The Rachel Report - June

As we head into June the subliminal messages are creeping in everywhere…the burning question is when is the election? I hear many people asking though… why should we vote?

Why should we vote when we are struggling with our exams and essays? Why should we vote when the IRD just sent a letter telling us the total of our student debt is now $34k, & there is another year to study? Why should we vote when education ministers had a free education? Why should we vote when we know that under funding means Otago Polytechnic will have to drastically scale back or stop the free computing course, so popular in Dunedin? Why vote in an election when we have to fight fee rises? Why vote? Because you’re worth it!

Reasons to vote according to Rachel…

#1. You get to have pure unadulterated power while your pen is poised over ANY unticked box
#2. You look younger – less worry (student ID is so handy if you are only 18…)
#3. You get to choose a party that supports free education
#4. It’s cheaper than buying shoes
#5. It’s more instantly gratifying than buying Lotto.
#6. it gives the coffee farmer twice the income…no wait… that’s when you
buy FAIR TRADE coffee)…

Meanwhile… OPSA has worked with OP to have 3 water coolers installed on campus. Students came out and supported the ‘I see debt people’ - Student Debt is bigger than King Kong campaign action on May Friday 13th. The debt monster bet King Kong, the debt zombie and, unfortunately, with the “interest chainsaw” also beat the student (at least he won a team-OPSA t-shirt!)

The Minister of (he got it for FREE) Education Trevor Mallard reflected that kindergarten kids were more reasonable than 1000 pissed-off students and graduates when they marched on Parliament on May 17 demanding a living allowance for all. He said no, because the budget has already gone to the printers… (so nyah nyah nyah…) Can we just vote him off the island… please??

devotedly fighting for a free education…

Rachel
opsaprez@tekotago.ac.nz