OPSA head's challenge

Newly-elected Otago Polytechnic Students Association (OPSA) 2011 president Michelle Fidow agrees she might have chosen a challenging year to become a student leader.

"It's going to be interesting," she said with a laugh yesterday.

On Friday, a parliamentary select committee recommended legislation proceed which would end compulsory membership of student associations from the start of 2012.

Students associations will have to spend next year working out how to match their services and staff levels to a likely huge reduction in income if voluntary membership becomes law, and some significant and perhaps unpalatable decisions will have to be made.

But Ms Fidow (24) said she "always liked a challenge" and was looking forward to her year, even though she knew much work would be involved.

Ms Fidow has been involved with OPSA since 2008 and has been campaigns officer, women's representative and vice-president.

She is studying for a diploma in applied social services, specialising in mental health, and expects to finish that this year or early next year.

Ms Fidow was the sole candidate for president and Rebecca Hohaia the sole candidate for vice-president, but elections were still held last week to enable students to cast a vote of "no confidence" if they wished.

The voter turnout was small - little over 1% of membership.

Ms Fidow gained 79 votes (11 no confidence), while Ms Hohaia gained 85 votes (three no confidence).

There were three invalid votes.

The executive members will be elected at the start of next year.