NZUSA & VUWSA — 1970 Presidents Report on the Two Unions

The Students' Association over the last few years has been a most striking example of the dynamics of change. When I first arrived at Vic (four years ago) the Association was composed of fewer than five thousand students and was completely run by an executive of fifteen students who made all policy and financial decisions (except certain important decisions which were taken by a General Meeting of the Association). Constant allegations of 'cliquishness' and 'in-group politics' were levelled at the Executive, both in Salient and in general conversation. The Executive of that time met every 2 or 3 weeks. Executive members were efficient and capable, Presidents had a genuine desire to be responsive to student views and the Executive elections were hard-fought and polls were high.

Now, four years later, the Association comprises 5,700 students and the Executive comprises eight students who make all financial decisions of the Association. The only link between the students elected to the Executive is an interest in the Association — this year's Executive form a good working group and get on very well together but did not know each other, except on a very casual basis, prior to election, and did not come from any clearly definable group of student interest. All policy decisions of the Association are to be made by weekly meetings of the SRC (which is open to all students). The Executive elections in 1969, however, were characterized by a lack of candidates, a lack of vigorous campaigning, and a very low poll.

Well we've got it, due largely to their efforts. We've got student participation on University committees and we've got student representation in its most direct, challenging and promising form, in the SRC. What we need now is action, not words. If the whole structure is not to collapse through inertia, we must get it moving. That's easy to say, I suppose, and again it is action we require. So let it now be understood — to give a fair choice for student reps on University Committees SRC will need at least 70 people standing for appointment. There is a great deal of work to be done by SRC sub-committees — especially Education and International Affairs. Large active committees are needed to work from the beginning of the year. You don't need to be an expert to work on these. Okay — advertisement ends.

Where do we go from here? I think we have reached, on paper, a most exciting concept of advanced democracy within the University. This year the paper theories of participation and representation must be made to work in fact and consolidated into a functioning system. That sounds dull — it needn't be. Basically, the future, particularly the long-term future, is up to you. We've come to the paper recognition that the Association is its students. Do you want to save Manapouri? To have a'charity week' during Capping? To put seats in the Mount Street Cemetry? To have a full discussion on whether marijuana should be legalized? To meet at SRC weekly? To have a new Student Union Building and/or a swimming pool? To halt the All Black tour? What do you want? The Association is what we make of it. What do you want in a biscuit?