Yes homo
A queer space, which has been in the works since 2018, will open on campus by the end of April.
President Michaela Waite-Harvey said that “the space is located on the first floor of the University Union building near the Terrace Lounge. “We’re putting the final touches on the space in terms of furniture and decorations over the next few months,” she said. It will include amenities such as a kitchen space.
Students were positive about the move. Manpreet said it was “cool for those in that community, it gives people a space where they feel comfortable and supported.” Keelan, Maadie, and Bella thought it was a “great idea” and awesome for “inclusivity”. Ngaroma said “I have some friends who identify that way, it’s a great way of letting them know they’re accepted.”
But will they generate revenue?
Your students’ association plans to turn the first floor of the University Bookshop into rental accommodation, and past Exec members are not happy about it. Two previous Exec members have questioned why a proposal rejected three times in the last five years was resurrected in 2021.
“It was a stupid idea then, and it’s a stupid idea now,” said 2016 Administrative Vice-President Jarred Griffiths on Twitter. With “no commercial acumen or commercial experience” in the Exec or the senior staff, Jarred saw OUSA entering the world of property development as a “group looking to go off on a jaunt with millions of dollars of student money.”
We stopped playing Crossy Road for a reason
The DCC will no longer confirm whether students will get an Albany Street pedestrian crossing. Last year, the DCC said it was “likely” in “late 2021.”
A 2017 poll showed that more students supported the crossing (78.6%) than discounted Lime scooters (68.9%), or even another student pub (53.5%). OUSA president Michaela Waite-Harvey said that while the DCC “are yet to act,” the crossing was a “clear priority” for OUSA and that she would continue to be vocal about it.
Students interviewed at the crossing last week expressed support. “Especially coming out of Grange, I feel like I’m going to get hit by a car,” said Izzy. “Every time I cross. [The street] really needs a crossing.”
The Exec meeting last week was cancelled because there was nothing on the agenda.
In an email sent to members of the OUSA Exec February 26, the meeting scheduled for Monday was cancelled because there were only two agenda items. Both items had papers pending, preventing full discussion on either
Despite being the oldest, and one of the most influential students’ associations in the country, people still opt to leave the Otago Uni Students’ Association (OUSA).
One of them — a third year student Otago student — opted out of OUSA membership in September last year by