Fee Setting Campaign

The Otago Polytechnic Students' Association are currently running a campaign urging the Otago Polytechnic Council not to raise course fees for students.

If you do not want to see your course fees raised, please sign the petition at the OPSA Office.

If you would like to get involved in the campaign, please contact Richard Mitchell either by email richard@opsa.org.nz or on 021 182 6274.

Media Release; OPSA Supports ASTE Fixed Term Campaign

The Otago Polytechnic Students' Association supports the Association of Staff in Tertiary Education (ASTE) in their campaign against improper use of fixed term appointments in Tertiary Institutions.

"Many Tertiary Institutions have been using fixed term appointments to disguise shady employment practices and to employ staff when a permanent contract should have been offered" " says Otago Polytechnic Students' Association Co-President Richard Mitchell.

"All tertiary staff deserve employment conditions, such as job security, just like any other employee in the country" says Otago Polytechnic Students' Association Co-President Richard Mitchell.

"Fixed Term Contracts also lead to unnecessary stress for staff with the end result being lower quality education delivered to students" Mr. Mitchell stated. "OPSA supports real jobs with real conditions", Mr. Mitchell emphasized.

The Nat & Dick Show

It’s a frosty old town; Dunedin is a very frosty old town. There is a culture that exists in this town which seems to allow many of its inhabitants to believe they have the right to act as judge jury and executioner of you simply because you are a student.
This culture is so dominant it has permeated the hallowed halls of our beloved institution. It was not that long ago I was at a meeting where the defacing of polytechnic property came up in the discussion, without a shred of evidence the majority of the attendees concluded that a student had to be responsible. It was not until I pointed out that there was no proof that a student had perpetrated the crime that the meeting entertained the idea that the act of graffiti may have been committed by a person other than a student. Just before I continue with my column, I would like to say if you are the little vandal drawing on the wall… Stop it, now!

So as students what should we do about the student-hating culture? While we are blamed for a lot of things we shouldn’t be, let’s start by telling the small number of our mates who act like dickheads to stop acting like dickheads. Burning couches in the street is never a cool thing do. While I agree that North Dunedin would probably be over-run with crap couches, I don’t believe this justifies risking people lives and destroying our roads. A nice wholesome flat road trip to the dump can be fun, and it is far more likely to please the powers that be. Hell yeah, Road Trip. However, if we continue along our current trajectory we, as a student body, are liable to find our civil liberties eroded. So come on guys lets make sure our good time tonight does not see our freedoms go up in smoke tomorrow.