The University Council is the big dog of University decision-making, voting on such issues as fee increases, the Service Level Agreement with OUSA, and the overall strategic plan for the University. They also have the power to shut down entire departments, as design students know only too well.
Before the Voluntary Student Membership Act passed, OUSA would just appoint two students to the University Council for a one-year term. But now students will vote directly. An email will be sent to all students with a link to the online voting site. Voting opens on Tuesday April 17 and closes on Friday April 20 at 3pm.
The election campaign rules are strict – if you’re a fan of accepting candy from strangers, you’re out of luck, because “No benefits or incentives can be offered to voters.”
We’ll leave you with an empty threat – as P. Diddy says, “Vote or Die”.
Matt Dodd
I’m in my fifth year of studying law and politics at Otago and have loved every minute of it! The University Council decides on policies that affect all of us students and sets the tone for the University as a whole.During my brief time in Dunedin, there has been a noticeable change in student culture. Most of this change has been driven by the University which now exerts more influence over the lives of students (on and off campus) than ever before.
It concerns me that we, as students, have been mostly kept in the dark about the practical consequences of policy decisions made in the institution that shapes so much of our lives.
Vote for Matt on the Uni Council and I promise to keep you in the loop!
Logan Edgar
Gidday StrangerI’m Logan Edgar, the OUSA Student President, and I am running for the student position on the University Council.
Up until now, the Student President has automatically held a seat on Uni Council, but the VSM bill that passed last year requires the seats to be filled by a direct election hosted by the University, so once again I’m on the campaign trail. In my current role I work full time focusing on representing Otago students and their interests, so I think I’d be a great choice to represent students on this very important University body.
I’ve been your council rep, alongside Jono Rowe, since the start of this year. We make a pretty great team, and now that Jono sits on the student executive as Admin Vice President as well, it makes perfect sense to keep us on there. We go into every Council meeting informed on each agenda item, and have the strength and organisation of OUSA behind us at all times.
We’ve worked hard to gain the respect of the other Uni Council members and will never stop defending and representing Scarfies and what they’re all about.
Love ya,
Logz xxxx
Tia Neha
Kia Ora tātou.My name is Tia Neha. My ancestry links to Northland, Hawkes Bay, the East Cape, East Coast of the North Island and France. I was born and raised in Dunedin, went to Broad Bay Primary School and went to Queen Victoria Girls College in Auckland. I am fully conversant in Te Reo and English which has enabled me to function competently in Māori and non Māori contexts.
At the University of Otago, I am working towards completing my PhD in Developmental Psychology.
If selected for the University of Otago Council, I cannot promise you the normally distributed two standard deviations above and below the mean life that will end in solving some of the world’s complex issues. Probably more like creating a space that provides a flax roots approach. I can represent and help make productive decisions for the whānau and university whānau. This hands-on approach has been demonstrated with extensive experience on school, whānau, sports, recruitment, professional and Māori student and graduate research student committees. These background experiences have provided me with a grounded position when understanding, representing and acting upon the greater good of the university, whānau and the wider community.
Margi MacMurdo-Reading
My name is Margi MacMurdo-Reading, and I am excited at the opportunity to run for the position of student representative of the Otago University Council. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, I hold dual citizenship in New Zealand and the USA. Residing in Dunedin since 2004, I am a “mature” PhD student, happily married to Mark Reading from Invercargill. We have two university-aged sons, Walker and Rory.I have had the pleasant and unusual distinction of attending Otago University simultaneously with my sons, so my capability for representing students is unique and multi-faceted. As a parent of students I know first-hand the undergraduate point of view, and as a former OUSA postgraduate representative, I am well connected and well versed on postgraduate issues. My experience in starting and running a successful landscape design business, overseeing ten employees and hundreds of clients ensures my understanding of team-work and fiscal responsibility.
Representation, service and trust are the three key ideals that have fuelled my public service experiences on the OUSA executive, as both parent representative and Chair of the BOT at Logan Park.
In this final year of my study, nothing would give me greater honour than to be elected as your student representative.
Jono Rowe
Students today face a number of challenges including: Losing iconic events like the Hyde Street Party, Rising cost of Fees, and the Liquor Ban.Overcoming many of these depends on students working with the University. Building and maintaining that relationship requires someone with skills, experience and ability to represent student interests.
I am that person.
I am passionate about Otago and the awesome lifestyle we have here. Logan Edgar and I have been working with the University to preserve the best parts of it.
Last year I fought successfully to get Student Reps back on the Appeals Board (where you appeal if the Proctor wants to send you packing back to mum and dad for burning a couch etc).
I don’t promise things I can’t deliver. A vote for me is a vote for: an alternative to the liquor ban , a safer Hyde Street party, a sustainable University, no unreasonable fee increases, and a university that listens
I have made a difference. I urge you to vote for experience, continuity and ability. Vote me and Logan back onto Council.
Andrew Wicken
As a “mature student” I combine student and professional experience. Over the last fifteen years I have held several jobs and volunteer positions within the campus community, most of which have involved student welfare, student safety, student academic progression, student social development, the health and wellbeing of young adults, or representing students both within student associations and on University committees.Complementing my workplace experience, for most of this time I have been a student (full-time or part-time) with papers from each of the four academic divisions, (important with only two student representatives on Council).
Because the environment for student representation has changed, the successful candidates will have to adapt the way they engage with students across divisions and beyond the Dunedin campus. I believe that I have the diverse skills needed to lead the way.
The three key issues for students today are fees, greater transparency in how off-campus student issues are dealt with by the University, and support and representation networks for the hundreds of students learning outside the Dunedin campus. With your support I look forward to providing a student perspective on these and other issues to the University Council.