Subwardens now have official representation on a committee and can approach OUSA more easily with their issues. Subwarden means RA. RA means Residential Assistant. Residential Assistant means friendly, not friend.
OUSA President Michaela Waite-Harvey said that subwardens are “a good liaison point between OUSA and the colleges” because they live there, and OUSA does not. She said that OUSA recognised “the important role Subwardens play in providing pastoral care, support and safety for their residents — often while themselves studying. This is no small task, and OUSA recognises responsibility in advocating for Subwardens to ensure that the University provides adequate training, fair pay, and wellbeing support.”
“This committee gives Subwardens an opportunity to come together, have a collective voice and also be represented by OUSA, particularly through the Residential Representative portfolio,” she said.
Subwarden insight could help OUSA make better decisions about how it engages with colleges. The committee existed last year, informally, and managed to get shit done, so giving the group official recognition may increase their power.
Last year the committee, operating as an informal group, secured retention pay for Subwardens who stayed behind in their college through lockdown. The committee will consist of one representative from each college, as well as one from Te Roopū Māori, UOPISA, UniFlats, and an international rep.
In last quarter’s report, OUSA Residential Rep Jack Saunders was hopeful that the Subwarden Committee would make it easier for OUSA to have an effective Colleges Committee as well. “Once I form the Subwarden Committee this should be a far more seamless set up than it was last year!” he said, with a hopeful exclamation mark. “I will hopefully be using the new Subwarden Committee as a platform to facilitate the formation of this Committee.”