VUWSA Executive

The VUWSA Executive consists of ten positions who govern the association: the President, Academic Vice President, Welfare Vice President, Engagement Vice President, Treasurer–Secretary, Campaigns Officer, Clubs and Activities Officer, Education Officer, Equity Officer and Sustainability Officer.^[1]

Staff

The association employs a number of staff who work for students and assist the executive in achieving its strategic and operational goals. They are led by the Chief Executive, who oversees the financial and operational functions of the association, and includes two student advocates who provides independent and trained representation in cases of misconduct within the university and grievances with bodies such as StudyLink, WINZ, landlords and the university, a student representation coordinator, who coordinates and trains the student representative system consisting of over 600 students ranging from class representatives and faculty delegates, along with conducting regular programme reviews and advising on university policy, an association secretary, an events manager, a communications manager, a designer, an advertising manager, receptionists, and an accounts administrator.^[4]

VUWSA Trust

The association is supported both financially and strategically by the VUWSA Trust. The trust owns Vic Books, which is a significant source of revenue.^[5] The existence of the Trust is not well known by students.

The trust was established in 1975, and built up a significant reserve of assets when membership of student organisations was compulsory. While VUWSA was still collecting membership fees, about 15% of its fees were passed on to the Trust, which had built up around $8 million of assets by 2006.^[6] The Trust money was used to support students and clubs on campus, fund long-term investments such as the Student Union Building, and also serve as a backup fund in case VUWSA became a voluntary organisation.^[6]

The trust has invested in the fit-out of the Pipitea campus gym, and has also administered the student trust scholarships, fitted out houses for disabled student access and supported Student Job Search.^[7] Most recently, the trust made a significant financial contribution to the building of the recently completed Victoria University Hub on behalf of students.^[8]

Since the introduction of voluntary student membership, the financial assistance from the trust has enabled the association to reduce its deficit gradually without rapidly depleting its cash reserves.

1990s

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2014)

During the presidency of Alastair Shaw between 1997 and 1998, "VUWSA re-introduced the position of women's rights' officer, made moves towards a genuine partnership with Ngai Tauira, and organised a series of mass mobilisations that brought the government's privatisation for tertiary education plans to a halt."^[9]

2000s

In 2007, President Geoff Hayward and Education Vice-president Paul Brown signed off on spending $22,222.22 on upgrading the organisation's van, with work including tinting the windows, fitting mag-wheels and painting the van black. Subsequently, the details of the expenditure on the van were suppressed by the 2008 Executive. In 2009, the Executive and President Max Hardy apologised to the student body for the misappropriation of funds on the van, and it was announced that the broken down van was to be sold in an attempt to regain some of the original expenditure. Hardy said: "I think we can now put the shameful VUWSA van controversy behind us".^[10]

Also in 2007, Salient revealed that acting Women's Rights Officer Clelia Opie had spent over $4,000 of VUWSA funds on psychic hotlines. She was subsequently dismissed from the role.^[11]

In 2008, President Joel Cosgrove courted controversy by wearing a T-shirt which said "I (heart) my penis" to a graduation ceremony in an official capacity. Cosgrove was attempting to promote sexual health for men, but his choice of clothing was widely criticised and labelled embarrassing.^{[by whom?][12]}

In May 2009, President Jasmine Freemantle, who had run for president on a Workers' Party platform, was expelled from the Workers' Party. Furthermore, the Party called for her resignation as VUWSA President. The Party justified its actions by arguing that: "Her actions indicate outright rejection in practice of basic WP – and basic left-wing – principles."^[13] Freemantle wrote a long blog post in response, arguing that: "The reality is that my expulsion from the WP says more about the current direction the Party than it does about my politics, or the work I'm currently doing in my role as VUWSA President."^[14]

Initial stages of voluntary student membership: 2012–2013

VUWSA after the introduction of VSM: 2014–2018

In July 2014, VUWSA President Sonya Clark reflected on the impact of voluntary student membership two years after the change:

"If you're not aware of VSM, this law shook the foundation of students’ associations in New Zealand. Our role as an independent voice suffered hugely – we lost our right to represent you on University boards and committees to a University-run Student Forum. Funding dropped dramatically as we moved from a universal membership fee to an annual negotiation of funding with the University that didn't cover core costs. We had to close our satellite offices and cut right back on Orientation, events, Clubs funding and other services. The last two years have been tough."^[22]

Despite the challenges Clark outlined, she was optimistic about the future of the association, noting that the finances are projected to be out of deficit and the relationship with the university has improved. As part of a process of self-evaluation, VUWSA engaged an independent reviewer to investigate relationships with key partners. The reviewer found that: "VUWSA tries to do too many things, that our reputation rests too much on who is the President at the time, and that VUWSA doesn't speak enough for the ‘average’ student", findings that VUWSA agreed with.^[22]

In September 2014, VUWSA President Sonya Clark announced that after a unanimous vote by the executive, VUWSA would be withdrawing from the New Zealand Union of Students' Associations (NZUSA), saving VUWSA $45,000 every year in membership fees. President Clark said:

"Students gave us the mandate to stay if there were significant reforms. There haven't been. Now what's important is having the conversation to make sure there's a strong national voice on student issues, in a more effective use of $45,000 student dollars. We take our fiduciary responsibility with students’ money seriously."^[23]

In September 2015, students voted in a referendum (at the same time as Executive elections) to rejoin NZUSA. 1,251 students (72 per cent) voted for VUWSA to rejoin, while 476 students (28 per cent) voted to stay withdrawn.^[24]

Increasing engagement and activism, 2018–2020

In March 2018, VUWSA together with the VUW Law Students Society marched to the offices of Russel McVeagh in Wellington to protest the growing culture of sexual violence in law firms. In August 2018, VUWSA led a student march to Parliament demanding higher funding for mental health support for tertiary students.

In September 2018, Tamatha Paul became the first ever Māori wahine to be elected president of VUWSA.^[25] She led an executive where the majority were people of colour. Paul went on to be elected to Wellington City Council while still President.^[26]

The 2019 Executive elections saw the largest number of candidates running for exec positions at 28. This saw the election of the first immigrant student as president in the person of Philippine-born law student Geo Robrigado. He previously served as chairperson of the volunteer corps of University of the Philippines Los Baños University Student Council, and is the oldest to be elected president at 32.