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Salient. Victoria University of Wellington Students' Newspaper. Vol. 32, No. 20. September 4, 1969

Opinion

Opinion

I was prompted to write this article after reading a comment in a recent edition of the Evening Post regarding the apathy shown by students over the election of officers for next year's executive. And oh, how prevalent this apathy is! At a university of over 5000 students only 20 people were sufficiently interested to seek nomination, and of these eight were elected unopposed to fill vacancies for 15 positions. What a chronic situation we have if this reflects the student attitude towards their own affairs.

I was one of those elected—unopposed What feeling do I get from this; one of achievement? No, only a feeling of vexation for the apathetic altitude shown by students towards student affairs. Here I am a fresher, having been at Victoria for only six months, and I am elected to the student controlling body; an insignificant student whom few people know; those who do were both surprised and reflective when my name appeared announcing my election to the position of Public Relations Officer for l970.

I am interested in student affairs, I am interested in what the public think of students, hut I crawl when I hear some of the comments and read some of the articles levelled at students and their activities I am not however surprised at the attitude of the public and perhaps I shouldn't worry myself as long as the allegations aren't levelled at me. I'm only at Varsity to get a degree; to take from the institution what I can get. I'm not worried about what I can give back to the place, or how it is governed, just so long as I get my units and can graduate. A complacent attitude to take but this seems to be the prevalent attitude among students.

If this is the prevalent attitude' can one blame the public for their feelings towards the student body. I. fortunately am not one of the students who can sit around and he criticised. The public have got to convinced that under that scruffy countenance there is a brain sometimes a talented one. But the first move downward this goal must be made by the students. There appears, however, to be no interest amongst the mass of the student body. This apathy is evidenced at the meetings of the Student Representative Council, where after about 30 minutes there is a struggle to get a quorum; and now it can be seen in the election of next year's executive.

Who are the first to cry out when criticism is levelled at students and the universities? The students the same students who are too lazy to do anything about their image; who are so self-centred that they aren't interested in their own affairs. And often when a small group tries to do anything to create student interest they are subjected to criticism both internal and external.

I hope my unopposed election creates controversy. I hope it creates envy and disgust, a disquiet felt by senior students who think it is a bit poor that interest in student affairs is so limited that a fresher can become a member of Executive.

Now I am here, don't expect much folks I am not expecting internal support and without this my plans for the job Will be jeopardised. But next time there is an election, think of me, and ask yourself how I got this position.