Submissions on VSM bill close. USU sitting on fence
The open submission period for Act MP Roger Douglas’ Education Freedom of Association Amendment Bill closed on March 31st.
USU Students’ Association President Pete Hodkinson says the USU made a submission which was neither for nor against voluntary student unionism.
The USU currently relies on compulsory student membership fees for around 65% of its income.
A contingency plan is in place should the bill be successful, says Mr Hodkinson.
“Things are pretty stable, I wouldn’t want students thinking that if VSM goes through all our services will disappear,” He says.
“For current students there won’t be much change.”
The New Zealand Union of Students Associations (NZUSA) ran a campaign against the bill called Save Our Services (SOS).
USU was not part of the campaign; Mr Hodkinson says USU money could be spent in better ways.
Mr Hodkinson added that Unitec CEO Rick Ede had also made a submission which supported the work done by the USU.