Archive

A Leap of Faith Into the Group of Death

Posted 4:50pm Sunday 6th April 2014 by Daniel Lormans

To the lightweight, 3D-printed extreme sports desk and we all know that New Zealand is a popular destination for extreme sports junkies. However, for some people, bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating and flirting with Austrian backpackers in Queenstown for a weekend is just not extreme enough Read more...

Overly Keen Scarfie Makes App to Pull

Posted 4:50pm Sunday 6th April 2014 by Emily Draper

A new social networking iPhone app made for Scarfies has been launched across Dunedin. The app, called KEEN, is the brainchild of Auckland University student Philip Chen, who was later joined by Canterbury student Nelson Shaw and Otago student Laxman Popli. KEEN is based around a simple premise: if Read more...

Research Leads to "Pleasing ... Sustained Excellence"

Posted 4:50pm Sunday 6th April 2014 by Nina Harrap

The University has risen 20 places and remains top among New Zealand’s research institution rankings after coming 67th in the 2013 Nature Publishing Index Asia-Pacific. The index ranks nations and institutions on the number of research articles they put out each year and the number of which are Read more...

OUSA Hyde No More Tickets to Keg Party

Posted 4:50pm Sunday 6th April 2014 by Josie Cochrane

General admission Hyde Street tickets sold out in record time last week, with the 1118 tickets available gone within two minutes of release. 3500 tickets were available with priority going to Hyde Street residents, their friends and residents on surrounding streets, and the remaining 1118 being sold Read more...

No Goodbye to By-Elections

Posted 4:50pm Sunday 6th April 2014 by Claudia Herron

The resignation of Education Officer Jordan Taylor has prompted the start to what promises to be another year of by-election folly. While the nominees include current Recreation Officer Henri Faulkner, which may see a shuffle around of the Executive, there are also a number of fresh faces. Should Read more...

Execrable | Issue 7

Posted 4:50pm Sunday 6th April 2014 by Claudia Herron

This week’s Executive meeting was more akin to a marathon, clocking in at nearly three hours long, with a disappointingly large amount of the meeting taking part in Committee of the Whole, which Critic does not have the right to report on. Despite this, Ruby competently chaired the meeting Read more...

On-License Opposed for Yet Another Dunedin Venue

Posted 4:50pm Sunday 6th April 2014 by Claudia Herron

Yet another popular Dunedin venue is risking closure after its on-licence expired and a new application was opposed by the Police and the Medical Officer of Health. Popular music venue Queens Bar at Queens Garden will face a hearing before the Dunedin District Licencing Committee on 11 April where Read more...

Fear and Loathing in Ukraine

Posted 7:01pm Sunday 30th March 2014 by Mariya Semenova

One of the big things on the news in the last few months has been the protests and revolution in Ukraine, followed by the Russian annexation of the Ukrainian region of Crimea. Here I will bravely attempt to give you a crash course in that recent Ukrainian history. Having lived in New Zealand for the Read more...

Politweets | Issue 06

Posted 7:01pm Sunday 30th March 2014 by Carys Goodwin

#cheeserolls The Internet Party might have to watch its back; the Hogwarts Party could steal a considerable chunk of the ‘nerd’ voter base Banter Novelty Hekia Parata account has really enjoyed this week’s scandal The more you know, I guess. Read more...

Greatest Hits / Greatest Shits | Issue 06

Posted 7:01pm Sunday 30th March 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Greatest HitsThis week has seen the rise of #nomakeupselfies across the world. Raising $3 million for cancer research, the trend has occupied Facebook, the media, and, surprisingly, Parliament. I followed Louise Upston’s no-makeup Twitter trail, with Metiria Turei and Holly Walker offering selfies Read more...

Young Politician | Issue 06

Posted 7:01pm Sunday 30th March 2014 by Nyssa Payne-Harker

Do you believe that technologies such as 3D printing and solar technology have the potential to change the world and opportunities for New Zealand? Or do you want to find out more about how they could? Young Greens certainly do and this week, Tuesday 7.30pm in Moot Court, we will be welcoming Read more...

Critic tackles election year | Issue 6

Posted 7:01pm Sunday 30th March 2014 by Carys Goodwin

When it comes to election year, the Otago politics department likes to get involved. We’re only really relevant once every three years, so it’s fairly exciting to get the chance to appeal to more than eager freshers in POLS102. That’s why this week is dedicated to an Otago initiative called Vote Read more...

Bayern Munich Favourites to Make Third Final Appearance in a Row

Posted 7:01pm Sunday 30th March 2014 by Daniel Lormans

To the shiny silver football desk and the UEFA Champions League, which, since 1992, has been the elite competition in European club football. Last year’s winners Bayern Munich pocketed a cool $100 million from the competition, so there is a big financial incentive to winning as well as the prestige Read more...

Influx of Influenza Flew In

Posted 7:01pm Sunday 30th March 2014 by Mass Cralk

The Emergency Department at Dunedin Hospital has seen a number of people admitted who present symptoms of Bird Flu, which comes on the heels of a recent visit to Dunedin by a group of Chinese bioterrorists. Bird flu is caused by an influenza virus that originally occurs in animals and can Read more...

SJS - Sycamore Jovially Sympathises

Posted 7:01pm Sunday 30th March 2014 by Laura Munro

Job-seeking tertiary students in Otago may be in for a weary hunt after student earnings, generated through Student Job Search, declined by six per cent in the early months of 2014, and overall earnings dropped by $700,000 in 2013. Total earnings of $7.353 million in 2013 were 8.6 per cent lower Read more...

Support Shows Cull Not UNESCOrted in Literature Bid

Posted 7:01pm Sunday 30th March 2014 by Emily Draper

Dunedin has taken a major step in becoming New Zealand’s home of literature after Mayor Dave Cull last week sent through a bid to become a UNESCO City of Literature. UNESCO only permits one City of Literature per country, and Cull’s bid aims to establish Dunedin as just that. A successful bid Read more...

Proctology

Posted 7:01pm Sunday 30th March 2014 by Claudia Herron

Disgruntled moteliers and neighbours – and trampolines – are the latest victims of the plague of rowdy Scarfies, making this week’s Proctology look like an episode of Neighbours at War. Known to some as “The Tavern,” a student establishment in Woodhaugh has taken remembering their Read more...

Ross Creek Zombie Apocalypse Run Forecasted

Posted 7:01pm Sunday 30th March 2014 by Emily Draper

The very existence of the 126,000 men, women, children and Scarfies in Dunedin is under threat; the Zombie apocalypse is on its way. 18 May will see the Walking Dead become the Running Dead in a five-kilometre obstacle course around Ross Creek Reserve designed to raise funds for the charity ChatBus, Read more...

Dunedin Renamed Shangedin, Shanghai of the South

Posted 7:01pm Sunday 30th March 2014 by Thomas Raethel

The University of Otago has secured a groundbreaking relationship with a Chinese University, which is likely to grant access to China’s lucrative medical research sector. Shanghai’s Jiao Tong University consistently ranks among the top five universities within mainland China and after signing a Read more...

Noise Complaint Met With Dignified Silence

Posted 7:01pm Sunday 30th March 2014 by Claudia Herron

The filming of a carpet commercial at a View Street flat has incorrectly been associated with a number of noise complaints, despite the flat having a history of noise problems with neighbours. The ODT reported on Friday 14 March that the filming of a Godfrey Hirst Carpet Commercial at the Read more...

Females Find Faulty Floor, Fittings & Faeces In Filthy Flat

Posted 7:01pm Sunday 30th March 2014 by Josie Cochrane

Another story of appalling flat conditions and an inconsiderate landlord has recently faced the media spotlight, with five Dunedin students presenting the state of their flat on Campbell Live last week. The story has been strongly disputed by the flat’s landlord and ex-tenants, who say the girls’ Read more...

Letting the Monkeys Out

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 23rd March 2014 by Josie Cochrane

There are at least two sides to every tale … especially one spanning over several years, involving high profile business owners, a secret Facebook page and a potential police cover-up. The ODT have told one side of the story, but after Critic was given access to the private Facebook discussion group Read more...

Politweets | Issue 05

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 23rd March 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Tau Henare goes wild with this hashtag. Clare looks towards a new dairy product for the next parliamentary drama. Green MPs target Key's memory loss. Probably not the best use of your time, Jacinda. Yes, because those two parties agree Read more...

Statistics

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 23rd March 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Early last week, a new Herald DigiPoll was released, placing National at 50.8 per cent, Labour at 29.5 per cent, Greens at 13.1 per cent, and NZFirst at 3.6 per cent. Such polls should definitely be taken with a grain of salt, but should this translate to an election platform (disclaimer: I take no Read more...

Greatest Hits / Greatest Shits | Issue 05

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 23rd March 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Greatest HitsOn Wednesday morning a new set of changes to the electoral law was passed. While there is considerable criticism about a number of aspects, there is a particular redeeming feature that will finally catapult our elections into modernity: now you can enrol to vote online. For those of us Read more...

Young Politician | Issue 05

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 23rd March 2014 by Guy McCallum

For ACT, making a difference is what we’re interested in. Not disrupting debate, like Young Labour’s twit who wrote in this column last. There are people who work for nothing, providing fine services to the vulnerable and voiceless, and he thinks making a difference is following John Key about, Read more...

Critic tackles election year | Issue 5

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 23rd March 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Last week, Critic’s most beloved Tertiary Education Minister opened up the university council chat once more. National has been no stranger to the evolving relationship between student participation and our university overlords, and the Education Amendment Bill (number two) is no exception. We first Read more...

I Wish I Could Play for Both Teams

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 23rd March 2014 by Daniel Lormans

First, let’s go to the rich mahogany rugby desk where we find lots of excuses for the Highlanders suffering an unexpected home loss to the Force last weekend. A narrow two-point loss will have knocked their confidence a bit but it was close and every cloud has a silver lining (and all those other Read more...

Execrable - Resignation & Donation | Issue 5

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 23rd March 2014 by Claudia Herron

This week’s OUSA Executive meeting had a climatic end, with Education Officer Jordan Taylor announcing his resignation from the Executive. Critic’s last Execrable highlighted Jordan’s “sheer incompetence shown in his organising of Sex Week,” and that he was “already following a very similar pattern Read more...

BCom Student Convicted of Class B Drug Supply

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 23rd March 2014 by Emily Draper

A University of Otago student previously convicted of selling Ritalin to other students has had his conviction quashed in the Court of Appeal, after his co-offender was discharged without conviction after admitting to the same offence. The Court of Appeal last week revealed its decision to discharge Read more...

Go Card Makes Bus Go Far

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 23rd March 2014 by Josie Cochrane

The recent trial of a 25 per cent discount on Dunedin bus services is “proving pretty successful” says Otago Regional Council (ORC) Chairman, Stephen Woodhead. A noticeable increase in patronage means the discount trial will continue until 30 April 2014, after which the Council will decide whether Read more...

No Chain Smoking for Queen

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 23rd March 2014 by Claudia Herron

NORML have further questioned the boundary of the University’s Smoke-free policy by looking to an archaic property right known as the Queen’s Chain that considers riverbanks to be public property. In his repeated attempts to “break down the policy,” Otago NORML spokesman Abe Grey contacted Read more...

Red Bull Gives Red Bull,

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 23rd March 2014 by Claudia Herron

Three Otago students have beat out thousands of teams from all over the world after being selected to compete in a seven-day mission across Europe using only Red Bull as currency. Red Bull Can You Make It positions 100 teams from all over the world in London, Paris, Milan and Vienna with a case of Read more...

ORC Foot $100K Footbridge

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 23rd March 2014 by Laura Munro

An unforeseen $100,000 is to be spent by the Otago Regional Council (ORC) on installing a temporary footbridge across the Leith as part of the flood protection works, causing further disruption to staff and students. The ORC is currently in the middle of a $5.4 million flood protection scheme in the Read more...

Periodic Relationship Tabled at AUT, Too Much for Otago

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 23rd March 2014 by Josie Cochrane

Associate Professor Allan Blackman, a lecturer for Otago’s Department of Chemistry since 1991, resigned from the University in December last year to take up a position at Auckland University of Technology’s School of Applied Sciences. Earlier that year, Blackman became engaged to an Otago student Read more...

Synthetic cannabinoids

Posted 2:59pm Sunday 16th March 2014 by Claudia Herron

Psychoactive substances are the active ingredients in party pills, energy pills and herbal highs. They are like any other drug, with many people experiencing problems of addiction. The Psychoactive Substances Act commenced on 18 July 2013 and regulates the importation, manufacture and supply of Read more...

The FIFA World Cup countdown begins

Posted 2:59pm Sunday 16th March 2014 by Daniel Lormans

The FIFA World Cup (don’t make me say “soccer”) returns to South America this year with hosts Brazil opening the tournament against Croatia in Sao Paulo on 12 June. The final will be played on 13 July in Rio de Janeiro if the centrepiece Estadio do Maracana is ready. Preparations for the Read more...

Politweets | Issue 04

Posted 2:59pm Sunday 16th March 2014 by Carys Goodwin

3 News reporter asks the real questions – where’s John Key’s cat? Cunliffe appears to be doing National’s job for them. Burn. Critic wonders what 1996 RWC Henare is referring to. That would be insider trading. Kevin Read more...

Greatest Hits / Greatest Shits | Issue 04

Posted 2:59pm Sunday 16th March 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Greatest HitsIt was very tempting to award Greatest Hit to John Key for choosing 20 September as the election date, as a few Critic staff were recipients of healthy iPredict payouts (myself included); but in the interest of providing students with something a little better than “should’ve got on the Read more...

Young Politician | Issue 04

Posted 2:59pm Sunday 16th March 2014 by Staff Reporter

I’m new to Dunedin, so naturally, I’ve gone to start my first of many years at Otago in a hall. When you arrive to your particular hall, they will most probably have a number of initiations for you; designed to break barriers, reduce homesickness, and make new friends. But there was one thing I did Read more...

Critic tackles election year | Issue 04

Posted 2:59pm Sunday 16th March 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Finally, the election date has been announced: 20 September. Bring on the policy releases, campaign ads, catchy slogans, and the inevitable rhetorical fuck-ups. It’s time to cut through the empty statements about student support and “the best education ever” and see what’s actually in writing. This Read more...

NCO spells end for party

Posted 2:59pm Sunday 16th March 2014 by Josie Cochrane

Over half of the 382 noise complaints made to the Dunedin City Council last month were from Dunedin North, with 94 per cent of the complaints relating to noise from stereos. This is the highest number of complaints in a single month since February 2010 and coincides with the influx of students back Read more...

Ben Sherman pushes Paul Smith to Fringe

Posted 2:59pm Sunday 16th March 2014 by Josie Cochrane

The 2014 Dunedin Fringe Festival has arrived, with over 300 guests attending the opening Festival Gala and the Polsen Higgs Comedy Club. The Dunedin Fringe Festival, funded by the Dunedin City Council, Otago Community Trust and Creative NZ, is “an awesomely creative grassroots event that wouldn’t be Read more...

Proctology | Issue 04

Posted 2:59pm Sunday 16th March 2014 by Claudia Herron

This week in Proctology saw someone set-up Campus Watch to Police – by divulging examples of the former’s “nefarious” behaviour to the latter. A woman, who locked her keys in her car on Albany Street, was attended to by Campus Watch with “some breaking-in gear” to assist her cause. The Police were Read more...

Humanities enrolments falling mean fewer in retail

Posted 2:59pm Sunday 16th March 2014 by Josie Cochrane

The University has seen a 1.9 per cent decline in enrolments from 2012 to 2013, with the decline “overwhelmingly concentrated in the Division of Humanities” according to the 2013 End of Year Financial Review. The drop in humanities students accounted for 83 per cent of the overall drop in student Read more...

“No upper limit” on DCC hotel expenditure (or height)

Posted 2:59pm Sunday 16th March 2014 by Josie Cochrane

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed by the Dunedin City Council and Betterways Advisory Ltd, the developers of the proposed $100 million waterfront hotel. The agreement means both parties will now work together on a new design, in order to get the contentious project underway. Read more...

Inferno of injustice in archway four

Posted 2:59pm Sunday 16th March 2014 by Emily Draper

The overheating of the Archway 4 Lecture Theatre is cause for concern, a sentiment echoed by many disgruntled students and teachers who are suffering in Archway 4’s record temperatures. According to Law Lecturer Andrew Geddes, “current heat problems in Archway 4 make it an environment in which Read more...

Young Politician | Issue 03

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 9th March 2014 by Staff Reporter

Liam Kernaghan was supposed to write this, but being distracted by pipe band and dancing Shetland ponies, he was too busy to meet the deadline. As his “trigger-happy puppy dog,” I get to deliver the first political sharn of 2014 – which is, ironically, the Year of the Horse. Our flat jumped Read more...

Greatest Hits / Greatest Shits | Issue 03

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 9th March 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Greatest HitSometimes it’s easy to get so caught up in the humdrum of menial political drama that we forget we don’t actually live in a hilarious equilibrium of MP DJs (looking at you, Jacinda) and in-the-house banter. We do have a global context, and we have a proud history of attempting to stand Read more...

Critic tackles election year | Issue 03

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 9th March 2014 by Carys Goodwin

As I'm sure you all know, or at least have realised from the sharp increase in red, green, and blue-clad Tent City occupiers, it's election year – and a particularly important one at that. Our current Government has often been accused of overlooking student issues, and whether you agree with this or Read more...

If it ain't broke, another South African team should fix it

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 9th March 2014 by Daniel Lormans

Have you finally gotten your head around how the Super Rugby conference system works? Well, even if you have, it is all set to change. Again. Why? Because fuck you ... that’s why. Interesting announcements and off-the-record comments have been surfacing about the possible evolution of Super Read more...

Safeassign no safe sign for cheaters

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 9th March 2014 by Emily Draper

The number of students cheating at the University of Otago has risen on last year’s figures, but the rise is “not unusual” according to the University. The rise is documented in their annual report of dishonest offences, which shows there were 72 dishonest practice incidents in 2013. Despite there Read more...

Charlotte's web of deceit found out

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 9th March 2014 by Claudia Herron

A former president of the Maori Law Students’ Association has been indefinitely excluded from the University after stealing money from the Association during her presidency in 2013. Critic began investigating the incident last year but was unsuccessful in exposing the student despite fruitless Read more...

Unis to produce more skilled employees for economy

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 9th March 2014 by Claudia Herron

A five-year tertiary education strategy that focuses on enabling students to leave university with skills employers want has received bipolar reviews from the TEU and the Greens. Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce last week announced the Government would focus Read more...

Otago ranks with big minds, big words and know-it-alls

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 9th March 2014 by Josie Cochrane

The University of Otago remains in the 226-250th bracket of the Times University Rankings. The rankings judge world-class universities across all of their core missions – teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook – and this year they reveal that Otago ranks highest among New Read more...

Execrable | Issue 03

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 9th March 2014 by Josie Cochrane

On Monday 3 March the second OUSA Executive Meeting of the year was held. Reflection over the past two weeks revealed that the O’Week Six60 gig went “very well,” and it was expected that Tinie Tempah would draw a crowd of approximately 5500 to 6000 students, with “potentially lots of late sales.” Read more...

The Royal Hyde Street Party

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 9th March 2014 by Claudia Herron

Hyde Street Keg Party looks set to be a royal fanfare this year with the event falling on the eve of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s visit to Dunedin. Stepping up to run the event this year is Admin Vice President Ryan Edgar who said the event day planning is “absolutely” underway. Being Read more...

The great Otago drilling debate

Posted 4:44pm Sunday 2nd March 2014 by Josie Cochrane

Last year Texan company Anadarko Petroleum announced it was sending its test drill ship, the Noble Bob Douglas, into the Canterbury basin. The first step in drilling this exploratory well, situated just off the Otago coast, has been completed, but debate over whether the risk is worth it continues. Read more...

Uni spends $600,000,000 on infrastructure

Posted 4:44pm Sunday 2nd March 2014 by Thomas Raethel

Dunedin’s construction industry stands to benefit from more than six hundred million dollars in expenditure by the University on infrastructure, as well as the creation of hundreds of jobs. Chief Operating Officer John Patrick revealed the gargantuan figure at the University Council’s meeting Read more...

Council demands consent for movie vouchers and pizza

Posted 4:44pm Sunday 2nd March 2014 by Claudia Herron

The trend of sponsored flats in North Dunedin has come under DCC scrutiny after the branding of a radio station on a Castle St flat did not have the required resource consent. The flat, situated on the corner of Castle St and Dundas St, has the ZM logo and radio frequency plastered on one of its Read more...

Orientation After Party set to draw huge crowd

Posted 4:44pm Sunday 2nd March 2014 by Staff Reporter

A huge turnout is expected at the Forsyth Barr Stadium for OUSA’s Orientation After Party this Thursday 6 March, with all British acts Chase & Status, Tinie Tempah and Sub Focus drawing in the crowds. Kicking off the night is dance music guru Sub Focus, AKA Nick Douwma, who cemented himself Read more...

Highlanders miss conversion

Posted 4:44pm Sunday 2nd March 2014 by Claudia Herron

The University’s recent sponsorship of the Highlanders has highlighted the enduring issue that nowhere on campus sells tickets to the team’s games. While the sale of tickets by OUSA ceased about two years ago, the issue again resurfaced when tickets to O-week’s Blues v Highlanders match were the Read more...

Proctology

Posted 4:44pm Sunday 2nd March 2014 by Claudia Herron

This week in Proctology we highlight the cyclical nature of Scarfie antics as Dunedin’s returning students egg-xacted revenge on the newest influx of freshers. OUSA President Ruby Sycamore-Smith said she was “in a flap” after hearing that “freshers are being beaten by their own flock.” Read more...

Student allowance numbers plummet

Posted 4:44pm Sunday 2nd March 2014 by Thomas Raethel

The number of students receiving the student allowance in Dunedin has dropped by 23.8 per cent between 2012 and 2013. According to opponents of allowance entitlement cuts, the numbers indicate that Government policies are having a serious impact on the student populace of Dunedin in particular. Read more...

OUSA Recreation Centre refurbished

Posted 4:44pm Sunday 2nd March 2014 by Josie Cochrane

The new OUSA Recreation Centre is set to open in some capacity on Monday this week following upgrades that “will bring the centre into the 21st century.” Previously known as OUSA Clubs and Societies, the Centre was “well overdue for a bit of TLC,” says OUSA General Manager Darel Hall. The two Read more...

Uni might not flood?

Posted 4:44pm Sunday 2nd March 2014 by Josie Cochrane

On-going works to the Leith River banks and surrounds will contunue to have an impact upon pedestrian and traffic flow for most of the semester. Once the scheme is complete the benefits to the campus will be “significant,” according to the University, and a large part of the campus will receive Read more...

Smoke-free campus saga continues

Posted 4:44pm Sunday 2nd March 2014 by Claudia Herron

Opponents have further questioned the implementation of the University’s Smoke-free Campus policy after it was raised that certain areas included in the ban, as thought by some, belong to the DCC. Otago Norml spokesperson Abe Grey said the University “sound like they are bluffing,” and that they are Read more...

Interview: Ruby Sycamore-Smith, OUSA President 2014

Posted 6:57pm Sunday 23rd February 2014 by Zane Pocock

After winning by a significant margin in last year’s election, 2014 sees Ruby Sycamore-Smith going into her second year on the OUSA Executive as President. She caught up with Zane Pocock during a brief lull in a jam-packed Orientation schedule to discuss students, politics, and just a little bit of Read more...

ECP struggles

Posted 6:57pm Sunday 23rd February 2014 by Josie Cochrane

Walking into a pharmacy in need of the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) has left some young Dunedin women feeling inappropriately questioned and judged by a local pharmacy. One woman has made a complaint to the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) abut Wilkinson and Son Chemists after her Read more...

Uni governance and wānanga changes

Posted 6:57pm Sunday 23rd February 2014 by Claudia Herron

University Councils throughout the country will undergo major reforms following the Government’s announcement that it plans to reduce their size and remove mandatory staff, student and community membership. Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce made the announcement last week, which has since Read more...

Uni bank-rolls thugby

Posted 6:57pm Sunday 23rd February 2014 by Thomas Raethel

OUSA has expressed its support for the University’s sponsorship of the Highlanders rugby union team, despite the University facing backlash from the Tertiary Education Union (TEU) who branded the sponsorship as a “gimmick.” TEU deputy secretary Nanette Cormack elaborated on the Union’s Read more...

Vaporisers and edibles only on campus

Posted 6:57pm Sunday 23rd February 2014 by Thomas Raethel

The introduction of a campus-wide smoking ban on 1 January 2014 has harmonised the University with others throughout the country, but many appear to be side-stepping the ban and gutters outside campus have been clogged with cigarette butts. The policy does not outline any smoking-friendly Read more...

Metro’s fucked, if you haven’t noticed

Posted 6:57pm Sunday 23rd February 2014 by Josie Cochrane

The owner of a number of Dunedin bars, including student favourites Monkey, Metro and Rumours, has fled the country, leaving a number of outstanding debts. Critic could not get in contact with the owner, Ben Hanssen, but it is understood that he has left behind creditors and employees with no sign Read more...

Ori t-shits disappoint

Posted 6:57pm Sunday 23rd February 2014 by Claudia Herron

Two thousand uninspiring “limited edition” t-shirts included with O-Week’s Super Pass have been received unenthusiastically by students, despite being designed by talented local design company Moodie Tuesday. The t-shirts, which come in either blue or grey, comprise a collection of basic and Read more...

Orientation happened

Posted 6:57pm Sunday 23rd February 2014 by Claudia Herron

With a couch fire on the Saturday evening preceding O-Week, the stage was set for a roaring Orientation; a “return to true Scarfiedom,” even, as some observers speculated. The incident saw four people arrested for setting the fire outside 15 Hyde Street at approximately 10:45pm on Saturday 15 Read more...

OUSA Constitution breached in NZUSA scandal

Posted 3:00pm Thursday 21st November 2013 by Zane Pocock

The OUSA Executive yesterday confronted a breach of the OUSA Constitution by three of the four delegates sent to Wellington to cast OUSA’s votes in the 2014 NZUSA (New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations) election. The offending delegates voted contrary to a motion carried during Read more...

Hernandez Loses His Shit

Posted 4:26pm Sunday 6th October 2013 by Zane Pocock

Outgoing OUSA President Francisco Hernandez has expressed outrage at the Government’s decision to reduce the maximum size of university and wananga governing councils from 20 members to 12. Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce announced the decision in his Review of the Legislative Settings for Read more...

Cool Research Bro. Here, Have 800k

Posted 4:26pm Sunday 6th October 2013 by Claudia Herron

Minister of Education Steven Joyce last week announced the 10 recipients of this year’s Rutherford Discovery Fellowship. Two Otago University researchers were among those acknowledged. The Fellowship rewards New Zealand’s top early- to mid-career researchers with a funding package worth Read more...

Fran and Ruby in Most Pre-Determined Election Ever

Posted 4:26pm Sunday 6th October 2013 by Claudia Herron

Hot on the heels of the usual fanfare created by the OUSA election comes the University Council elections, giving students one more chance to select who will represent them in the ever-exciting realm of student politics. The University Council is the governing body of the University and, among other Read more...

NZUSA Given Yet Another Reprieve

Posted 4:26pm Sunday 6th October 2013 by Thomas Raethel

The New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations’ (NZUSA) future is secure, after both OUSA and the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA) decided to remain members of the ailing national body. The two organisations, which each pay an annual NZUSA membership levy of Read more...

Critic “Borrows” Story From Salient. Thanks, Suckers.

Posted 4:26pm Sunday 6th October 2013 by Chris MacIntyre

Concerns from key groups were ignored as the Government introduced their border arrest scheme for student loan defaulters earlier this year, the details of which remain unknown. Documents obtained by Salient under the Official Information Act show that there was limited consultation with Read more...

Otago’s Already Shit Ranking Artificially Propped Up by Foreigners

Posted 4:26pm Sunday 6th October 2013 by Josie Cochrane

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings have placed the University of Otago 226-250th worldwide, the same ranking as 2012 but below the 2011 ranking of 201-250th. Auckland University placed 164th which, despite being down three places on 2012, still made it the mostly highly Read more...

Sycamore-Smith Coasts to Victory Despite Video Gaffe | Opinion

Posted 4:26pm Sunday 6th October 2013 by Sam McChesney

With the Zac Gawn ticket victorious in two out of three contested positions, the outcome of the OUSA Presidential election can largely be seen as a personal endorsement of Ruby Sycamore-Smith. The election also saw the rise of iPredict and the resurgence of feminism, and cemented the importance of Read more...

Fran Makes $300 on iPredict

Posted 4:26pm Sunday 6th October 2013 by Zane Pocock

Ruby Sycamore-Smith has won the election for OUSA President in 2014 with 49.86 per cent of the vote. Her closest rival, Zac Gawn, won 34.35 per cent, with Jordan Watts a distant third on 10.42 per cent. The election saw OUSA’s largest voter turnout “in a generation.” 5,193 votes were cast, Read more...

Interview: Francisco Hernandez

Posted 4:26pm Sunday 6th October 2013 by Sam McChesney

OUSA President Francisco Hernandez will soon leave the association after three years on the Executive. In that time he has revolutionised student politics, producing groundbreaking campaign videos (“Frangnam Style”), conducting “ironically terrible” interviews on national television (TV3’s Read more...

Too Much Pussy in North Dunedin

Posted 4:26pm Sunday 6th October 2013 by Bella Macdonald

Pussy swapping is the next big thing to hit North Dunedin. An initiative is underway to deal with the rising number of stray cats in the student quarters. SPCA Executive Officer Sophie McSkimming said the Society “hopes to have a Facebook page for Cat Swapping by the end of the week.” Read more...

Tall, White Male Selected as 2014 Critic Editor in Shocking Upset

Posted 4:26pm Sunday 6th October 2013 by Irrelevant Irvine

It’s third time lucky for Critic’s resident ladder-climber Zane Pocock, who has been named Critic editor for 2014. “Fuck that took a while,” Pocock sighed when told the news. He has since been spotted standing at the OUSA balcony for hours on end, staring longingly and with just a hint of Read more...

Masters by Coursework on the Rise

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 29th September 2013 by Brittany Mann

The University of Otago has seen an increase in the number of coursework Masters programmes on offer, and recent changes to admissions criteria have made some postgraduate qualifications more accessible than ever before. There are now five coursework Masters programmes on offer in the Read more...

The Third Quarterly Executive Reports

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 29th September 2013 by Staff Reporter

The end of the third quarter has rolled around, and the OUSA Executive all have to submit reports on what they’ve been up to or else they don’t get paid. With the OUSA elections now happening, and several of the current Exec standing again, this is a good opportunity to assess who’s been doing their Read more...

Dorian Joins Larry in Animal Heaven

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 29th September 2013 by Jamie Breen

Two weeks ago, Dunedin was once again the scene of brutal animal violence. This time the victim was Dorian the rabbit. CCTV footage showed a man dressed all in black and wearing a beanie and gloves walking back and forth past the rabbit’s residence, a student flat on Arthur Street. Finally the Read more...

OUSA Election Forums

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 29th September 2013 by Bella Macdonald

Last week saw the OUSA 2014 Executive Candidate Forums take place in the Main Common Room. With more candidates standing than usual, Bella Macdonald went along to suss out who prioritises what. Presidential CandidatesRuby Sycamore-Smith Ruby’s confidence in her achievements as Welfare Read more...

Government Picks on Old People For Once

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 29th September 2013 by Josie Cochrane

Student Allowances are being restricted once again, with mature students now being targeted by cuts to the scheme. As of next year, the Allowance’s 200-week limit will be reduced to 120 weeks (approximately three full years of study) for students aged 40 years or over on the date their studies Read more...

Hayne Joins the One Per Cent

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 29th September 2013 by Thomas Raethel

The Tertiary Education Union (TEU) has condemned the recent trend of pay rises among Vice-Chancellors in universities nationwide. An annual report by the State Services Commission has revealed that at least six Vice-Chancellors across New Zealand received pay rises between 2012 and 2013. The Read more...

SOULS Buys Penance for Their Sins

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 29th September 2013 by Sam McChesney

The Society of Otago University Law Students (SOULS) has made a donation to Women’s Refuge, and in future will run Law Revue scripts past Dean of Law Professor Mark Henaghan, after this year’s Revue was slammed as offensive to women and minorities. Prof Henaghan told Critic that “there were Read more...

Ten Plus Two Equals Twelve, Says Fran

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 29th September 2013 by Zane Pocock

OUSA has announced plans for a one-month trial of a $12 airport shuttle service for students. Although exact dates are yet to be confirmed, the trial period will coincide with the upcoming exam period. As such, it will only be an outgoing service at this stage, but may operate both ways next year Read more...

Uni to Open Responsible, Supervised Bar on Campus

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 29th September 2013 by Claudia Herron

More details have emerged regarding the University’s plans to build a bar on campus, possibly with the involvement of OUSA. Critic reported on 16 September that the University was “looking into” the possibility of owning or co-owning a bar on campus. On 23 September, the news made its way to Read more...

Te Roopu Maori 2014 Executive Nominations

Posted 8:54pm Sunday 22nd September 2013 by Staff Reporter

Tumuaki (President)Arleen McLaren Kia ora whānau Ko Arleen McLaren ahau, he uri tēnei no Ngāti Maniapoto me Ngāti Maru. I am currently a 4th Year Phedder finalist. I am also current tumuaki of PEMA (Physical Education Māori Association). Tumuaki Read more...

Catholic Centre for Life to Provide “Non-Judgemental” Service

Posted 1:47pm Sunday 22nd September 2013 by Josie Cochrane

Family Life International has opened the doors to a new John Paul II Catholic Centre for Life on Filleul Street, Dunedin. This is the third Centre for Life to be opened in New Zealand, following those already running in Auckland and Wellington. Dame Colleen Bayer, National Director of Family Read more...

2014 Election Nominations

Posted 1:47pm Sunday 22nd September 2013 by Staff Reporter

The nominations for the 2014 OUSA Executive have closed, and an array of good-looking candidates have put their names forward to represent you next year. Voting will take place on the OUSA website from 9am Monday 30 September to 4pm Thursday 3 October, with the winners announced that evening. Read more...

Minor Change Called “Attack On Democracy”

Posted 1:47pm Sunday 22nd September 2013 by Claudia Herron

The University of Otago is looking to abandon a 120-year-old tradition in which Otago Graduates are able to vote fellow alumni onto the University Council. Established in 1891, the Court of Convocation has the sole purpose of electing three of its members from among the ranks of its Read more...