Logan Edgar, OUSA President. Photo from ODT files.
Keeping independent station Radio One may come with a
cost to the national student union charged with representing
students' concerns to the Government.
Reduced levy payments to the New Zealand Union of Students'
Associations is one cost-cutting alternative being considered
by the Otago University Students' Association in favour of
retaining Radio One on its financial books.
OUSA president Logan Edgar said other cost-cutting measures
would be required in light of the association's decision not
to sell Radio One.
OUSA had reduced its payments to the NZUSA from $90,000 to
$35,000, this year, and further cuts were possible as part of
an ongoing financial review, Mr Edgar said.
The Act New Zealand's Freedom of Association Bill, which
proposes to make membership of student associations
voluntary, would have massive financial implications, for
OUSA, Mr Edgar said.
An OUSA-commissioned review from accountancy consultant firm
Deloitte's in May highlighted potential areas where savings
could be made to address a likely reduction of revenue should
the Bill become law.
Otago Polytechnic Students' Association president Michelle
Fidow said financial contributions to NZUSA had been reduced
from $19,000 to $10,000 this year.
OPSA wants to resign from the NZUSA and was part-way through
a constitutionally required 12-month withdrawal period,
although that might yet be reconsidered, Ms Fidow said.
NZUSA co-president David Do said the threat of voluntary
student membership had forced associations around the country
to reconsider how they would be able to continue providing
key services and advocacy roles for students.
NZUSA had undergone a restructuring to reduce costs in
recognition of concerns raised by its member associations, Mr
Do said.
The "key message" still remained for NZUSA to ensure a strong
national "voice" was heard in Wellington to lobby the
Government on behalf of students around New Zealand, he said.
Ms Fidow said if voluntary student membership became a
reality, then OPSA would "definitely" withdraw from NZUSA.
"Our budget will be cut dramatically," she said.
Mr Edgar was convinced voluntary student membership would be
unsuccessful, despite the Bill returning to Parliament soon
for its third reading.
The Government had not fully considered all the "harmful"
implications, he said.
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