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Recreation Manager Debbie Coulter kicked off the meeting with the OUSA Aquatic Centre’s repairs and capital work. This included painting and repairing structural support for the canopy located above the deck, as well as the fire-exit steps. The rust is “so severe” that the steps have to be replaced. The total cost of all repairs to the canopy and fire-exit steps will be approximately $32,000.

Adding to the repairs, the balustrade needs to be replaced due to not being high enough and it is in very poor condition. It was recommended that the executive approve up to $50,000 to replace the balustrade. The 2015 budget allows $40,000 for the Aquatic Centre repairs in total, although the work for the canopy, fire exit and the balustrade is expected to cost over $80,000.

Hunt asked “what control [OUSA has] over the quality” of the repairs “to ensure the constant maintenance is not required.” He said he wants to “ensure the job is well done” so that “the exec in five years aren’t dealing with the same issue.” The executive put through a motion authorising the expenditure required for the repairs, adding that they would work with Chief Executive Officer Debbie Downs to ensure the quality of the job.

NZUSA President Rory McCourt has said he would like to fly to Dunedin to meet with the executive members. OUSA was billed for half of 2015’s membership fees ($22,500) after withdrawing in November last year. OUSA has paid half of this sum, but is yet to decide whether it will pay the rest. Hunt said that if NZUSA paid for a flight to Dunedin, it is technically an NZUSA service and therefore could be used as an argument for OUSA to pay the rest of their fees. The overall view of the executive was that there was no justification for McCourt to physically be in Dunedin to meet; therefore, they will arrange a Skype meeting to discuss the issue.

Joe Stockman and Matthew Haggart were reinstated on the Planet Media Dunedin Ltd Board. Hunt said they have been “active” and “valuable” members in the past and their experience with the media benefits the board.

Orientation 2015 had an approximate loss of $57,500. Downs said a “breakdown of individual days” is not yet known, but should be available next week. Hunt said that there will be discussions amongst the executive about “whether [the loss] is a good thing.” He added that over the last three to four years, Orientation has broken even. “Some years we’ve lost $100,000, some years we’ve gained that,” he said.

David Cross, Manager of Student Administration at the university, sent a request for exam-free days to be cut in the second semester in order to make the organisation of graduation ceremonies easier. There are currently two Wednesdays that do not have exams. Hunt said there is an argument that it could be “harmful” for those with “very pressurised exams spread out.” But the change could also mean “fewer double exam days.” Hunt said he is “more in favour of the first argument” so he would like to see data showing the “statistical difference that would occur.” Campaigns Officer Alice Sowry opposed the change. The rest of the executives shared this opinion, and a motion was passed to thank Cross for consulting them about the decision.

The issue of a pro-life group wishing to affiliate with OUSA, a matter that arose in the previous meeting, was further discussed. Hunt said the team wishes to ensure they “allow freedom of expression” but would like to look into the group’s activities to ensure they don’t cause harm to students. The executive will be meeting with “different stakeholders” regarding the issue before a decision is made.

OUSA’s involvement with the university’s satellite campuses, in Wellington, Christchurch and Invercargill, was discussed. Currently Wellington and Christchurch are more involved than Invercargill, but Hunt said there was “no reason to leave [Invercargill] out.” A motion was passed that OUSA will seek to continue to work with all satellite campuses.

Riveting chat.