2007 and 2008, I would have to say,
have been 2 of the best and most challenging years of my life.
Reflecting on the role I have learnt a hell of lot. Being given the
responsibility and experience of overseeing an organisation with 20
employees, a budget of 2.5 million and being answerable to a
population of 24,000 students has definitely taught me a thing or two
about "rising to the challenge". I jumped head first into the
role of being Student President and have somehow managed to survive.
I have to admit that the first 6 months
in the role nearly killed me and there were many times I thought
about throwing in the towel. However, during my time here I have
learnt that the saying "what doesn't kill you, only makes you
stronger" is definitely true. When I first started in office I
found it difficult enough to speak publicly to a classroom of
students. When I got told I had to speak to 2,500 students for
academic orientation at the Town Hall at the beginning of the year,
you could only have imagined my reaction! I have to say, my
experience has taught me that despite the circumstances that you may
be faced with, confidence and a positive mindset can give you the
strength to help you overcome anything.
While there were a number of great
challenges along the way, I do feel there were just as many if not
more achievements that were attained. While I do not have the time
nor word count to explain them all, I will give a highlight of my top
three.
1)The best financial incentive myself
and fellow Auckland presidents managed to lobby for (on behalf of
students collectively in Auckland) and achieve, was the 40% tertiary
discount on public transport that all full time students living in
Auckland are now eligible for. After a year of lobbying for the cause
this initiative saves tens of thousands of students millions of
dollars and has helped to take more cars off the road and also save
our environment.
2) Increased campus culture and life
through the development of events and an effective club structure on
campus. 2007/08 saw AuSM host some of the country's top musical
acts including Shapeshifter, Salmonella Dub, The Black Seeds, Kora
and Katchafire to name a few. The majority of our big gigs also
attracted sell-out crowds in excess of 2,500 people and forced the
team here to close the doors. Our clubs on campus have also doubled
in less than a year. When I first joined the association we had
somewhere in the region of around 15 active clubs on campus. Today we
now have nearly 40 active clubs.
3) Finally I think my greatest
achievement was helping to keep our fellow politicians honest. At an
AUT breakfast I attended last year, John Key (the man trying to
become prime minister for all of you that still don't know)
announced that he would like to "remove the current fee maxima
policy" that is in place. This basically means to allow unis to
charge students as much in fees as they want to. He made a 10min
speech around this topic and impressed the socks off of many in the
room. 3 hours later after I made a press release on what he had said,
suddenly John developed amnesia and was denying that he had even
talked about the topic. Got to love our politicians eh
They say one thing one minute and something completely contradictive
the next. Despite me nearly damaging my reputation and potentially
being made out to be a liar by Mr Key, the good news is, National has
finally agreed to keep the 5% cap on fees.
Lastly, I would like to say a big thank
you to everyone here at AuSM and AUT who have made my job of being
President that little bit easier. A big thank you must go out to Sue
and the management team here at AuSM. You guys (Sue, Kathy, Dave,
Nick etc) have literally been awesome. You have been great in dealing
with us (the students of AUT) and all the different issues, ideas,
suggestions and complaints that we have presented you with over the
years. Thank you for doing what you do.
Also thank you to all the other AuSM
staff (Ryan X2, Melita, Pat, Clint, Janne, West, Lineni, Aaron etc)
for keeping the place running. To the AuSM executive council for 2007
and 2008 (Andre, Veronica, Wilson, Steve, Biggs, Emma, Sameer and
Kizito), thank you for volunteering your time to fight for the
student cause and put in all the effort to make life that little bit
better for our students. We have had a great council the last couple
of years and have made huge milestones in the changes we have made
collectively at AUT.
A big thank you must also go out to all
the AUT staff that have helped students in need and have given up
their time to work through the various problems that our students
have encountered.
Last but not least, a big thank you
must go out to you, the students of AUT who have allowed me to be
your Student President for the last 2 years. It has been an absolute
honour and like I mentioned before has been 2 of the best years of my
life. I wish you all the best in whatever you may do. Remember if you
happen to see me out there on the streets of New Zealand or anywhere
else in the world for that matter, please do not hold back, do come
and say hello, I would be more than happy to see you.
Signing off, your fellow Student
President
Over and
out..................................................................................................................
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