Executive

 

The UCSA’s Student Executive is here to represent your voice on campus and out in the community. They're our governance body, and they're voted in each year by UC students.*

If you have any issues or questions you’d like to discuss, reach out! Either head to their offices in Haere-roa, flick them an email, or check out their online Suggestion Box here.

Their work includes:

  • Helping to make sure that the UCSA’s services are meeting students’ needs. (E.g. events, advocacy, and dental.)
  • Providing UC with student feedback on a wide range of issues from academic and welfare matters to Student Service Levy allocation.
  • Creating UCSA initiatives to support students, like the free Borrow-a-Bike programme, Charger Library, and certain events, and special meal deals at The Foundry.
  • Giving students a voice on local and national issues.

*The Te Akatoki Representative is co-opted from Te Akatoki. 

 

Representation at UC: How it works

UC formally recognises the UCSA as the student representative body on campus.

The Executive is always talking with students to understand their needs, concerns, and feedback. As well as speaking to individuals, they work with groups like the UCSA Student Advisory Groups and Class Reps. 

The Student Exec bring feedback to the various Faculty and UC committees that they sit on. Faculty matters can then be presented at Academic Board meetings before flowing up to the University Council (UC’s governing body), which the UCSA President is a member of. 

It’s awesome to see how much the UCSA can influence change at UC. For example, we successfully advocated for first-year international students to have access to assistive technology for their note taking.

Transparency 

You can access minutes from Executive meetings 24/7 on our website. We also keep policies, annual reports, financial accounts and more available.  

Executive Committee meetings are open to all UC students. Just send us an email before coming along so we can confirm the meeting time and venue. Meetings take place every fortnight during term time. They’re usually held on the first, third and fifth week of term time from 5–7pm. 

The Executive also hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Half-AGM each year. These are opportunities for students to grab some free food and hear what the UCSA’s been working on. Students are also welcome to ask questions and submit agenda items (note: agenda items need to be supplied by the deadline – keep an eye our channels for those).

Suggestion Box

The Suggestion Box is an great way to let the UCSA know about any initiatives or changes you want to see us implement, whether it’s about UCSA policy, our services, or a wider UC issue you’re passionate about.

UCSA Executive

 

Advisory Groups

Student feedback is essential to the Executive's work, and that's why we have four advisory groups. Their feedback on student issues help us to advocate, come up with new initiatives, and provide great services.

International Advisory Group (IAG) 

The UCSA IAG is responsible for providing student feedback to the International Rep, the Executive Committee and the Chief Executive regarding international students’ needs and any related issues within the student population. The IAG’s aim is ensure that the UCSA hears the international student voice and works to create a stronger sense of belonging for all international students on campus. 

The IAG will meet 1-2 times per term, with an expectation of a meeting duration of up two hours. 

To get in touch with the International representative, email: international@ucsa.org.nz 

Read the Charter.

Postgraduate Advisory Group (PGAG) 

The UCSA PGAG provides student feedback and direction to the Postgraduate Rep, the Executive Committee, the Chief Executive and any relevant parties involved in postgraduate students’ needs and issues. PGAG’s aim is to ensure that the interests, advice and feedback of postgraduate students are conveyed to the UCSA who in turn work with UC to create a campus that values postgraduate students. 

The PGAG will meet 1-2 times per term to go over feedback and to work on materials, policies and events. It's expected that meetings will last up to two hours. 

To get in touch with the Postgraduate representative, email: postgraduate@ucsa.org.nz 

Read the Charter.

Equity and Wellbeing Advisory Group (EWAG) 

The UCSA EWAG is responsible for providing student feedback to the Equity and Wellbeing representative, the Executive Committee and the Chief Executive regarding students’ needs and any issues surrounding equity and diversity within the student population. The EWAG’s aim is ensure that the UCSA hears all student voices and can in turn work with UC to initiate actions and programs to create a greater sense of inclusiveness on campus. 

The EWAG will meet 1-2 times per term, with the expectation of a meeting duration of up to two hours. 

To get in touch with the Equity and Wellbeing representative, email: studentwellbeing@ucsa.org.nz 

Read the Charter.

Pasifika Advisory Group (PAG) 

The Pasifika Advisory Group is responsible for providing student feedback and direction to the UCSA Executive Committee and Chief Executive regarding Pasifika students’ needs and issues. The aim is to support the UCSA Executive to hear the Pacific student voice and initiate actions and programs to promote student success and create a stronger sense of belonging for Pacific students on campus. 

Read the group's guiding document.