The OUSA Election happened and some people voted. We went through all the feedback and took out the hottest takes, filled mostly with people who were complaining about things that OUSA is literally already doing or literally has no ability to do. Lots of complaints for people who didn’t run for any positions. Also: worth noting that the results are not binding.
Should the proposed Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) budget for
2024 be recommended in its entirety to the student body?
Yes: 1192, 66.9%.
Abstain: 455, 25.5%
No: 134 7.5%
Most people said yes but were confused about how to read the budget, and raised a lot of concerns that were very much already being addressed.
“Starters bar? why is it not operational”
Gee, I wonder if anyone has explained this in some sort of mass-produced free print publication.
This is meaningless. Lack of engagement gives no mandate for this at all. If the election
gets less than 50% of students voting OUSA should do it again to seek an actual
mandate
My brother in Christ good luck getting FIFTY students, period, to show up to anything. 50% my ass lmao.
UTSNZ Sports events are becoming unaffordable for students due to the universities
sudden refusal to support such events in recent years as they used to. Would love to
see some support in this area from OUSA.
OUSA actually got that funding back, you’re welcome. Read about it.
ababasbbsb bololololo beebeebee
I’ve been saying this for YEARS.
I don't think was very clear. I would have preferred a video explanation that
summarises this information.
Sorry that we didn't cater specifically to you.
The Douglas B-18 Bolo is an American heavy bomber which served with the United
States Army Air Corps and the Royal Canadian Air Force (as the Digby) during the late
1930s and early 1940s. The Bolo was developed by the Douglas Aircraft Company
from their DC-2, to replace the Martin B-10. By 1940 standards, it was slow, had an
inadequate defensive armament, and carried too small a bomb load. A B-18 was one of
the first USAAF aircraft to sink a German U-boat, U-654 on 22 August 1942 in the
Caribbean.[2] By 1942, surviving B-18s were relegated to antisubmarine, training and
transport duties.
Great point.
Should Audit Professionals be appointed the 2024 auditors for OUSA?
Yes: 1256, 70.5%
Abstain: 408, 22.9%
No: 117, 6.6%
Most people just didn’t know what this meant and said, “Yeah cool.”
hmmm. another fantastic question
i do not understand this im a science student. in future I thing you should explain these
questions better in your referendum
I don't really understand this ngl
Again, great point.
Should OUSA introduce a Cultural Representative to advocate for and support
students from diverse cultural backgrounds?
Yes: 929, 52.2%
Abstain: 286, 16.1%
No: 566, 31.8%
This was a spicy one, but a lot of people called for a Māori and Pasifika rep, even though those positions literally exist already.
There should be a Māori and Pasifika rep, especially considering how Pakeha the
executive has been my entire 6 years here at Otago.
Yes, perhaps more importantly a Māori and Pasifika representative. Introducing
diversity is important, especially if you want to represent the entire student body. This
many ensure that te Triti o Waitangi is upheld in all OUSA decisions.
Think there should be a Māori rep instead
There is.
I don't see how one person can represent all the different cultures if the Tumuaki of te
Rōpū Māori, President of the Pacific Island Students Association, the Clubs & Socs rep
and the International Student Rep are not currently able to do so between them. I
would want to know what the defined roles and responsibilities of this role would be.
Totally valid take.
Alternatively, we could have a designated Maori rep. While this would potentially "narrow" the proposed role…
There literally is, and there have been two Pasifika student prez in the last three years.
This role could be easily filled by the International Rep/Pasifika Rep.
No
Alrighty then.
It is inequitable to suggest otherwise.
Ah, Brother Jebidiah, I see you’ve returned from the chicken farm. Good day!
Up da wahs
True.
Should OUSA lobby the government for legislative change to include a Māori and
Pasifika student seat on the University of Otago Council?
Yes: 1245, 69.9%
Abstain: 258, 14.5%
No: 278, 15.6%
Some hot takes in here.
I’m not Maori, and I honestly don’t understand much about this topic. But I haven’t
seen much Maori activism on campus to require such a big move yet.
Coulda just stopped right there at the beginning my friend…
Maori yes, Pasifika no
I'm not in favour of a Pasifika seat as I believe that inherently we should embrace Te
Tiriti principles. Including Pasifika as part of this would be counterproductive towards
embracing Te Ao Maori
Great idea but you could say the same logic should apply for Asian students and
African students and MELAA as well, Otago has more Asian students than students
from the Pacific islands.
MELAA means Middle Eastern, Latin American, and African for anyone wondering.
on god no cap
sounds gay
fuck yeah te tiriti o waitangi hello
Should OUSA lobby the University of Otago to employ at least one Rainbow
Advocate to provide support to queer/rainbow students within the University of
Otago?
Yes: 891, 50%
Abstain: 322, 18.1%
No: 568, 31.9%
An exact 50% split, fascinating.
Make everything more gay
Oath.
Shouldn't positions just be entirely merit based or democratically chosen? Why do you
have to shoehorn minority groups into positions when they could very well get there
of their own accord. This argument sounds bad, I know
im a rainbow student as well and maybe (considering the issue with university budget)
rather than having an official representative, would be better if there’s an
organisation/club for it instead. less formal to make it more welcomed and more chill
Whilst i support this the cost is large to the uni
Uni ain't paying for this one, dog.
Should OUSA include a Queer/Rainbow Representative on the OUSA Executive
Committee?
Yes: 831, 46.7%
Abstain: 322, 18.1%
No: 628, 35.3%
Lots of comments in here from people saying they’re queer and that they don’t support this, interestingly.
no i dont want insensitive homophobic Chads to take up the role and fuck shit up
I believe this can be achieved through a general diversity rep.
I am LGBT and I think our issues are already adequately covered by OUSA. It should
just be something like having being red headed, we don't need someone to be
designated to represent our interests in a setting where we already have an Equity rep
and OUSA Queer support.
Huh?
Should OUSA advertise orientation week with stylised posters such as those
displayed around the link and in poppa’s pizza?
Yes: 1276, 71.6%
Abstain: 249, 14%
No: 256, 14.4%
Pretty overwhelming support for this one.
wtf this is not a referendum question just fucking do it if you want.
Actually we can’t do that, that’s why we have a referendum.
Da fuck is this and why is it even a referenda question? do it or don't do it but don't ask
us
This is literally the most important issue to me now
I believe this can also be achieved through a general diversity rep.
Uhhh.
Biggest yes possible
Why is this even a question? Seems like quite a minor and frivolous thing to ask along
side much more pressure issues.
Grow up.
Yes. People collect those, which could create revenue for your already struggling
government. Isn't that what you want?
Let's sell drugs instead.
Should the OUSA Presidential position be renamed to the OUSA Big Chungus?
Yes: 589, 33.1%
Abstain: 171, 9.6%
No: 1021, 57.3%
Lots of hate for Big Chungus which, like, fair enough. The biggest criticism was that it was a dead meme. Also people seemed to think that unopposed Pres candidate Keegan suggested this change which isn’t true, and people seemed to think this would reflect poorly on OUSA. As if it isn't bad enough already.
This is the only serious change that needs to be made, to support the student voice.
This is ridiculous and why no one takes the exec seriously
Yeah I reckon fuck it
The single most stupidest political campaign 'act' after David Seymour. So dumb.
do it if you want OUSA to look like clowns…
Yes.
This is crude and quite off putting for the future of OUSA.
Yes.
I think it should be renamed to OUSA Head Honcho, OUSA Dictator For Life, or OUSA
Supreme Benevolent Leader
This is such a pathetic and irresponsible idea, and that is why I voted no confidence in
Keegan, she seems immature, she is taking the role for granted and proposing such
ideas because she is running uncontested.
And yet she won.
Whether this passes or not, it’s a win for chungus
looks unprofessional and it’s not actually that funny. i feel like this would undo all the
hard work that previous exec teams have put in and you would defs not have anyone
take you seriously
This is the stupidest shit I’ve ever heard you think you’re funny but you are actually
just unbearable shut the fuck and stop being a disrespectful asshole this is serious this
is a job and you are representing all of us pull your head in
Hahaha run for it then you pussy
i'm owed reparations for having to read the words "big chungus" in 2023. jesus fucking
Christ
No this is a stupid idea - this sort of thing has got to be kept formal
Have you met the exec
I don't think I am qualified to vote on this measure
As much as I respect Keegan, this proposal nearly earnt a no-confidence vote for
President :)
I beseech those who have proposed this grievous
breach of decorum to reconsider their stance and uphold the values that have been
the bedrock of our association for generations.
Ah, Brother Jebidiah! Again, returning from the fields! Hast thou raised thine barn in successful fashion? Doth the crowing of the rooster not hasten your arrival?
What about Rangatira Nui Chungus to further the use of Te Reo Maori at our fine
university?
Omg.
Should OUSA provide a student bar for students in the North Dunedin area?
Yes: 1400, 78.6%
Abstain: 170, 9.5%
No: 211, 11.8%
Obviously there is still support for this but people still don't seem to know the backstory here. We’ve written about it (kind of extensively) if you want to know more.
Didn't that one guy win president by making this his campaign? Re-open starters?
Without even checking why it was closed?????
I’m pretty sure he knew exactly why it was closed.
Starters should've never closed down, that was ridiculous. I believe the exec and ceo
were hiding behind the earthquake prone building issue because they didn't wanna
invest in making Starters better. Get a student bar back ASAP
Here for this conspiracy.
yes ofc rip starters but ubar is not disability accessible so you could also work on that,
or making a new student bar might fix this issue if you do it right
Not my place to say, methinks Very nuanced issue
Is this Jar Jar fucking Binks? Bro what are you doing off Naboo?
subsidise the drinks too please
The United States Space Force (USSF) is the space service branch of the U.S. Armed
Forces and the world's only dedicated independent space force.[8] Along with the U.S.
Air Force, the Space Force is part of the Department of the Air Force, led by the
secretary of the Air Force.[9] The military heads of the Space Force are the chief of
space operations, who is one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and vice chief of space
operations.
na thats what liqor stores and unlocked flats on castle street r for.
What I said for big chungus but louder
Should OUSA lobby the government to repeal the Voluntary Student Membership
Bill (VSM)?
Yes: 852, 47.8%
Abstain: 512, 28.7%
No: 417, 23.4%
Always surprising how little people know about this and care about it, seems to really have brought out the libertarians in the comment section.
Seriously, you guys aren't doing this already? It's election year!
We are, but okay.
This seems very biased, you are leaving out the fact in arguments against about the fee
being automatically deducted. Of course OUSA wants this back, for more money. For
the large majority of students, is this deduction not immoral
Go home grandpa, it’s nearly bingo time
You whine about not having funding and then you want to retract University funding
because you want to be independent. Guess what. You are a university government.
Get a grip.
Grip gotten, we are actually not a university government.
Should OUSA advocate for drug and alcohol harm reduction for the student
population; including but not limited to initiatives for colleges?
Yes: 1266, 71.1%
Abstain: 219, 12.3%
No: 296, 16.6%
Looks like the question/description for this one and the trains one got mixed up which led to some hilarious results.
The question does not match the description? What do trains have to do with drug and
alcohol harm reduction? (Although, I like trains). But yes to alcohol and drug harm
reduction!!!
okay i think the question and info have been mixed up but yes to both the train and
advocating for drug and harm reduction
What has the argument in favour got to do with drug and alcohol harm???? In response
to the train idea----> high risk low return, how many students will actually use this? -
thinking about luggage and items that people travel with
Could you link in with the Know Your Stuff happenings?
We have been doing this since 2018.
NO. SSDP is completely out of touch with the student body. OUSA are not
schoolteachers or parents. We are adults.
Yeet.
Should OUSA lobby the University of Otago that teaching staff should be required to
have an explicit statement on course outlines stating that all students have the
option of submitting assignments in Te Reo Māori?
Yes: 876, 49.2%
Abstain: 369, 20.7%
No: 536, 30.1%
The big call here was “okay well who pays to staff this”, but the question is actually just asking if it should be in the course outline - it’s already an option.
Who's going to pay to make sure staff are able to mark assignments in Te Reo Maori?
Seems expensive
I think this should be a goal of the university to reach within a timeframe that is
reasonable to be able to ensure this is done properly - I think assignments should be
able to be submitted in Te reo but it should be ensured that people aren't negatively
affected by this - be it with their marks themselves by poor translation or marking, or
by others having to then wait ages for their results
A policy already exists in regards to allowing all assignments to submit their work in te
reo Māori. I am one of those students submitting my work in te reo, outside of Te
Tumu. The University of Otago is seriously under-resourced to facilitate this… Therefore, I argue that this should not be the focus of lobbying but rather I encourage you to interview students who are submitting their work in te reo Māori to identify the areas require advocating.
I think the point is just if it should have to be in the course outline
we already do.... in real departments like history department
Haha Chornobyl.
Should OUSA lobby the University of Otago to consult with students of the relevant
department prior to the announcement of papers and programme cuts in that
department?
Yes: 1339, 75.2%
Abstain: 255, 14.3%
No:187, 10.5%
Obvious support
maybe this could have saved geology :(
Pour one out.
it would be nice to know what the fuck is going on, thanks.
Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes that form the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus[1] of
the subfamily Crotalinae (the pit vipers). All rattlesnakes are vipers. Rattlesnakes are
predators that live in a wide array of habitats, hunting small animals such as birds and
rodents.
I am a first year international student whose degree is half languages + cultures, one of
the departments that has had cuts. I love Otago and I don't regret coming here but it
would have been helpful to know that my program of choice was facing cuts before I
moved across the planet to study it.
Big L.
yea u should but also like just do it and stop asking me. these are basic fucking things
that you should aready be doing. twats.
Should OUSA lobby the University of Otago to include more Māori and Pasifika
awards in the Blues and Golds awards?
Yes: 1053, 59.1%
Abstain: 379, 21.3%
No: 349, 19.6%
HELLLL TO THE YESSSSSSSS!!!! I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY OUSA DID NOT
THINK OF THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
We did, that's why it’s on here.
Awards should be given to those who deserve them and who have worked hard for
them rather than those rather then meeting diversity criteria. Why should some.miss
out on opportunities because for their race?
In the name of diversity, applying this logic should then apply for Asian students as
well.
idk anything about blues and golds
pls stop asking me dumb questions. You need to do things that include everyone
Should OUSA lobby the University of Otago to provide sustainable food waste bins
alongside recycling/landfill bins on campus?
Yes: 1292, 72.5%
Abstain: 203, 11.4%
No: 286, 16.1%
Love how many people were concerned about the smell.
The uni should invest in pig farming - lots of money (#nomorebudgetcuts), and they eat
everything so no food waste. We should also look into reducing food waste in
residential colleges.
We’ve already got a commerce department full of them! Nah, we can’t train law enforcement without a licence
I am afraid of mould. But like the Earth is a cutie and deserves to be looked after
A good idea in theory but it would have to be done In a way to minimize smells.
already stinks of greggs on campus, no more smelly shit please
Compost bins on campus would be very smelly and attract rats.
Stinky
Should OUSA introduce an engagement executive member to run the OUSA
Executive Instagram account and promote engagement with OUSA Executive
Initiatives?
Yes: 721, 40.5%
Abstain: 323, 18.1%
No: 737, 41.4%
The big complaints here were along the lines of “why are you making a new position for this when it's already your job” and I think the point is that the OUSA Exec only has access to their channels, not the actual OUSA channels. Nobody runs it now, nobody is paid for it.
is this not a social media manager? isn't that what critic and planet media are for?
God no, please no, don’t make me fucking do that I would rather die.
Da fuck you already have so many comms and marketing staff, why are they not doing
their job, you're a students association and staff should be on board with that
A hedgehog is a spiny mammal of the subfamily Erinaceinae, in the eulipotyphlan
family Erinaceidae. There are seventeen species of hedgehog in five genera found
throughout parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and in New Zealand by introduction.
There are no hedgehogs native to Australia and no living species native to the
Americas. However, the extinct genus Amphechinus was once present in North
America. Hedgehogs share distant ancestry with shrews (family Soricidae), with
gymnures possibly being the intermediate link, and they have changed little over the
last fifteen million years.[2] Like many of the first mammals, they have adapted to a
nocturnal way of life.[3] Their spiny protection resembles that of porcupines, which
are rodents, and echidnas, a type of monotreme.
I mean, who runs it now? How are they paid? You aren't giving enough information.
This is the point.
Should OUSA support the University of Otago Sustainability Office to source
sustainable transport options (such as a train) running between Dunedin and
Christchurch at key times of the year?
Yes: 1344, 75.5%
Abstain: 200, 11.2%
No: 237, 13.3%
Choo choo!
eco-friendly version of the undie 500
TraAAaaAaaaain!!!!!!!
What about invercargill? We seem to get left out every year at the Invercargill campus
Fuck Invercargill.
yeahh — maybe before investing into it. could do a poll or smth to estimate the number
of students who might use the service
What do you think you’re doing right now?
TRAIN GOOD
Train: Choo Choo Deer: 0_0 Train: Chooooooooooooo! Deer: *pink mist*
Bestie you are so right about this…. If we cant bring back the Undie Five Hundie, give us a train.
PLEASE GIVE ME BACK TRAINS GOD PLEASE
Not many people live in Christchurch compared to everywhere else in the country.
People would still fly a lot so not worth the cost
🙁
train cool
PLEASE I AM BEGGING YOU
We want trains. trains rule motherfuckers.
This isn't your decision. This is something that the DCC should plan out. Stop
pretending that this is Thomas the Tank Engine because unless you're building the
railroad yourself I don't care.
Sixteen tons posting.