Kia ora,

I hope you have had a great first week back! Last week we had a range of events for Re Orientation including Dirtier Bingo, Savage, a Disney Quiz, and a pie eating competition. We also ran a Family Day at Epsom Campus with ESSA. Re Orientation is the gift that keeps on giving, and this week we have organised a toboggan run with Snow Sports Club and the University, as well as an ice skating rink in the Quad. We will be ending our Winter celebrations with Kings performing at Shadows.

Last week the Student Charter was brought to the association presidents, students and staff at the Student Consultative Group to kick off a review of the document. It is the document that outlines the relationship between students and the University, and the rights and responsibilities that each party owes to the other. The Student Charter has not been reviewed since the 1990’s and we want to make sure that it is a clear and empowering document for the students. You will be hearing much more about the Student Charter as the semester goes on and we would love your thoughts as it gets reviewed. You can also read more about the Student Charter later in this edition of Craccum!

Over the next few weeks AUSA is putting together a proposal for revamping its spaces on campus, like Queer Space, Women’s Space and the Common Room. Again we would value your input into what these spaces should look like to best benefit students. There will be opportunity to submit feedback online and boxes available for written feedback in the various spaces we offer to students. Some of these spaces have not been redone in a number of years and we want to make sure they are able to best benefit the student community.

Next week AUSA will be bringing you EcoFest, with events like a festival in the Quad, tree planting, a free sustainable brunch, Blender Bikes and a Quiz Night. We only have one planet, so EcoFest is a celebration and exploration of living more sustainably in the everyday.

I hope you have a good second week back and that you keep (or start) making it to lectures!

Ngā mihi,
Your President Anna