Issue 15 | July 09, 2012 | critic.co.nz

President’s Column
Kia Ora
THE OUSA PAGE
Everything OUSA, Every Monday
This Presidential Column is being written in the windy city of Wellington. I’ve
come up for a series of meetings to do with getting information about the
government’s proposed budget so that OUSA can come up with an informed
response and give better information to you on how it affects you and your
flat’s pocketbooks.
But the budget concerns more than just your pocketboooks, although it is a
big part of it. A budget is more than just a financial instrument of achieving
government policy - it’s a moral manifesto which tells the public what the
government places value on.
From what’s been revealed so far (writing this on a Wednesday arvo) this
budget is a mixed bag.
CAN OUSA HELP YOU!?
Apply for an OUSA Grant and tell us why you or your affiliated club deserves
to be rewarded with some cold hard cash!! With Grants Round 3 closing
soon the time to apply is NOW. Make an appointment with the Clubs
Development Officer by emailing cdo@ousa.org.nz. For further information
check out the OUSA website http://www.ousa.org.nz/recreation/grants/
The third round closes 4pm Thursday 23rd May 2013
Upcoming Student Referendum
OUSA is holding a student referendum so that you can have your say about
the way OUSA is run and the direction that it’s heading. If you want to help
shape the future of your students’ association, jump onto ousa.org.nz and
click the link on the homepage to read through the questions being put to
referendum, then take part online at ousa.org.nz between 9am on the 27th
of May, and 4pm on the 31st of May. Get informed! Get involved!
OUSA Squash Courts: 1/2 price student
casual use during May, $2.50 per game!
The OUSA Squash Courts are located just behind the PE School and are
available for casual use. Plus, the OU Squash Racquets Club is a great way to
play competitive or social squash. Contact OUSA Recreation to book a casual
game or to find out about the Club: 479 5960
Sauna – Half price during May
Now the days are getting colder – experience the warmth of the OUSA
sauna. Just $2 per student during May (applies to for the open sessions
only). Contact OUSA Recreation to book: 479 5960
On the one hand, we welcome the news of the Science Challenges fund which
has allocated $130+ million worth of funding towards developing solutions to
the challenges that New Zealand face as a country. This is a creative approach
of harnessing the creative and talented people across the tertiary education
sector.
On the other, we’ve heard worrying rumours that the Blue Greens flagship
policy initiative “Warm Up New Zealand” will not be funded in this budget.
This policy has been a successful one, making homes
warmer, reducing the energy cost of insulation, creating
jobs and generally being an allround good policy. We
are also disappointed to see the climate of underinvestment
in student support continuing with no
moves being made to reverse the cancellation of
postgraduate student allowances.
But people will have different views on the budget.
Which is why OUSA will be putting on a post-budget
information and discussion panel on
Monday noon in the Main Common
Room (next to the Union Hall) with
representatives from various
groups to discuss their views on
the budget. You can come along,
heckle some young hacks, ask
questions and form a view on
what the budget means for
you and New Zealand.
Ps: disappointed in the lack
of response to the student
bar question I put last week.
I guess scarfies don’t really
want a student bar after all eh?
Francisco Hernandez
- OUSA President