Reid, OUSA’s Clubs and Socs Representative, is stepping down from his role. He told Critic Te Ārohi that he would be returning to his home in the USA before next semester to take up another job offer, but we think it’s probably something shadier than that.
Reid has a long history of antics at Otago; a string of escapades that eventually culminated in the 2022 Student Executive Coup, during which Reid mobilised his friend group to run for every possible position on the executive board. Because student voter turnout is so unbelievably shit, this proved to be very easy to do. Most of your student exec is now controlled by this friend group, who have actually managed to present a relatable face for student politics for the first time in nearly twenty years.
Reid is also well-known for his role in organising Sign Up Club two years ago, a self-described pyramid scheme that ended up enlisting thousands of Otago Uni students. This group was used to try to force votes on various OUSA policies, including some of their own recommendations: changing the OUSA logo and signature, and installing a designated “piss tree” on campus. They weren’t successful, but Reid learned his lesson and successfully launched a coup the next year.
Most recently he’s been embroiled in the scabies scandal. Has it proven too much to handle? Is Reid fleeing the country to leave his trail of democratic upheaval behind? We can’t be sure. All we know is that the By Election for his (paid!) position will take place between 6-8 June with nominations open from 9am May 24 until 4pm May 26.
Reid says he “still doesn’t know the difference between a club and a sock, so neither should you.” Any student can put themselves up for election and try to fill the power vacuum led by OUSA’s most charismatic cultist.