Execrable

by Julia Hollingsworth | 3:47 am 28/06/2010

The first OUSA meeting of the year (well, the first Critic deemed worthy of attendance) saw the room brimming with as much excitement as a primary school dance. The girls and boys were even seated on opposite sides of the room.

Chirpy stories were swapped, but best of all was Education Officer Stephanie Reader’s ecstatic proclamation that her new note-taking job would “pay her to go to class.” After this President Harriet Geoghegan, practically glowing in a white and beige number, announced the night’s perks: a Radio One card, and the promise of a free lunch.

Clubs and Socs Representative Daniel Stride took the floor to read his Affiliation policy, which changes the percentage of members in a club that are required to be affiliated with the University. Stride then described his worst nightmare: a world in which Otago culture degenerates into a life split between Uni and the couch at home. Just as the mood grew sombre, Dan perked up the Exec members with his noble dream, in which all students belong to a club (and presumably either give up Uni, or the couch, or both). Dan’s speech was hailed by the other Exec members as “moving” and “epic.” Thankfully, it having been a year in the works, the policy was passed, and much happy dancing and fist pumps from Dan ensued (and you think we’re joking …).

Harriet then passed a motion that the minutes and reports from external committees and boards should be submitted to the appropriate internal committee, ensuring greater transparency. A “flow chart of death,” or rather a list of the committees, was proposed. Who can blame them, flowcharts are fun.

Andrew Geddis was then reappointed as head of Planet Media (the company that OUSA owns that runs Radio 1 and this esteemed publication) after a brief discussion in which it was decided that the options were Geddis, or no one. No one still gave Geddis a serious run for his money.

A motion was then passed about buckets, which Critic didn’t quite catch due to violent hunger pains. Somalian Pirates, along with International Students’ Representative Art Kojarunchitt, the “resident pirate,” were found responsible for the mysterious disappearance of some O Week packs. Shortly afterwards, the meeting went into a “strict committee” to discuss the budget, and Critic was kicked out. Thank God.

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