Polytech national student body vote

The Otago Polytechnic Students' Association may withdraw from its national parent body and go it alone.

Its 8000 members will be asked to vote next month on whether the association should stay with the New Zealand Union of Students' Associations, downgrade to associate membership or withdraw completely.

The decision to hold a referendum was made by the Otago association executive, president Meegan Cloughley said this week.

Her view was the national body did not adequately represent polytechnic students and the $31,000 annual membership fees Otago paid to it could be better spent elsewhere.

She had concerns about the lack of influence smaller associations had on national decisions, on a perceived lack of support for polytechnic associations when they were opposing the restructuring of polytechnic councils, and financial pressure on smaller associations from last-minute national association meetings and teleconferences.

"I feel like individual associations are no longer being listened to, so why should we pay to not be heard?"

The binding referendum would be held over two days next month. A simple majority of those voting would determine the outcome.

Ms Cloughley said because she had made her personal position clear, she would now withdraw from speaking about the referendum, although she would be inviting a variety of speakers to talk to students about both sides of the issue.

National co-president David Do said this week his group had long had a good working relationship with the Otago association and he expected that would continue.

"I am confident [Otago] students will value their national representation as well as their local representation ... and will vote accordingly."

- allison.rudd@odt.co.nz