Massey University halts funding to Students’ Union

Massey University’s Palmerston North campus.
Photograph: 123RF

Massey University Students’ Union says the funding cut means they are prevented from speaking out against the university.

Te Tira Ahu Pae currently provides independent representation, advocacy, clubs and events, but Massey University says it will continue to provide these services itself.

Micah Geiringer of the Student Association Federation said: Lunch Report While services will continue through Massey, it does not offer any certainty to the staff providing these services.

“They claim they can get these services but they don’t provide any job security to our staff who are currently providing those services. So it seems they can and they claim they can” There will be no change in the way students access the new services, but they won’t be able to provide any staff or structure that can actually deliver them adequately. they don’t have it,” Geiringer said.

He said it was the first time in New Zealand history that funding for a students’ union had been cut.

He’s not sure what the university’s plan is at this stage, but he said a restructuring proposal could potentially be put together and ask the student union to adopt it.

“It appears that MUSA or Te Tira Ahu Pae will continue to serve as the board of directors and that the association has taken a stance against Massey’s decision and we do not appear to be cooperating with them if they want to restructure our association against our will,” Geiringer said.

MUSA issued an appeal to the Vice-Chancellor and senior leadership team asking them to reverse the decision.

He also hoped that other student unions across the country would join his calls and advocate against the decision.

He said that he could not speak on behalf of other associations, but they saw that they agreed with MUSA’s decision to defend against the university’s decision.

Massey University has been approached for comment.