The term “Union” can be a little scary. We don’t blame you for wondering, “should I join?”
The truth is we aren’t that sort of a Union. We are a Student Association that exists because two other associations merged in the 70s. Think of it like a gender non-binary wedding where neither wanted to take the others last name – so the Teachers Association and the Students’ Association became the Waikato Students’ Union (WSU).
But what is the Students’ Union and why should I care?
The easiest way to answer this is to think about our organisation as two separate people at a party. There’s the Comms and Engagement half that deal with Nexus, Events, Social Media and all the free sausages/vegetarian sausages you can eat. These are the people at the party making sure you always have a drink in your hand, and you’re making new friends.
Then there is the serious half. They are the people that deal with Representation, Student Support and Class Reps. At this hypothetical party, they are the ones who are holding your hair away from your face as you throw up.
So, what is in it for me?
Honestly, that is a really selfish question and we expect better of you… But the reality is that the WSU is like having an older sibling on campus. Sometimes we are a little uncool and trying too hard, but other times we are doing everything we can to look after you. Throughout the course of your student experience, you will meet the louder, more fun parts of the organisation at Orientations and events but we only do that so we can also be here if you need us.
We are the ones you should come and find if your landlord is being a dick, if you feel that a lecturer is being unfair, or if you have randomly volunteered to be a class rep and have no idea what that means in reality.
Ok, but what is the catch?
There absolutely isn’t one. Every service we offer is free, confidential and hopefully easy to find (even though they wont let us paint the Student Union Building yellow). More than that, with a few notable exceptions, this isn’t your mum’s student union filled with the regular cavalcade of old grey haired people. It’s an organisation run BY STUDENTS FOR STUDENTS. It has 12 elected members including a President, Vice-President, Vice-President Māori, and Tauranga director. Most of the staff are recent graduates or current students, and the entire agenda is set at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) that you get to vote on every year.
What’s the deal then?
Apart from picking up this magazine, the easiest way to stay in touch is to just hit us up. You can do that on all the social media and web platforms listed below or just by coming to see us is the SUB (the big building opposite the dairy).
Facebook: Waikato Students’ Union
Instagram: @WaikatoStudents
Website: wsu.org.nz
