Everybody loves a scandal. Especially when it concerns politicians. Right now universities throughout the country are buzzing with rumours about NZUSA—the New Zealand University Students Association. Victoria has, so far, remained relatively untouched by the gossip and intrigue: no one has suggested that we should pull out, as three other campuses have resolved to do, no one is screaming for blood, no one even seems particularly worried.

The articles on the following pages attempt to pinpoint the main areas of controversy, to analyse what is happening on other campuses and to outline the stand of some of the protagonists.

Some things are deliberately not covered here. The state of the Student Travel Bureau (which has recently announced a scaling down of operations), the position at Massey (the third campus to opt for withdrawal after Canterbury and Lincoln), and the criticism of Research Officer Dave MacPherson (who has been a little too active, and quite a bit too blunt for some people's taste) are all hanging in limbo at the present moment and very little information is available. We will be running stories on them as soon as possible.

NZUSA is facing a crisis. Constituents have threatened withdrawal before, but not to such an extent and in concert with such fierce attack on the national leadership.

In spite of this, things don't look as bad as they did a few months ago. At a meeting of the National Executive on April 1st there were clear indications that the tide was turning.

Canterbury President Mike Lee, once the leader of the breakaway faction in NZUSA, has gradually aquired a more neutral position. Both he and Lincoln President Guy Macindoe now seem to be seeking the formula by which their associations will stay in the organisation; but not without some fairly major changes. These will undoubtedly involve policy, but their exact nature has not yet been discussed. This must occur at the following May Council.

At the same time Otago President Andrew Guest has pushed his barrow right to the front. Guest has become the belligerent provocateur at a time when everyone else seemed to have moderated their stance and adopted a more positive outlook. On the National Executive support for his tactics has gradually diminished, although many constituent presidents still identify the same points to query.

Right now little in the way of extreme action or significant change can be attempted. May council is still three weeks away. This year it will be held at Lincoln College and could well reveal the wide ranging changes that have been in the offing for so long.