News

Last week’s meeting was a dull and dreary affair, stretching three whole yawn-inducing hours. James Meager once again took over the Presidential role, although it seemed his main job was to make Harriet shut up.

Presidential hopeful Dan Stride was M.I.A. (along with about half of the Exec), which was unsurprising given the election-week tension.
   Much of the meeting was taken up with the recreation unit review report. The report recommended a number of controversial changes, including getting rid of the aquatic centre, reconsidering membership with USNZ, and creating a tiered system to encourage clubs to be properly affiliated. Harriet seemed to have a problem with everything, asking endless probing questions whilst typing on her iPhone. Ultimately, the Exec voted to accept the recommendations of the report. 
   The 2011 Budget first draft was discussed in great length. General Manager Stephen Alexander and James had made three alternative budgets, to allow for whether there was an increase in levies. In a passionate outburst, General Rep Imogen Roth said that no increase was appropriate as it was not in the students’ interests. “This is just shit,” she exclaimed. Ros agreed: “I don’t feel comfortable adding to our students’ loans.” On the other end of the spectrum were claims of “fiscal responsibility” and “it’s only $6.” 
   After seemingly endless debate, the Executive voted to increase the student levies to allow for inflation, and to future-proof in the case of VSM. Once again, John ‘jokingly’ ‘whispered’: “a 50 percent increase, that’s what I’m shooting for.” Although the Exec had certainly made quorum, the motion to increase levies by more than three percent to an undisclosed sum had been passed by only six Exec members. 
   Just before leaving, the Exec discussed the University’s intention to increase the Welfare Levy. Once again, Imogen Roth spoke out, stating that the University doesn’t need OUSA’s approval, so OUSA should not endorse their increase as they are responsible for the students. Her views were rubbished by many of the Exec, who then voted to increase the levy by around a dollar to cover GST and a new 0800 number.
   The meeting then ended because Harriet, Stephanie, and David had to go get OTP. They were later sighted going into a George Street liquor store. Now that’s investigative journalism at its finest.