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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 37, Number 25. 25th September 1974

Student Action for Student Welfare

Student Action for Student Welfare

A motion calling for the establishment of a paid, full time NZUSA Welfare Vice President has been put forward by SRC Welfare Officer, Peter Aagaard. Here he explains why he thinks the position is necessary.

When one looks at the work carried out by NZUSA, it is very noticeable that in the fields of welfare and accommodation, very little has been achieved.

This has been due to the fact that NZUSA, i.e. 35,000 students and their national officers, have in the past been more concerned with the overt political functions of the organisation, and until now, welfare and accommodation have been relegated as relatively minor concerns. This can be seen when one looks at the work carried out by the national officers.

To give a brief summary: Most of the president's time is spent on discussing projects and policy, acting with other officers, dealing with correspondence, visiting other campuses, and generally acting as an overseer and dogsbody.

The International Vice President is concerned with overseas students (Khoo Ee Liam case), anti-apartheid campaign (NZI, South British) organising speakers and delegations (PRG, China Trip, Mr Perkins — Australian Assistant Secretary for Aboriginal Affairs) and other general matters relating to international affairs.

The Education Vice President deals mainly with government especially the Education Department, the University Grants Committee — with regard to bursaries etc, and with the more structured and academic side of university life (workloads, assessment, the Education Development Council).

The Education Research Officer deals mainly with international and educational research (types of assessment, problems of migrant workers) and also helps organise seminars and delegations.

The General Vice President is mainly concerned with actioning national policies, particularly in regard to submissions (to select committee on women's rights, drugs bill, superannuation bill, etc) and some areas of accommodation (tenancy booklet).

Drawing of a woman carrying books

The direct benefit to students from most of this work has been small, and by its very nature, must continue to be so. One cannot expect submissions to bring immediate results for students, nor can one expect research material to effect immediate change. This factor, however, should not obscure the importance of such work. NZUSA's submissions on the Drugs Bill made a very favourable impression thus helping to update an iniquitous piece of legislation. Also studass representatives find some of NZUSA's research material invaluable in actioning our own policies like the lessening of workloads.

Thus the current areas are vitally necessary for continuing the influence NZUSA has, both as a student pressure group and as a research and liaison centre; it is highly undesirable to curtail the work being carried out in these fields.

However, there are many important matters which are not being acted upon. The include the adaption of the sex kit to NZ conditions, the report on student-run flatting schemes, pressure on government for finance for accommodation, the report on university accommodation services, pressure on government for specific funds for welfare services, revision of the Dental Health Act, national physical welfare submissions, national creche submissions.

As can be seen, items like the revision of the Dental Health Act, which would allow universities to employ dentists, are or should be, of paramount importance. The sex kit is also required for a comprehensive sex education course, both at university and secondary schools.

Although there are differences between campuses in the standard of welfare services, most campuses face similar difficulties. For example, the accommodation shortages. Auckland's and Massey's schemes could be instrumental in helping Victoria overcome its housing shortage. This, and many other matters involving co-ordination between the campuses, would be helped by having a central clearing house with someone who had an overall view of the general welfare field (something sadly lacking at the moment).

A welfare vice president would be able to fulfill this need while at the same time carrying out the urgently required action in the welfare and accommodation fields.

In conclusion, I give my full support and strongly urge that all members of VUWSA do likewise, to the motion "That the NZUSA levy be increased by 20c to provide for the establishment of a paid, fulltime, welfare vice president."

—Peter Aagaard, SRC Welfare Officer