Voluntary student membership debate continues

23 Aug 2011 10:30a.m.

Iko wrote:

Took me 20 minutes to opt out of paying the fees, this looks like i gigantic waste of money to change the status quo. It was simple as to not pay the fees. If you dont want to pay them you can opt out doesnt take that long. I wonder how much money has been wasted by the politicians on this now

22 Aug 2011 11:23p.m.

Zacc wrote:

VSM needs to pass; I'm sick and tired of these arrogant student-funded people like David lying and hiding facts in order to protect their own asses. Very few students want compulsive membership; actually go around and ask students not union representatives.

22 Aug 2011 09:34p.m.

Craig wrote:

@nurse hamilton you should take some English grammar papers.

21 Aug 2011 10:44p.m.

Student wrote:

I wrote a letter to the student union at the university I am enrolled in, I would like to kindly thank the Student union for not acknowledging my letter nor responding to my plea. As a full time INTERNET student it is compulsory that I pay a building levy fee for a building in another town that is over an hour’s drive from where I live so CANNOT (due to the price of petrol & having no car) and need not access (as everything I need is supplied on line). It is also compulsory that I pay a union fee that’s over $400 for student services that I cannot access or attain help from as I live in another town. It is pure blackmail to take money from students when you supply them with absolutely nothing in return, In yet if I do not pay I am denied access to the $8,000 (4papers) I have paid for. There are hundreds of students studying online today and for the past few years, show me the evidence that even one NET student was given anything in return for their union and levy fees. Student services, at the least, you should offer hugely discounted fees to those that study OFF campus, & perhaps a bond system where if you do not do anything a portion of the fee is returned.

21 Aug 2011 02:23p.m.

student loans won't cover voluntary subs wrote:

Average student, bear in mind if student association membership becomes voluntary, student loans will no longer pay for it, which means students will then have to pay for it out of their own (shallow) pockets.

21 Aug 2011 02:08p.m.

nurse hamilton wrote:

@brynne neilson, that is rubbish and you know it, you were not forced to join the students union and you know it is very important for students to have representation at no cost and by people on the same page. take hamilton uni that closed the students union and see the students loss,this led to hamilton reinstating the students union and now everyone is happy including the uni admin and teachers.
it is act that are anti the union because they cannot gain control when a union is in the way. the right to choose is a good one and students have voted nationally that the students union is their choice 98% of students are happy so why is heather roy insisting on pushing this unpopular bill through parliment. students have a choice to join or not now. this is just a way to destroy the union ,not what is good for students. obviously neilson is from act.

21 Aug 2011 09:07a.m.

Brynn Neilson wrote:

I used to be Vice President of the Massey University Students Association back in the 90s and though I admire many of the services that students associations offer I believe that students should be able to choose whether they want to join or not. Voluntary Students Associations are more representative of the general student populous instead of special interest groups and they're also more transparent and efficient.

21 Aug 2011 12:43a.m.

Erm... wrote:

Freedom of choice and unions just don't mix...

20 Aug 2011 11:34p.m.

Average Student wrote:

I go to University and I think it's a great idea that we have something there for us - but I have seen my union protest against free trade and pro free education - which are the hallmarks of political parties that are not even in parliament today. So I feel disenfranchised by the union and yet are forced to pay for their beliefs. I asked to leave and told my union I didn't agree with their political stance (and I am a middle of the road voter with no political alliance) and they refused my request and I was bullied for making a noise about it. I just don't think it's fair at all for all of us to be part of this especially as WE are the majority - NOT NZUSA or the Union, or even ACT on Campus... we are the middle students who don't vote (less than 10% vote) or want to vote either. Nor do we want to go to boring meetings.. why should we? We go to University to get a degree and get jobs. One little thing - David said that we are poor when we start university and wouldn't be able to fund joining... but our student loans pay for joining and it doesn't come out of our pockets. He lied on TV - and for that I have no respect for. I can't believe I am forced to pay his wages. I wish this bill a speedy conclusion, most students can't wait - even better, our student loans will be lighter as a result.

20 Aug 2011 09:19p.m.

scholar wrote:

heather roy is going in nov, the bill must be scrapped as it is only her that wants to bully this through parliment , john key hasn't got the balls to stop it when he knows it is a nasty unpopular bill. roy needs a kick in the pants.