Archive

A Letter From the Muslim University Students’ Association

Posted 9:54pm Thursday 21st March 2019 by Muslim University Students’ Association

Today, we went to the mosque to pray for all our brothers and sisters affected by the tragic massacre of Muslims in Christchurch. Today, we went to the mosque and we saw hundreds of flowers outside the main gate. We saw hundreds of people from all walks of life who came to support our community Read more...

A Muslim Perspective

Posted 9:43pm Thursday 21st March 2019 by Ala Ghandour

I have many words, but at the same time I have none that can truly convey the hurt in my heart. Yesterday, I was shocked. I was confused and lost and could not wrap my head around any of it. “How did this happen here? This isn't something that would happen in NZ,” I kept Read more...

Editorial: Sparknotes of the Knox Story

Posted 12:36am Friday 15th March 2019 by Charlie O’Mannin

This week Critic’s news section is a little different. Instead of our normal news stories we’ve got a seven-page investigation into the culture of Knox College, a story that Critic has been working on for the past month. There are so many elements to this story, and there were even Read more...

Sexual Assault and Rape Went Undisciplined at Knox College

Posted 12:34am Friday 15th March 2019 by Esme Hall

Apology Critic Te Arohi did not approach the former Deputy Master referred to in "Anne's" story for comment before publishing this story in the 15 March 2019 issue of Critic. Critic apologises to the Deputy Master for not giving her the opportunity to comment on the aspects of Read more...

Some Tutors Getting Better Pay Deal Than Others

Posted 9:27pm Thursday 14th March 2019 by Sinead Gill

Tutors and demonstrators across departments and divisions do not have consistent pay, meaning some tutors are getting a better deal than others, even across similar subjects. While the University has ‘payment guidelines’ for tutors, the final call is made by the department, meaning Read more...

Drug Testing Finds a Quarter of Substances Not What People Think They Are

Posted 9:24pm Thursday 14th March 2019 by Charlie O’Mannin

26% of drugs taken to OUSA’s O-Week drug testing service were not what people thought they were. 61 people used the service which was “well received” according to Finn Boyle of KnowYourStuffNZ, who ran the service for OUSA alongside the New Zealand Drug Foundation. Of the 26% Read more...

Uni Flats Still Has “Draconian” Wi-Fi Policy

Posted 10:48pm Thursday 7th March 2019 by Nina Minogue

Despite residents paying normal rates for internet use, Wi-Fi at Uni Flats is provided by the University network, which is subject to “draconian” restrictions, in the words of former student Anton Hovius. During University ‘working hours’ (Monday to Friday 8.30am-12pm, Read more...

Uni Flats Residents Unhappy with Unexpected Landlord Visits

Posted 10:34pm Thursday 7th March 2019 by Esme Hall

Uni Flats residents have complained of unannounced visits from landlords and Property Services. Uni Flats is the University of Otago’s housing service for international students, where a local ‘Kiwi Host’ lives with a group of international students. Its goal is to “ensure Read more...

Editorial: Uni Flats Are Flats, Not Residential Colleges

Posted 10:32pm Thursday 7th March 2019 by Charlie O’Mannin

This week we’ve got two stories about areas of tenancy that are technically legal but are still fucked, and in both cases the tenants are the ones who lose out. Erin Gourley looked into tenants being ordered by the Tenancy Tribunal to pay the rent that vanished flatmates have left unpaid, and Read more...

UniCol Drops Residential Assistant Numbers While Piling on Academic Work

Posted 10:29pm Thursday 7th March 2019 by Esme Hall

University College (UniCol) has only hired 18 Residential Assistants (RAs) this year, down from 21 last year, and has given the RAs more responsibility for academic mentoring on top of their pastoral care role. Master Andy Walne said, “University College did not seek to reduce the number of Read more...

2018 OUSA Exec: Where Are They Now?

Posted 6:43pm Thursday 7th March 2019 by Sinead Gill

Even if you don’t fuck with OUSA, there is no denying that people who wind up on the executive have gone on to do fancy things. Here’s an insight into the 2019 plans and goals for the future leaders of our country.   Caitlin Barlow-Groome: President This year Caity is the Read more...

Otago Polytechnic Too Successful for Its Own Good

Posted 6:41pm Thursday 7th March 2019 by Owen Clarke

Last Tuesday Education Minister Chris Hipkins visited Otago Polytech to address concerned students, faculty, and staff, following the Government proposing a merger of all 16 of New Zealand’s polytechs. The controversial merger bodes ill for standout polytechs like Otago, which are Read more...

Dundas Street Construction Is a Pain in the Ass

Posted 6:41pm Thursday 7th March 2019 by Sinead Gill

As Flo Week dawned on the student population, construction on the Dundas Street Bridge began, blocking it off as a part of the Leith Flood Protection Scheme. The long-term benefits of construction are probably worth inconveniencing a few dozen residents for six months, but that doesn’t make it Read more...

Proctorial Justice Stocks Removed For 150th Exhibition

Posted 6:40pm Thursday 7th March 2019 by Wyatt Ryder

The Proctorial Justice stocks were removed from outside the Proctor’s Office in mid-January to be included in a historical exhibition for the University’s 150th anniversary. A University spokeswoman said, “The removal of the stocks was unrelated to the protest held outside Read more...

Law Camp Going Ahead With New Changes

Posted 6:37pm Thursday 7th March 2019 by Esme Hall

Law camp will go ahead for 2019, with new changes from the Society of Otago University Law Students (SOULS) after last year’s Law Camp was cancelled amidst a media furore that erupted when a 2012 attendee told the New Zealand Herald the camp was like “an American fraternity house,” Read more...

10Bar Reopens as Catacombs

Posted 9:24pm Thursday 28th February 2019 by Sophia Carter Peters

A bright and shiny new bar ‘Catacombs’ has risen from the rotten carcass known as 10Bar. The morgue-turned-nightclub has had some serious renovations including new floors, white marble bars and some macabre decorations.  Andre Shi, the owner of Catacombs and Vault 21, drew Read more...

Not Enough People Voted in Boring Referendum so OUSA Will Hold Boring Meeting

Posted 9:23pm Thursday 28th February 2019 by Esme Hall

OUSA is holding a Student General Meeting (SGM) after low turnout meant that its October referendum was invalid.  The meeting will be held at 12:30 p.m. in the Main Common Room, or outside if weather permits, on Thursday 21 March with the aim of “start[ing] our year off right,” Read more...

Which Dunedin Workplaces Allow Office Dogs: A Critic Investigation

Posted 9:22pm Thursday 28th February 2019 by Esme Hall

Reading Critic, you may start thinking University is about ‘the drugs’ and ‘the alcohol’. Don’t be fooled. Everyone knows that University is really about launching yourself into the job market. To do that, you need to be informed. That’s what Critic’s really Read more...

No One Disciplined for Initiations in 2018

Posted 9:20pm Thursday 28th February 2019 by Nina Minogue

In a marked drop from 2017, zero initiation-related events reached the Proctor’s Office last year. In 2017, seventeen students were excluded from University for initiation-related incidents, following an initiation at Cumberland Street flat Debacle that was called “sadistic,” Read more...

University Closes Two Dance Studios With No Plans for Redevelopment

Posted 9:19pm Thursday 28th February 2019 by Esme Hall

The University has vacated and closed its P.E. and Dance facilities, locking out community groups, but has no plans for redeveloping the buildings as yet. “With the finishing of the dance curriculum near the end of last year, the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences has Read more...