SGM

Obviously attracted by the prospect of Paul Norman's 5,000 word motion concerning the constitutional relationship between VUWSA and the Environment and Peace Institute, 300 students crowded the Union Hall for what turned out to be the most enteraining show in that room since Rebbeca Perrott won a bronze medal in the 200 metres.

However, the whole meeting was taken up with a minor motion - that of the raising of the Students' Association from $37 to $43.

Where does it go?

With the aid of a large blackboard, Lindy Cassidy explained the meaning of the various catagories and gave reasons for the increases.

General Account: The administration of the Association - campaigns, wages, overheads, levies to other organisations like NZUSA and Students' Arts Council.

Building Fund: Controlled by the University and used to build the Recreation Centre extensions.

Maintenance Fund: Controlled by the University it goes to mainaining the Union Building and the Recreation Centre - cleaning, repairs, overheads, staffing etc.

VUWSA Trust: This is a charitable trust where the Association keeps all its money due to the fact that VUWSA is a non-profit making body.

Sports Council: Administers VUWSA sport and gives grants to clubs.

Publications Board: Administers Salient and Handbook.

Due mainly to the tight control of VUWSA's finances and sensible administration by Treasurer Steve Underwood, the levy has not risen since 1976, although the Association is running a budget deficit this year.

One thorn in the side of VUWSA has been the University's interference in its finances. Although at first it appears that students control their own money, the University approves the levy, collects it, earns interest on it, and eventually hands it over to VUWSA in instalments throughout the year. This gives it considerable bargaining power over the Association, a fact graphically illustrated in the maintenance costs of the Recreation Centre. Although the SGM felt strongly that the University should provide the money for the running of the Recreation Centre as a necessary student facility (like, for example, the health service), the University insisted that 50% of the running costs must come from the students. In the final analysis, since it is the University that controls the Maintenance Fund, the Association had no choice.

Next year the University intends to review the entire union financing and it is likely that students will be asked to fork out even more money for what are essentially part of their study conditions - health facilities, counselling, career advice, creche and the Student Union Building.

This is just another indication of the financial crisis in the University and the economic crisis in society. If students allow themselves to pay for what is their right, then that will provide the thin end of the wedge with more restrictions in faculties, in the library, and any other way the University can "save money".

The other aspect of the new fee which attracted attention was the lack of parity of the grants to the Sports Council and the Cultural Affairs Committee. In 1978, the Cultural Affairs Committee received $3,000 from the Association while Sports Council raked in $15,000. Chris Chapman, star of stage, screen and, somewhat unsuccessfully, University Challenge moved:

That the Sports Council levy not be increased for next year.

This provoked considerable friction between what Andrew Tees described as the "culture lobby" and the "sports lobby" during which the the Cultural Affairs Officer - elect, received a custard pie in the face from an unidentified punk rocker sporting swept round sun-glasses and clingy black leather trousers.

This pseudo-punker was probably a member of the culture faction as it was revealed that the CAO-elect in question, Michael Carr-Gregg, had consumated a secret deal with the Association Treasurer on the Cultural Affairs levy without the knowledge of the Cultural Affair Committee.

Reason however prevailed, as did Paul Norman, and the motion was defeated, the culture faction vowing to seek revenge at the '79 AGM. After some two hours discussion the $43 levy as was approved with only miniscule opposition.

Elections and a Great Honour

Two other items were dispensed with before the SGM closed. An amendment delaying the election of the VUWSA Executive in future to the third term was passed and a touch of humour was added when the Callinicos-Sowman clique succeeded in renaming all the remaining SRC's for the year "The Paul Norman Variety Show".

Mnay of the stoic qualities that characterise Paul Norman, a speaker who never lets audience reaction deter him, were extolled at great length. Such is the respect that the mover and seconder have for Paul, that they are thinking of further moving that he be preserved in concrete from the knees down and thrown into Wellington Harbour.

David Murray