Mid year already

Its hard to believe that that we are in June already, in many ways we look back over the last 5 months and wonder where they have gone. We hare both really enjoying this job, really enjoying interacting with the students, and we are so grateful for the aweseom executive we have this year. Their passion for OPSA is contagious, they want to continue do great events for the students, and keep improving the environment here. Coming up on the 12 of June we are having an event in the Quad area, so if you are around come and check it out, there will be lolly scrambles, fun and free stuff!! I am not going to tell you what it is about, you will need to come along and check it out!!
Righteo time for me to head off and get some other stuff done

ka kite ano

Polytech Conference

Well we are back!! 10 of us headed up to Nelson for the NZUSA (New Zealand Union Student Associations) for the Polytech conference, must admit the town is beautiful!! But nothing beats our campus!! (ok a bit biased)
It was great to meet some of the exec from other campuses and catch up with the presidents, the OPSA exec were fantastic, and showed that they had been doing their research on the different workshops that were at the conference. We are all still writing our reports for the conference, and if anyone is interested in reading them come on over to the office in a couple of weeks.
On to the next thing now, there is going to be another lunch time event coming up over in the quad, not going to tell you what it is for yet, but keep an eye out for the posters...I will give you an idea of the date, it will be on the 12th June. We are looking into having some more social events as well like another quiz night, and maybe something else in the evening, if you have any ideas please let us know!

Righteo, until next week

Term 1 wind-up

Well with the month of April drawing to a close, it is time we made a special mention of the new OPSA executive committee. Elected less than 2 months ago, the exec is already expressing their interest in student issues for 2008.
With almost all of the portfolios taken these guys have been out organising events such as 10 billion dollar debt day and helping plan the campaigns for the year, on the 8th of April we are taking the Executive on their first conference in nelson. This is an annual conference held by NZUSA to help represent polytechnics on the national level. It’s a great chance for the exec to get out there and start expressing their opinions on things and really start learning about the issues face by today students around New Zealand.
A big thanks to all of you guys and girls who came along to the recent 10 billion dollar debt day on the 10th, the turnout was great, and all of you were really vocal about the issues. And were really stoked about the signatures we got on the banner, some of the comments were awesome and we expect some real tractions on the debt issue in the next election.
Anyway guys enjoy the next half of the semester and we look forward to seeing you all at the next OPSA event which is to be confirmed.
Cheers
Meegan and Ryan
OPSA Co-Presidents 2008

March/April

So here we go the 2nd edition of our blog, I hope you all have had the chance to read at least of these editions as they are OPSA's best source of communication with you guys out there.
Recently the OPSA quiz night was held with raging success, a big thanks to all of those that turned up to enjoy the night.
The demand was so great that we decided to have another one, so keep and ear out and be sure to be in for the next one
Also coming up is 10 billion dollar debt day on the 10th of april
on the 10th student debt will hit the 10 billion dollar mark so OPSA is having a bit of an activity to show our discust at the government and also give you guys and girls a chance to be heard. so be sure to be in the forth st campus quad and make yourself heard.
Also the OPSA Exec has been elected, so a big thanks to all of you who went to the AGM and had your say in how OPSA is run. In may we will be taking the Exec away to nelson for their first NZUSA
(New Zealand Union of Students Associations)Polytechnic confernece. while away they will be representing all of you on national issues and helping NZUSA decide on what direction to take on these issues.
So if you have anything you would like them to take away and discuss with NZUSA and other ITP's let OPSA know.
Anyway people keep up the good studys and feel free to let us know whats going on in your side of things if you feel the urge
Cheers Meegan and Ryan
OPSA Co-Presidents

O week

It is great to see the campus alive with students!! Orientation was a lot of fun, getting to meet some of the students through the inductions and orientation events, and both look forward to meeting more of you over the year. It seems that in the first week there is a lot of information that is given to everyone, and I remember when I was a student I was feeling really overwhelmed with it all, I guess the main thing that we would like everyone to remember is if you have any questions at all, OPSA is here for you.
At the moment there are nomination forms out to get on to our executive, they are available in Gyro, and also at the OPSA office if you want to pop in and grab one. Being on the exec is a lot of fun, you get the opportunity to meet other students on a national level at conferences. OPSA is a member of NZUSA, New Zealand Union Student Association, the national body that represents students, it works towards making students lives a lot better, if you want to have your voice heard more than it already is, become one of our exec and use that avenue. If you want to know what the different types of portfolios that are available again just come on into the office and we will print one off for you.
Time to head off and get some other work done, we are both looking forward to meeting you over the coming year.

OPSA Co-Presidents

Presidents Goodbye

The elections have been held and your 2008 Co-Presidents have been elected which means I will be vacating office on the 31st December 2007.

It has been an absolute pleasure serving you all for the past two years. Thank to all our members who have made my job as exciting as possible. Thank you to all polytechnic staff and senior management who showed me a great deal of respect and took what I had to say seriously.

Thank you to the OPSA staff without whom my job would not have been possible at all. The staff do not give themselves enough credit for the work they do. OPSA have a fantastic group of staff and I would like to thank each and every one of them for assisting me in performing my duties and President of the Association.

To everyone who is graduating at the end of this year. Congratulations on your achievements. Remember graduation day is your day. Enjoy it.

To everyone who is continuing study next year. Hang in there when the going gets tough as the rewards at the end are well worth it.

To Ryan and Meegan, good luck for next year. Keep up the good fight.

Thank you,

Richard Mitchell
2006 Co-President & 2007 President

The Year That Was - 2007

January

Enter two new Presidential staff. Well one new and one not so new. January was a good start to a great year. Richard and Ryan begin planning for the year and outlines events and such things.

February

Enter….students. OPSA was flooded with students’ requiring ID cards and assistance with various things such as enrolments issues and student loan and allowance applications

Orientation
This years Orientation was the highest ticket selling orientation in orientation history

Student Services Area
OPSA opened out student service self service area which includes binding, laminating, black and white and colour photocopying, internet access, OP network access, fax machine.

March

OPSA Annual General Meeting
OPSA’s annual general meeting was held in March. At this meeting the 2007 OPSA Executive was elected and the meeting accepted the 2006 budget, approved the 2007 budget and accepted the 2006 Co-Presidents report.

Graduation Parade
The parade preceding the graduation ceremony was enjoyed by all and was a change for all graduates to enjoy a day dedicated entirely to them.

March Graduation
The first graduation for 206 was held in the Town Hall. OP also held their third Maori Graduation Ceremony

St. Patrick’s Day
OPSA celebrated St. Patrick’s Day (well at least the Friday before) with a fantastic morning breakfast for all students who were brave enough to come out at 8:30 in the morning. Such a great feed.

April

Interest Fee Student Loans
OPSA celebrated the 1st anniversary of Labours Interest Fee Student Loans policy by providing cake in the student centre and combining with OUSA to provide events on both the University and Polytechnic campuses.

May

Soup Kitchens
After the success of the Soup Kitchens in 2006, OPSA restarted these to help you through the winter months.

June

Holidays
A big part of June was taken up with holidays.


July

Gyro Digital
OPSA embraced the digital age and put your magazine, Gyro, online. This can be viewed at http://www.gyro.org.nz

August

2007 University Sport Snow Games
Otago Polytechnic was the only polytechnic in New Zealand invited to enter a team for the 2007 University Sport Snow Games. The games were full of hard fought competition and the Otago Polytechnic got a silver medal. Hadley Boyle (Bachelor of Product Design) has taken Otago Polytechnic’s first ever medal at the University Snow Games.
Boyle’s combined run time of 137.88 in the Snowboard Giant Slalom Men’s placed him second out of 35, between Phil Dominick of Massey Albany (first place with 137.27) and Will Marshall of Canterbury University.

OPSA’s new logo
OPSA created a new logo. It is much more modern and good looking.


September

Fee Setting
Despite the work that was done around a zero fee increase at Otago Polytechnic for 2008, the Otago Polytechnic Council still voted to increase 2008 tuition fees to the maximum allowable under the Fee Course Cost Maxima Scheme.

Tertiary Challenge
OPSA worked with a group of students from the Otago Sports Institute lead by Geoff Simons and Terry Wilson in organising the Southern Tertiary Challenge. Unfortunately, for reasons outside of OPSA’s control, the Southern Tertiary Challenge was cancelled.

Cultural Food Festival
12 groups from various nations cooked food for the day. All groups were well received and nothing but positive comments were made about the day.

October

SJS Regional Chair
Ryan Ward was nominated for the position of 2008 Student Job Search Otago Regional Caucus Chair. There were two candidates nominated and the vote was tied. Ryan, proving that he is a bigger man than the other candidate, withdrew warning the newly elected RC chair, and I quote, “I will ride him for all of 2008”.

November

OPSA Staff Awards
In recognition of the quality of the lecturers at Otago Polytechnic, OPSA awarded eight staff, from student nominations, the 2007 Staff Awards.

OPSA Blues Awards
OPSA was honoured to award the following students with the 2007 OPSA Blues Awards:

Media Release; OP Fees Raised by Maximum

Otago Polytechnic Council today increased fees by the maximum allowed under the fee maxima policy. Most students studying at Otago Polytechnic in 2008 will now see their fees increase by up to 5% on the 2007 levels.

This is the fourth 5% fee raise passed the Otago Polytechnic Council in as many years.

“Students will have now seen a virtual fee increase of more than 16% since 2004. This completely out strips inflation” states Richard Mitchell, OPSA President.

“It is disappointing to see that the Council has backed away from their own commitment and responsibilities to barrier-free education” states Mr Mitchell.

The Otago Polytechnic Council also had the option of a zero percent fee raise.

“This would have sent a very obvious and bold statement to the government stating that the Council are not prepared to pass the costs of under-funding on to indebted students.” said Mr Mitchell

Government under-funding contributes largely to the problem.

“While it would be easy to blame the Council for free increases, the root of the problem is under-funding by successive governments is” says Mr Mitchell

Contact for further comment:
Richard Mitchell
President
Otago Polytechnic Students’ Association

Phone/Fax: 03 477 6974
Mobile: 027 320 2956
Email: president@opsa.org.nz

Media Release; Students warn Polytechnic council against further fee increases

Students at the Otago Polytechnic warn the Polytechnic’s council that fee increases would not be tolerated by students under any circumstances.

“Students at Otago Polytechnic are fed up and annoyed after paying hundreds of dollars in constant fee increases and will not tolerate further increases,” said Richard Mitchell, president of the Otago Polytechnic Students’ Association (OPSA).

Otago Polytechnic chose to increase its fees up to the maximum of 5% under the Fee Course Cost Faxima scheme for the past two years

“Fee increases are not necessary to balance the Polytechnic’s books. Why the Polytechnic would want to take even more money in 2007 from students who are already struggling to pay the bills is a complete mystery,” said Mitchell.

“The government needs to put its money where its mouth is and start funding tertiary institutions properly,” stated Mr Mitchell

The Polytechnic will set it’s 2008 tuition fees at the Polytechnic Council meeting this afternoon, Wednesday 5th September 2007, at 3:15pm

Ends

For more information contact:
Richard Mitchell
President
Otago Polytechnic Students’ Association (OPSA)
Phone/Fax: 03 477 6974
Mobile: 027 320 2956
Email: president@opsa.org.nz

Media Release; OPSA Spices it up

Tomorrow OPSA hosts it’s second ever International Food Festival following the success of last year’s event.

“Last year’s Food Festival was well patronised and very colourful event, with a good chance to sample food from many areas of the world.” said Otago Polytechnic Students’ Association (OPSA) President, Richard Mitchell.

The Festival showcases the ethnic diversity of the Otago polytechnic. Food stalls this year include; Samoa, India, Kiwi, Japan, Ireland, and the United States of America.

“Otago Polytechnic students come from many different areas of the globe, and the Festival is a great opportunity to see the different flavours of the Polytechnic” stated Mr Mitchell.

This year’s Festival will also see new stalls including a Queertopia food stall, and a stall featuring the famous good of a fictional country.

Food will be served at 12 noon, Wednesday 5 September. Prompt attendance is recommended for those wanting a great range of samples.


Further information:
Richard J Mitchell
President
Otago Polytechnic Students’ Association

Phone/Fax: 03 477 6974
Mobile: 027 320 2956
Email: president@opsa.org.nz

Media Release; OPSA Calls for Investment in International Students

OPSA welcomes National's recognition for the need to invest in international students. On Friday Pansy Wong pointed out that "In 2004 there were 112,675 foreign fee-paying students, which slumped to 98,266 by 2005. A more than 10% drop in a single year cannot be ignored". However, Pansy did not say what or how National would reverse these figures.

Students know of course.

The best way to invest in international students and increase numbers is to decrease the inflated fees international students pay.

However, Ms Wong also states that "What was a growing and lucrative foreign currency earner for New Zealand has suffered at the hands of Labour's inconsistent immigration and international education policies."

OPSA is concerned National sees international students as cash cows to be used to help fund our currently under-funded education system.

OPSA calls for all parties to increase investment in education by increasing funding and regulating fees downwards.

For more information contact:

Richard J Mitchell
President
Otago Polytechnic Students’ Association

Phone/Fax: 03 477 6974
Mobile: 027 320 2956
Email: president@opsa.org.nz