News

In May 2011 OUSA engaged the services of Deloitte to complete a review of the current organisational structure. Along with the potential sale of Radio One (covered on page 11), the review has recommended the disestablishment of various staff roles within OUSA.

No final decisions have yet been made regarding a new structure or changes to roles. OUSA is currently taking submissions as to “other ways to achieve the objectives of ensuring OUSA is an efficient organisation, structured most appropriately to meet the needs of its student members.”

The review took place in light of the potential reduction in funding from student levies with the introduction of VSM, and with a view to identifying any immediate efficiency gains or changes in the existing structure that would better align with OUSA’s overall goals. After obtaining feedback from a number of individuals both within and outside the organisation, and in consultation with the Executive, Deloitte has identified areas for improving the existing structure “to ensure that it better meets the goals of OUSA.”

Three of the existing roles within OUSA have been identified for potential disestablishment; the Communications Coordinator, Visitor Services Manager and Recreation Assistant Manager.
 
Deloitte has recommended that there is no need for a permanent 30-hour per week Communications Coordinator role for an organisation the size of OUSA, particularly considering the role of Colleges and Communications Representative on the Executive. It is proposed that media liaison and external communications become part of the responsibilities of the General Manager in order to better support the Executive in their communication with both students and the public.
 
The position of Visitor Services Manager has likewise been found to be unjustified considering the size of OUSA, and Deloitte has recommended that a full-time Manager to oversee the receptionists is unnecessary. 
 The Recreation Assistant Manager is also considered to be surplus to requirements.
 The Events team is to undergo no changes to their current roles or duties, and the team is to work with the General Manager “to review the current services and events... and to make changes as appropriate to ensure Events is able to increase profitability.”
There are also no recommended changes to Critic’s current roles or duties, although Deloitte has recognised the need to implement internal operating guidelines. The recommendation from the review earlier in the year that Planet Media Dunedin Limited be dissolved has been dismissed by the Deloitte review, and Planet Media is to remain as a separate corporate entity.
In terms of the proposed internal recommendations, OUSA has opened up a period of consultation with staff and are seeking feedback before any decisions are made. 
 Internal parties wishing to make comments on any of these proposals may do so in writing to consulatation@ousa.org.nz before 5pm Friday 29 July. The Executive will then consider all submissions and make a final decision in the week of August 1, and decisions will be communicated to all staff shortly after this point.