Getting a job !!!

With the holidays coming up, it's time for many students to start looking for jobs. Over the last few years there has been some difficulty in finding vacation employment and this year doesn't look any better. With the economic crisis there are even less jobs than usual and if students don't want to end up being scapegoats (as have solo mothers), they'll have to get in fast.

The essential thing is to ask around early. While waiting till exams are over may be easier at the time, it will be of no help whatsoever when you get out to find that all the jobs have been taken. The first thing to do is to contact last years employers and see if they can use you again. If, having done this and looked around, you still haven't found a job, don't just think, "Oh well, I'll keep trying — you never know", but go to the Labout Department and register. This is extremely important. They will try to find you a job (either in ordinary vacation employment or on special work). Should they fail, you will be in line for an emergency unemployment benefit which you will have to apply separately for at the Social Welfare Department. Special work generally consists of employment in various Government Departments, paid on the same basis as an ordinary student worker would be paid (i.e. stuff all). Students receive no special priority in getting this work but fall within the existing criteria for normal people e.g. married men and other "breadwinners" have priority.

The basic rate is the same as that of the standard benefit but may be adjusted according to the amount of hardship which the Department feels the student is under. Those who have earnings will be penalised by a reduction of the benefit payable, with their overall financial position also taken into account ; those who are unmarried and live at home will be means-tested and their rate of payment settled accordingly, whether they receive support from their parents or not ; themselves and their parents will not be means-tested but instead subjected to revealing details of their private lives and the estrangement to Department Officials, a practice which could be highly embarrassing to both parties concerned.

For those who do not have to undergo this obstacle course but instead manage to get a job, the first thing to do is join the Union. The importance of doing this was proved to twelve students at the beginning of the year in the Cable-Price affair. They had not joined the union and, when the management backtracked on promises of employment till the end of the varsity leave-year, this made it difficult for the Union Secretary when he acted for them. Although the affair was happily resolved in the end with the help of Lindy Cassidy, President of VUWSA, things could have been different had the [unclear: onion] sent the student packing because they were not members.

This also brings out the last point — that students having difficulties and after exhausting other avenues, should not hestitate to approach the Students' Association. They will do all they can for you.

Jobs will be hard to come by this summer. Those who follow the advice in this article and that outlined below will have a head- start - You'd be a sucker not to.

— Lamorna Rogers (Welfare Officer).

Overseas Students

Overseas students who think they may have difficulty obtaining an extension of their student permit to continue their studies in 1978 are invited to discuss their situation with Ian Boyd, Director of Student Welfare Services, who acts as the University's liaison officer with the Department of Labour.

Overseas students wishing to discuss their situation with the Director should telephone 721 000 extension 675 for an appointment when their 1977 examinations results are available. The Director's office is at 6 Kelburn Parade.

For students who have been wondering what the latest news is on the cutbacks campaign and also what has happened to NOSAC, this piece of news will perhaps help to clear the doubt.

For the latest news on the cutbacks, the [unclear: attle] is still on as we have yet to see the government announcing the reversal of its policy. NOSAC is at present lobbying various outside bodies for support.

Although a very newly formed national body (formed during ISC in May) NOSAC has played an effective role in the recent overseas students cutbacks campaign. It has provided good leadership and is coordination in uniting both overseas and local students in a co-ordinated effort long against the cutbacks and the results of the long and hard work can be seen in the OSAC meeting (July 27) when OSAC sought the non implementation of the further quota on overseas students. Perhaps what should not pass unnoticed is the role of NZUSA. Without their advice, encouragement and dedication the task would have been much more difficult. National Office had actually prepared all the six leaflets and background material and their research office is always available for our use. VUWSA has also played a great role in helping the local action committee and a word of appreciation should go to them.

At the August Council NOSAC was retained as an official standing committee of NZUSA — This should be good news to overseas students because a national body will be more effective in campaigning for their interests. In future NOSAC's role is to participate in local and international campaigns to promote the interests of all students and also it will help to promote greater understanding by the NZ people.

If NOSAC is to grow, then overseas students should come forward and play an active role in guiding NOSAC.

—Asian Student.

Tired, listless, lacking energy? You could need pluravit.

It is drawn to the attention of students that the University endeavours to provide special examination facilities for those with physical disabilities and for others in exceptional circumstances during the end-of-year degree examinations. Students who wish to make use of such facilities should contact either the Examinations Officer in the Robert Stout Building, or one of the Student Welfare Service staff members.

Students are advised to read the aegrotat regulations in the University Calendar. If in doubt about whether to submit an aegrotat application, enquiries should be directed to the Academic Registrar, Examinations Officer, or staff members mentioned above.