt Sharpe, Acting Queer Officer


1. I want to ensure that queer identifying students starting university this year have the same awesome time that I had when I left the stereotypical provincial backwaters and came to Vic. I will be making sure that the support, services and social times are in supply. In particular I want to see the expansion of the Queer Mentoring Programme, which I think is an invaluable service for new students.

2. Just because you can go out and drink every night, doesn’t mean you should. But by all means enjoy Wellington, the most beautiful city in the country.

3. Hologram Phones.

4. Adrien Brody.

5. Aaina, Indian Cuisine, 255 Cuba Street.

Fraser Pearce, Clubs Officer


1. I want to make VUWSA seen as not only servicing our needs, but also servicing our wants. By this I mean making VUWSA fun with the awesome partner in crime: Alan Young. We want to have heaps of inter-club events and events open for students’ participation and entertainment.

2. If you’re pulling all-nighters, eat Mi-Goreng or Trident noodles with a strong English or Irish Breakfast tea.

3. Free escalators on the Dixon Street steps.

4. One of the Hanson Brothers.

5. Either Abrakebabra on Manners for decent coffee/hot chocolate, Strawberry Fair for morganisms.

Alice Pan, International Officer


1. Good question. Same as what I said in the student diary: when a person leaves his or her country and comes to a new place, he or she will face a lot of problems and feel homesick and lonely. I will try my best to help them and I hope I can help them feel they are part of this big family which is called Victoria Uni, they are not alone.

2. Be brave to ask for help, all staff and students in this university are friendly, they are all happy to help you when you need it.

3. I thought mobile trading would be readily available by 2010. Jack Dorsey is going to make the iPod become a credit card reader. More trade can be done using phones. It will be so convenient to people’s lives.

4. Hmm… I’m not sure. I read books more than I watch movies. Maybe I will choose Avril Lavigne. I think she is smart and I love her voice so much. I love singing, but I’m not good at it. I used to want to be a singer, but sadly, I am bad at singing.

5. I don’t know whether you guys know about Baozi or not. It is made of meat and flour. There is a Chinese restaurant called Qingdao. It sells very delicious Baozi. I remember the price last time I bought Baozi was $1.50 for two small Baozi. Qingdao is located in Newtown, near the Wellington hospital.

Zach Dorner, Environmental Officer


1. Do my best to ensure my fellow students (you guys) realise that we can have better lives while being kinder to our future babies. An abstract task, I know, but I’m an abstract person. Oh, and act as a strong student representative for student issues and stuff.

2. Have a beer. Just one. And then join one of the great green clubs at Vic. Your life will be so much more fulfilling, meaning you will deserve another beer. So then you can have two beers.

3. Massive Zeppelins (aka blimps) floating around the skies, making air travel so much more sustainable and comfortable (with the possibility of cool stuff like floating libraries).

4. I’d like to say Jude Law, but I fear Rowan Atkinson may end up beating him in the audition.

5. My house. Failing that, any number of dumpsters containing still perfectly good food. Failing that, a community garden such as those belonging to Kai o te Aro in Aro Valley. Failing that, the Lebanese place on Kent Terrace just off Courtenay Place.

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/meet-the-vuwsa-exec/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/thanks-for-caring-more-than-10-20-percent http://salient.org.nz/columns/thanks-for-caring-more-than-10-20-percent#comments Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:00:47 +0000 Zachary Dorner http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=12445

I’d like to start by thanking all those people who turned up to the Greenstravaganza SRC meeting a couple of weeks ago. We kicked the 50 person quorum’s ass, and there was near unanimous support for the climate action and Fair Trade motions.

So, what’s happening post-Greenstravaganza? Well, there are moves a-foot towards making VUWSA a Fair Trade workplace. Furthermore, there is now added ammo for Just Action’s campaign to get Victoria to become a Fair Trade University. This is in line with the Wellington City Council’s recent vote in support of making Wellington a Fair Trade City. For more info check out www.fairtrade.org.nz.

Next is climate change—the burning hot issue that is currently occupying many a nook and cranny of global consciousness. As we (young peeps) will be affected most by it, it is fantastic that VUWSA now has the support of the students to make a strong statement on this massive issue.

Keen for more climate change activism? There are many organisations that can help; including signon.org.nz and campus clubs like Gecko. But wait, there’s more! If you haven’t already seen the 10-20% Pure NZ posters around campus, keep an eye out. (They refer to our Government’s current emissions reduction targets, which the Greenstravaganza said is a crap effort). The posters advertise a fun-filled student march from the University (starting in Kelburn Park) down to Parliament at 12pm on Friday, 16 October. Dress up in kiwiana or dress down in body paint and join in. Climate change is surely our generation’s Springbok tour—only far more important, and far more fun. This march will be our pre-emptive strike before the 350 global day of action on 24 October (see 350.org.nz).

Finally, in Copenhagen this December there is a meeting where world leaders will be determining the fate of the world. A New Zealand Youth Delegation is attending to represent your views on appropriate climate action. I was lucky enough to be chosen to be a part of it—but of course being there to represent you, we need your voice! So watch out for an event at Uni soon where you can give us your message to take to the heart of evil UN conference.

Oh, and I have a Gardening Club now where you can learn all you need to know about growing free yummy stuff at your flat. Be my friend please in Meeting Room 2, Tuesdays, 3pm.

Zach Dorner,
VUWSA Environmental Officer

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/thanks-for-caring-more-than-10-20-percent/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/the-vuwsa-welfare-team-and-you http://salient.org.nz/columns/the-vuwsa-welfare-team-and-you#comments Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:01:42 +0000 Seamus Brady http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=12110

The VUWSA Welfare Team is one of the core aspects of your Students’ Association. It exists to ensure you have the necessary support, services and advocacy during your time at Victoria University.

As head of the Welfare Team it is my responsibility that VUWSA is meeting the welfare needs of its members and that various initiatives get started and are executed well. With the help of the Welfare Officer and with support from the Welfare Advocacy Organiser staff member this year has been an extremely positive one for the Welfare Team and students with more to come.

Ranging from the three-day free flu shot clinic that vaccinated nearly 500 students against influenza, to the creation of dedicated welfare staff member to advocate on your behalf in within the university, to the timely establishment of Campus Angels at Te Aro Campus in light of recent attacks and the growth in the usage of the Food Bank.

There are a few key things to keep a look out for as the trimester draws to a close. The first will see the Welfare Team setting up at Kelburn and Pipitea campuses from the 19 to 24 October running the trimester two Stress Free Study Week breakfasts. Come get a feed of your favourite cereals, toast and spreads fruit, tea, coffee, and milo. We’ll also be venturing down to the Architecture and Design School for midnight feasts of yummy goodness.

Second, the Welfare Team is in the process of creating a new combination of the VUWSA Cookbook, Know Your Rights Guide, and Sex Mag into one publication. I’ve been sourcing recipes from Phil Goff, John Key, Kevin Rudd and numerous other people but need your help. If you have an easy to make recipe flick it to me with a little blurb and I’ll include it in the publication. The final publication will be printed and available as a PDF on VUWSA’s new website.

Also don’t forget about the service that the Welfare Advocacy Organiser can provide you. If you ever have issues with a course from assessment to grievances, or you are having issues with your tenancy or employer get in touch with Seann at wao@vuwsa.org.nz. He will be able to help you out directly or assist you by putting you in touch with other relevant services.

VUWSA Stress Free Study Week—October 19—24 Kelburn Library Foyer and Law School Common Room from 8am. Te Aro Mid Night Feasts TBA.

Send your recipes for the new VUWSA Cookbook to wvp@vuwsa.org.nz.

Seamus Brady, Vice-President (Welfare)
wvp@vuwsa.org.nz

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/the-vuwsa-welfare-team-and-you/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/environmental-officer http://salient.org.nz/columns/environmental-officer#comments Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:00:44 +0000 Zachary Dorner http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=12111

At 1pm this Wednesday, the Greenstravaganza SRC meeting will descend on Mount Street Bar the likes of which has never been seen. It’s purpose is to pass some motions regarding climate action and social justice. But we need 50 students to do this; therefore we need you.

Firstly, WTF is a VUWSA SRC? It is a Student Representative Council Meeting for the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association, What The Fuck. This is where at least 50 students can get together and pass motions telling VUWSA what to do.

So, WTF will be motioned?

The first motion will be asking VUWSA to publicly support the Sign On and 350 campaigns. The  second is asking VUWSA to become fair trade, and lobby for the University to do likewise. After that there may even be other Greenstravaganzalicious motions.

So, WTF are the Sign On and 350 campaigns?

The Sign On campaign is calling for a 40% emissions reduction target for New Zealand by 2020. This target is based on what the latest science says is necessary to keep climate change from being catastrophic. It’s also based on what is New Zealand’s fair share of global emissions reductions. Currently our Government has only proposed a 10-20% target. Sign On needs all the help it can get if we are to see those embarrassing 10-20% Pure New Zealand posters removed and NZ’s image restored.

Many top climate scientists, including James Hansen from NASA, are saying 350ppm (parts per million) is the maximum safe concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Enter the 350 campaign. Currently we are at 386ppm, and increasing by about 2ppm per year. A 40% target will help us get back to 350.

And fair trade? WTF?

Fair trade means giving the producers of products we love decent wages, decent working conditions, and investing in environmental sustainability. Only certain companies make certified fair trade products – many sadly don’t. For Victoria to become a fair trade University VUWSA must support it, the University must support it, and fair trade products must be readily available. We’re already quite close – many cafés already supply fair trade coffee. Now it’s time to take the next step and get VUWSA on board.

Ever wanted to feel like you’re making a difference? Well, this Wednesday you can. All you have to do is show up to Mount Street Bar at 1pm and put up your hand. Greenstravatastic.

Zachary Dorner
Environmental Officer for VUWSA

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/environmental-officer/feed 1 http://salient.org.nz/columns/welfare-officer%e2%80%99s-column http://salient.org.nz/columns/welfare-officer%e2%80%99s-column#comments Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:17:10 +0000 Craig Carey http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=11799

Hey everyone I’m Craig Carey, your new Acting Welfare Officer at VUWSA. Firstly, I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you about the Campus Angels service. Campus Angels are here to walk you home at night if you don’t feel safe, and stop you from being, you know, mugged or something. If you have been thinking about doing so, I strongly encourage you to give Campus Angels a try.

The VUWSA food bank is still running as usual. If you find yourself extra-short of money don’t hesitate to come and pick one up from the VUWSA office, ground floor, Student Union Building at Kelburn Campus, between 12 and 2pm weekdays. They are also available at Pipitea Campus, from room G08 OGB, between 9am and 2pm.

On another welfare related note, it is about the time that many students in Halls of Residence will have their final payments due. If you are having trouble finding the money for this talk to your halls management, they may be surprisingly willing to help sort something out. Also, Student Financial Support & Advice are always there to help you plan for that sort of thing. They have offices at every campus (including Karori); check out the VUW website for locations and hours.

Finally, the VUWSA Welfare team will soon be able to help you get money back from the government by way of tax returns; training for this will be taking place very soon. Keep an eye out for this and a series of other handy events being organised by the Welfare Team in the coming months. If you feel the need to talk about anything welfare related or otherwise, come see me a VUWSA. Hope everyone has a great rest of the trimester!

Craig Carey
Acting Welfare Officer
welfare.officer@vuwsa.org.nz

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/welfare-officer%e2%80%99s-column/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/limited-entry-limits%e2%80%a6-entry%e2%80%a6-zomg11-lol-wtf-jeez http://salient.org.nz/columns/limited-entry-limits%e2%80%a6-entry%e2%80%a6-zomg11-lol-wtf-jeez#comments Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:09:11 +0000 FreyaE http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=11633

Recently I was put on the Managed Enrolment Working Party (MEWP) as the student representative. The MEWP was established by the University to assess issues that would arise if limited entry to 100 level papers was introduced, and provide solutions to many of these issues.

These include the proposition of a process and methodology by which the University will be able to enact selective entry on a “clear and equitable” basis from 2011 (or 2010, though unlikely) onwards. The Managed Enrolment Policy (which allowed this process to begin) was passed in June 2008 at University Council, nevertheless both student representatives on Council; including 2008 President Joel Cosgrove and your trusty little student magazine Salient seemed to let it slide without much controversy.

Students needed to know that this was on the agenda and now looks to be implemented in the near future. Limited entry may sound like a good thing to some people, and granted, I can see the wider economic and political context in which we (and the University) find itself in. However, in saying that, the supposed ‘solution’ to the University’s financial woes in ‘managed enrolment’ severely cripples accessibility to tertiary education.

Sure, there are measures being proposed, similar to that of Auckland University (who recently introduced limited entry), to increase equity for ‘under-represented’ groups—namely prospective Māori and Pasifika students. Don’t get me wrong, I wholeheartedly support this, and believe there should be further support for such students. However, I find it quite a tokenistic approach that appears to allow the University to feel less guilty about what they are doing (in terms of equity, at least).

That is a crime. It’s quite tragic. There’s no reason why every person in New Zealand shouldn’t have the opportunity to study at Victoria University of Wellington. Education is a right, not a privilege. Education fuels our society, it makes it stronger in every way, and since everyone seems to listen to anything that has to do with money, I’ll remind you that it’s good for the economy, too. New Zealand certainly needs to improve its career services for young people, so they are set on the right track post-secondary education. The system as it stands is not perfect, but limited entry will only make it worse—for everyone except the privileged.

Let it be noted, too, that this is a problem not so much with Victoria University, but with the Government, and their priorities (or lack thereof). Thanks, Tolley.

If you want more information contact the VUWSA Education Team at evp@vuwsa.org.nz . Also, if you are interested in this issue, see this recent article from the NZ Herald.

Freya Eng

Vice President (Education)

04 463 6988 • evp@vuwsa.org.nz
www.vuwsa.org.nz

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/limited-entry-limits%e2%80%a6-entry%e2%80%a6-zomg11-lol-wtf-jeez/feed 4 http://salient.org.nz/columns/campaigns-officer%e2%80%99s-column-2 http://salient.org.nz/columns/campaigns-officer%e2%80%99s-column-2#comments Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:08:15 +0000 Sam Oldham http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=11598

Hi. So last week, in collaboration with the newly established Free Palestine group, VUWSA coordinated a week of campaigns themed around the issue of Palestine. On Tuesday we staged a mock IDF checkpoint in the quad to raise awareness of Israel’s routine harrassment of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories. At this checkpoint IDF soldiers frisked students for weapons and explosives, demanded to see ‘papers’ and generally harassed people attempting to move through the blockade. Several arrests were made, and one Norman Penaia was summarily executed for being Palestinian. On Tuesday evening the Free Palestine group held their AGM and elected an Executive, and on Wednesday VUWSA held a Student Representative Council meeting to discuss the issue of Palestine.

During the SRC an interesting point was made by one speaker, that being that the situation in Palestine does not affect the students of Victoria University and therefore does not concern their student’s association. It was further argued that at a time when the University is making major cut-backs to education, including the termination of the English Language major, to devote a week to a distant middle-Eastern conflict is criminal.

Admittedly, this is a valid observation and a fair point. VUW senior administration has for a long time been working against the interests of its students. Since the introduction of user-pays in the early 90s the government has consistently failed to provide VUW with the level of funding it requires to provide high-quality, affordable education. In response the University has sporadically sent a ‘strongly worded submission’ to government opposing underfunding, before proceeding to hike student fees and slash budgets to cover the costs. The termination of the English Language major, and the lesser known termination of the Social Science Research Programme, are part of a broad historical trend towards expensive, sub-standard tertiary education in New Zealand. In addition, under the National Government’s budget tertiary funding will not be increased with CPI equating to the largest funding cut in New Zealand history. The effects of this cut will be seen next year and in subsequent years. Now is the time to fight back. If you are pissed off about the English Language major, or about cut-backs to your course, the Education Action Group meets every Thursday at 11am in the Collins Room. When University Council convenes in September to push through a 5% fee increase for 2010, help VUWSA fight it. We are prepared to do anything to oppose another fee increase, so in September let’s pull out all the stops.

To finish, I’d like to return to the moral of this column. I’d like to quote a random member of the public who spoke from the floor of the SRC in response to the call for VUWSA to focus on education and ignore international politics. He said, ‘students are supposed to be the conscience of society, so don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t talk about something because it doesn’t affect you personally. We are all people of the earth, and we need to fight on behalf of each other.’ Hear hear, random member of the public. Hear hear.

Sam Oldham
Campaigns Officer

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/campaigns-officer%e2%80%99s-column-2/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/activities-officer http://salient.org.nz/columns/activities-officer#comments Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:10:08 +0000 Salient http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=11432

Registration of interest is now open for the position of Acting Welfare Officer on the VUWSA Executive.

The Acting Welfare Officer will have all the rights and responsibilities of an Executive member with the exception that they are not able to cast a vote at Executive meetings.

The Acting Welfare Officer will focus on Goals 1-3 of the Association, as outlined in the VUWSA Constitution.

These Goals are:

Goal 1. Education: Student Support
To secure and maintain adequate state income, welfare and employment support for students.

Goal 2. Education: University
To ensure the University provides equity and quality in assessment, teaching, conditions and course access supported by sufficient resources.

Goal 3. Education: Equity
To promote equity for disadvantaged members in access to and within the University.

The Acting Welfare Officer is expected to work a minimum of 10 hours per week, and should be available to attend Executive meetings. These are held fortnightly on Wednesday evenings.

If you are interested in being the Acting Welfare Officer, please contact Jasmine Freemantle at president@vuwsa.org.nz no later than 5pm, Friday 14 August 2009.

The Acting Welfare Officer will be appointed at an Executive meeting, to be held at 6pm, Wednesday 19 August 2009.

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/activities-officer/feed 0 http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president%e2%80%99s-column-2 http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president%e2%80%99s-column-2#comments Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:10:07 +0000 Seamus Brady http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=11435

Recently my flat of five people told Contact Energy to fuck off and signed up with Powershop after months of grinding our collective gears.

For the last nine months Contact Energy had been providing us with monthly power bills based on estimates, saying that we had not provided them with adequate information to access the meter. This, despite the fact they had both our door codes to get to the meter and were given them as early as January and had repeated calls telling them they have the access and giving them actual readings.

Then when we changed the names on the power account after a flatmate moved out, they hit us with a bill of $1243. After calling them to query this outrageous bill, they revealed that not only had we informed them of the access codes in January, but the PDA’s issued to their contractors are unable to display all the information.

After seven months of that you would expect Contact Energy to maybe, I don’t know, ask us to provide them readings because as a multimillion dollar company they couldn’t read six digits in a box? Even more absurd was the way they conducted their estimates of our power usage by using meter readings of our flat from a year or two ago. Meaning we were getting bills of between $130 – $150.

After numerous calls, we managed to get the bill reduced to just over $600. Our issue wasn’t that we didn’t want to pay for the power we used; it was Contact Energy’s blatant disregard of responsibility as a provider. For a flat that always paid the power bill on time and did everything we could do to provide Contact Energy access to the meter, the way Contact Energy treated us was repugnant and offensive.

Now with Powershop, we know exactly how much power we use, and can buy the cheapest power from a range of electricity providers. For next month our power bill looks to be at least $100-$150 cheaper compared to what Contact Energy was inflicting on us.

But hey what would expect from a company that decided to almost double its directors’ fees while putting prices up. No wonder Contact Energy customers dropped from 529,000 last September to 491,000.

Go sign up today, www.powershop.co.nz.

Seamus Brady Vice-President (Welfare)
wvp@vuwsa.org.nz

]]> http://salient.org.nz/columns/vice-president%e2%80%99s-column-2/feed 11 http://salient.org.nz/columns/wro-column http://salient.org.nz/columns/wro-column#comments Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:10:05 +0000 Caitlin Dunham http://www.salient.org.nz/?p=11436

Kia ora everyone, my name is Caitlin Dunham and I am your new Women’s Rights Officer. Thank you to all who voted for me and I hope I do you justice! As WRO, I plan to continue the amazing work done by Kassie and organize lots of fun campaigns and Women’s Group events.

Women’s Group is meeting next Wednesday 12 August, and if you’re keen to join email vuwsa.womens.group@gmail.com to get added to the mailing list. As our wonderful association president Jasmine is attending, we thought it would be the perfect time to finalise the constitution and set a date for the AGM.

Coming up this trimester is the Reclaim the Night march, which proclaims the right of women (or anyone!) to go out at night without the fear of being raped or abused. It is open to all self-proclaimed women and children, and although there hasn’t been one in a few years it should be an awesome night. Look out for posters a little later in the trimester! If you are keen to get involved at all, there is a public meeting sometime next week, so sign up to the Women’s Group email list and we’ll send you the deets.

The Thursdays in Black campaign to stop rape and violence against women is still going strong. Stalls are at the weekly SRCs (Wednesday) and in the quad on Thursdays. All proceeds go towards charity.

Lastly, the YWCA is having a breakfast on the 17th September for the annual Suffragette’s Day, with the Hon. Pansy Wong as the keynote speaker. Tickets are $25 and it is being held at the Quality and Comfort inn on Cuba St. For more information, visit www.wgtnywca.org.nz or email the Women’s Group.

Thank you to everyone who helped out at the Women’s Group bake sale a few weeks back, it was a huge success and all profits will go towards a charity of the Women’s Groups’ choice.

If there is anything you want done in regards to women on campus, or if you would like information about anything mentioned here/coming up with the Women’s Group, or anything else for that matter, email me at wro@vuw.org.nz. And don’t forget to tune in every Thursday 10-11am for the Women’s Show with me and the super amazing Kim. We play lots of music and try to talk about something topical each week.

Caitlin Dunham
wro@vuw.org.nz

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