News

OUSA cast their sickle aside

After a month long submission process that garnered much media attention, the OUSA Executive has decided to reject the Deloitte review recommendation to sell Radio One.
 
OUSA Administrative Vice President Brad Russell told Critic that the “overwhelming support” for Radio One in the 124 submissions received was a major factor in the decision-making process.
 
Russell added “I’d have to commend Sean for his approach to the exec and how he addressed his concerns with some aspects of the Deloitte review, including how the funding was not accurate of what he actually spends. He came up with some intelligent ideas for cutting costs”.
 
Critic understands that OUSA will be contributing less money to Radio One than it currently does, with the amount to be decided following a consultation process with the parties concerned. The Executive plans to “get into discussions with Radio One with how they can gain new revenue and lower costs,” Russell said.
 
Russell added that there had been “discussion over their playlist,” and that the Executive will be working with Radio One “to make it more accessible to students.” He also said that “we don’t want to cut their image too much though,” so lovers of alternative music need not fear that Radio One will become another Lady Gaga stronghold.
 
The Executive received an “interesting selection of submissions,” according to Russell, who said that everyone from “students to politicians to Samantha Hayes” had voiced their views on the future of Radio One. People were put in submissions from “around the world, indicating that [they] still listen to Radio One after they’ve left Dunedin,” said Russell.
 
The Deloitte review, which came out in early July this year, recommended that OUSA sell Radio One in light of the threat that VSM poses to the levels of revenue the association will have available next year to fund student services.
 
The submission period closed on July 29, and staff were informed of the decision on August 5.
 
For more information on the review, see our Facebook page.