The Waikato Student Union is under scrutiny by watchdog group Student Choice for its loss of $102,000 on orientation events over the past 3 years.
Challenging WSU’s handling of funds, Student Choice asks how losing over $100k can be described as a service to students. Using this as their reasoning, they stated that students should have a choice between whether or not to pay for orientation events, speaking on behalf of ‘the many’ students who cannot afford to pay for O-Week, an event which costs each student approximately $3.50 from their compulsory $100
What was left out of the various press releases is that the WSU returned an overall surplus of $100,000 for each of the years concerned. Also, the ‘loss’ is not of any secret whatsoever, with financial statements being on the internet at societies.govt.nz for everyone to access.
Attacking primarily O-Week, a festival-like event vital in creating a sense of community, Student Choice forgets that it is not the only thing that WSU provides for its students. Clubs, a cheap recreation centre, hardship services, academic and personal advocacy, and even the magazine you’re reading are all funded by the WSU.
Along with fellow right wing group Young Nats, Student Choice supports the Freedom of Association Bill to make student union membership voluntary, of which was introduced by MP Roger Douglas.
What is really witnessed here is just another of the many press releases over the past few months attempting to shine a negative light on all Student Associations. Don’t be fooled like all the other sheeple, pull through the wool that’s in front of your eyes!