OUSA is the green sign on the way into town, Clubs and Socs, and the people that run O-Week. That is what we are, but it isn’t all we are.
Some think OUSA should be just a service provider, steering clear of taking political stances in fear of alienating some. Others think it should be vocal about what political decisions will benefit students, even if it conflicts with the views of some.
Historically, we did the latter. It encouraged much higher levels of engagement especially when it conflicted. After what happened with BDS last year, we saw almost every executive position contested following years of them being handed to insiders unchallenged.
Some of the most egregious attacks on students and our constitutional foundations have been made and successive student ‘voices’ have been too shy to speak up about them for fear of alienating a portion of students. But when OUSA took stances and ruffled feathers, we saw the highest voter turnout for an exec election in several years. Both positive and negative feedback is still good feedback.
Decades ago when the government proposed a fees increase of 30%, students ran the politicians responsible off campus. They were forced out of windows and their exits crowded.
In 1981, OUSA gave financial and moral support for the ‘Save Aramoana’ campaign to oppose an aluminium smelter being built. This year, we’re supporting the fight against a new mine being talked about for the Denniston Plateau.
The 1987 student cohort picketed outside the Labour Party’s candidate selection meeting for Dunedin to remind them of their promise not to increase fees and boycott the last fees payment of the year.
It was part of a consistent nation-wide effort led by the student associations from all universities and polytechs. OUSA used to focus its efforts predominantly on fees and loans as the issues most important to students but still provided services and social activities.
The end of voluntary student membership (VSM) was a kick in the backside for student unions. As happened around the world, the economic shift to neoliberalism saw Otago unable to maintain its “critic and conscience” role in society as then Vice-Chancellor, Robin Irvine, said. Unbiased fact-providers with no substance don’t provoke thought.
In the past, OUSA was a proactive voice for students and saw the benefits. We could be again if we continue giving students a reason to engage by taking stances and creating space for conversations to be had on campus.
