OUSA Exec members face deeper pay cuts for third quarter

The University of Otago Students' Association (OUSA) Executive has applied the first pay cuts of the academic year. Four members of the board saw their honorariums reduced for the third quarter, reflecting a review of their workload and attendance. The cuts are deeper than those issued last year, although fewer members received them. Last year, seven officials saw reductions, mostly in the 10 to 15 percent range.

Fergus Parks, the Postgraduate Representative, received the largest reduction at 30 percent. His average weekly hours for the quarter were 5.32, below the required 10 hours. Rihana Warsame, the Welfare and Equity Representative, had her pay cut by 25 percent. She averaged 10.7 hours per week, down from 18 hours in the second quarter. Warsame cited time spent away from campus and difficulties managing communication tools during the time difference as factors in her lower output.

President Daniel Leamy defended the decisions, stating that the reductions reflect a commitment to collective accountability. He noted that the board is paid with student money, which creates specific expectations for each role. Leamy described the process as a fair and constructive way for the Executive to take its responsibilities seriously. The board also considered personal circumstances, such as sickness and family issues, when making these determinations.

Troy Gibbons, the Finance and Strategy Officer, worked an average of 21.77 hours per week, exceeding his 20-hour requirement. He described the quarter as hectic, citing his attendance at protests and graduation ceremonies. Gibbons also reported that the board reached 90 percent of its target for a Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions posture. He credited colleagues Kamesha Jones and Flynn Nisbett for their contributions to this goal and general election preparations.

Kamesha Jones, the Administrative Vice President, averaged 19.95 hours per week. She described her role as the connective tissue between the Executive, staff, and the union's purpose. Jones admitted that many of her annual goals had been sidetracked due to a poorly attended Special General Meeting. She remains focused on increasing student engagement and hopes to pursue administrative reforms in her second term, for which she was recently re-elected.

Flynn Nisbett, the Political Representative, exceeded his 10-hour weekly target, averaging 9.14 hours for the quarter but 11.96 hours for the year. He met with 13 politicians and coordinated with four other student associations on issues including fees-free education and paid placements. Nisbett helped organize two of the largest student protests in the last 30 years. The OUSA board also enrolled over 500 students, a figure that trails the Victoria University Students' Association.

The board has several upcoming priorities, including the general election and the launch of a new residential campaign. Zoe Eckhoff, the Residential Representative, is working on a green sticker campaign to help students rate their living conditions. The design deadline for this project is November. The Executive also aims to establish a Residential Committee, a goal that has remained unfinished throughout the year. Eckhoff plans to continue this work during her second term.

Hansini Wijekoon, the Academic Representative, averaged 21.75 hours per week. Her focus has been on AI policy and the Academic Integrity Policy. A proposal to split the Academic Representative role into two positions is awaiting final approval from the student body. This change aims to reduce the committee workload that currently consumes most of the role's time. Wijekoon also noted that reforming the Lecture Recording Policy depends on improving student attendance rates.