RAs Worse Off after Pay Changes

Posted 11:52am Sunday 4th October 2015

Residential assistants (RAs) say they have been left worse off after the University of Otago changed its payment system at the beginning of 2015. Although the change has increased RAs’ initial pay, the accommodation supplement has been scrapped, meaning they have less in their pockets Read more...

OUSA Executive Forums

Posted 11:06am Sunday 27th September 2015

Presidential Candidates Payal Ramritu Payal went for an unusual tactic during the debate, claiming she doesn’t need to run “any bullshit campaign … I’m already doing the work, making things happen right now.” The MC, and current OUSA acting president Isaac Read more...

Ex-Cop Announced as New Otago Proctor

Posted 10:47am Sunday 27th September 2015

Ministry of Justice official and former police officer Dave Miller has been announced as the university’s new proctor. Miller is to replace Simon Thompson, who held the position for 15 years and retired on 25 September. Miller will begin his tenure on 28 October. Miller, who is finishing Read more...

Medical Students Report Harassment and Bullying

Posted 10:31am Sunday 20th September 2015

A survey conducted by the New Zealand Medical Students’ Association (NZMSA) has revealed extensive bullying and sexual harassment of medical students in hospitals across New Zealand. The survey focused on fourth-, fifth- and sixth-year medical students on clinical placements. Of the Read more...

Cull says Dunedin May Welcome Refugees

Posted 10:52am Sunday 13th September 2015

Dunedin could become home to Syrian refugees arriving in New Zealand, but Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull says an adequate resettlement programme needs to first be established. Currently, New Zealand’s most southerly resettlement programme for refugees is in Nelson. Cull says before refugees Read more...

Student Throws Pot Plants, Not Charged

Posted 10:46am Sunday 13th September 2015

A student from the University of Otago has escaped charges after drunkenly attacking a Dunedin resident in her home on Saturday 29 August.  The attack, which lasted for several minutes, began after the intoxicated student followed her friend home. The student entered the victim’s Read more...

Medical Students Safe after SDHB Budget Cuts

Posted 10:53am Sunday 6th September 2015

The Department of Health Sciences has said budget cuts in the Southern District Health Board are not expected to affect Otago’s medical students. The SDHB has introduced a five percent budget cut for most health providers in the southern region in an attempt to solve their financial Read more...

Closure of Department of Applied Sciences

Posted 10:48am Sunday 6th September 2015

Design students say they feel their majors have been “dismissed” after the University of Otago announced the Department of Applied Sciences will be closed. Zac Newton, a Design for Technology major, says students have “worked so hard to show the value of what we do [as design Read more...

Paralysed After Commerce Building Accident

Posted 10:41am Sunday 6th September 2015

The University of Otago must pay $60,000 to a woman left permanently disabled after slipping on tiling in the Commerce Building. In June 2013 Katherine Casey fractured her spine and pelvis in three places after slipping on the building’s tiles. Casey later sued the university and it Read more...

Central Countdown in the Crap

Posted 10:39am Sunday 30th August 2015

Central Dunedin’s Countdown store has been handed a three-day ban on selling alcohol as a result of selling illegally discounted drinks on two separate occasions earlier this year. The ban will run from 7–10 September. The store, located on Cumberland Street, was caught out after Read more...