Well done Auckland students
April 22nd, 2004 at 8:43 pm by David FarrarThe Auckland University Students’ Association announced this week the results of the 11 referenda (open to all members of AUSA) it held.
Auckland University used to be the most radical campus in the country, and many of the Labour Party elite come from there.
Two of their resolutions are great to read:
“That AUSA opposses all forms of racial discrimination at Auckland University.”
“That the AUSA President apologise to students for labelling Don Brash a racist after his call for all New Zealanders to be treated equally regardless of race.”
AUSA members also voted to withdraw from NZUSA.
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April 23rd, 2004 at 8:50 am
Great stuff! Being instrumental to bringing VSM to AUSA is one of my proudest chaievements.
Vote:April 23rd, 2004 at 8:51 am
Perhaps I should have spent less time politicking and nore time in lectures! *achievements
Vote:April 23rd, 2004 at 10:06 am
Glenn who?
I knew everyone involved in those campaigns and I don’t remember a Glenn, or certainly not an “instrumental” Glenn. Most of the hard work was done by Graham Watson, Ben Thomas and a few others.
Vote:April 29th, 2004 at 1:34 pm
Ben Thomas???? Give me a break! I must have been before your time, kiddo.
Vote:April 29th, 2004 at 3:03 pm
Glenn,
I was at university between 1996 and 2000. AUSA first voted for voluntary membership exactly five years ago today in 1999.
If you are suggesting you played an instrumental part in that campaign then you are a liar. It is as plain and simple as that. I know who was doing it and you weren’t one of them.
I am glad you are on the same side, but please do not take credit for things you did not do. Just tip your hat and enjoy the anniversary.
)
Vote:April 29th, 2004 at 3:11 pm
In the best tradition of consensus politics, let’s look at it like this:
In 1996, VSM was a fringe movement led by the Student Choice nerd-army (including Glenn, assuming he is Glenn Lamont). However, the Waikato branch were instrumental in programming Tony Steel (a life-like android created in the treehouse of Martin Koopman’s parents’ back yard)to promulgate the Education Amendment bill, providing for VSM referenda on campuses nationwide. This was important.
Across the country, these referenda failed, except in Auckland. This is because other campuses’ VSM campaigns were spearheaded by the afformentioned Rick Marshal clones, who could not prise themselves away from their Dungeons and Dragons games long enough to put up a serious fight. Auckland had Graham Watson, Ben Thomas (that would be me), Blair Mulholland and a cast of thousands working damn hard to make sure students understood the referendum and mobilised to vote. This was also important.
So, I think the honours are shared. Except Glenn Lamont did nail a Womens’ Rights Officer, so he wins in a points decision
Vote:October 20th, 2004 at 1:02 am
Yet Students repealed the decision to leave NZUSA, when they had a reasonable referendum put in front of them.
I know Blair put his hand up for Clubs and Socs this year, but what I don’t understand is why ACT on campus continually complain about student politicians yet never stand.
I know a refrain of the ACT party is influence not power, something I agree with (Actually I agree with a lot of ACT’s philosophies, but I find the conclusions of those philosophies leave me leaning more to social-democratic policies) but surely if the current bloc (lets face it, princes st is a bloc) is so bad, it would be easy to beat them.
ACT on campus actually has thought out positions on student politics, but apparently aren’t willing to put their hand up and take positions of responsibility.
Incidentilly, a little birdie told me Ben Thomas thinks I am a horrible, terrible person and the worst example of young labour, or words to that effect.
Though undoubtedly there is not much sympathy for Labour party members here, I find it difficult to imagine that I made such a bad impression in the 15 minutes I spoke to him, while drunk at shadows awaiting the election results of AUSA, either when Greg Langton won or when I lost, that I should be singled out for such naming.
The strange thing is, for such a controversial guy, he just sat there like a mute lump, only stirring to tell me “I don’t think you’ve thought that through”
THATS NOT AN ARGUMENT!!!
But yes, when your a legend on campus, who cares about debating the issues?
Just spout ad hominem.
I think I can go on for a lot longer about ACT and the personalities within it, but I have essays due. Rant out.
PS with VSM, my problem is that AUSA has to spend thousands of dollars every year trying to attract students to join up. First years don’t know about it, and never find out, because they don’t join. AUSA could save that money and invest it in the students, and get more money and independence from the UNi if people were automatically signed up. Students could then have the right to leave if they didn’t want to stay, but as the average student doesn’t actually lose anything by being signed up automatically, AUSA could save money on recruiting and spend this on students.
Have a nice day, sorry my argumetns are rambly and incoherent, thats always the way…
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