the society of the year reward system

Currently, societies that wish to be in the running for this award have to accumulate points throughout the academic year and the society with the most points is declared the OUSA Society of the Year.

The current points system works well in the sense that is standardises things to enable a smooth decision-making process.

However, I believe that societies or even clubs that come out first and second runners-up should also be given a token reward to acknowledge their efforts and contributions. Otherwise, it would be a waste of money for the societies to have forked out funds to organise events just for getting the points only to come out second and not receive anything. A small reward for 2nd and 3rd places will also let societies know how much more effort they need to put in to contest the award for the next year.

I hope to propose this idea to the Clubs Development Officer and Clubs & Societies Council. Vote for me, and I will ensure a that the rewards for Society/Club of the Year awards are based on a system that commends the efforts of each club/society.

here's an idea...

After having a discussion with the President of the Otago University Taiwanese Students' Association, I feel it is necesssary to promote further interaction between cultural societies to foster a united international students' community here in Dunedin.

One of the ideas is a social sports meet for cultural societies to get together, play some sports, meet new friends, and after that enjoy some refreshments.

I'd like to see this happen as sports is an easy way to get students involved and it also ensures people have fun at the same time. Perhaps, societies that participate can garner points not for winning but just for participation and these points will go toward the Society of the Year Award.

Also, most international students don't join the sports clubs as they don't want to get too involved in serious competition. I think organising a social sports meet will help foster ties between diverse groups of people and provide the opportunity for international students to partcipate in sports in an environment they are comfortable with.

Vote for me, Darren Lee, and we'll make it happen.

Sweet!

let's not forget...

THE EXCHANGE STUDENTS!

Exchange students, vote for me and you will not be forgotten.

I believe that exchange students add a vibe to the student community here in Dunedin. More often, they are independent minds who plan quick weekend getaways to see the country and also know how to have heaps of fun!

If elected, International Students' Rep., I'd like to get exchange students involved in the International Students' Council.

Sure, they may not have as much of a vested interest as compared to students who are here for the entire duration of their degree, but I still believe that they can bring in different views and opinions on certain issues which may be helpful in running an effective international students' council.

I also plan to organise events catered to exchange students. Some ideas include a formal dinner for all semester exchange students. Most balls and formals are held in the second semester. As such, I think it is fitting that a formal dinner is organised so that first semester, exchange students can dress up and have a grand night out with their friends over dinner and drinks.

a proposed change to the OUSA grants system for cultural groups

If elected as your International Students' Representative I plan to propose to the OUSA Exec for a fairer grants system for affiliated clubs & societies.

Of course, I will also work with the Finance & Services Officer, Clubs & Socs Rep., and the OUSA Clubs Development Officer to see if this plan is feasible.

I propose that the grants funding pool be divided into two separate pools of equal amounts - one for sports-based events, and the other for cultural events/ events for affiliated societies.

I believe that this is necessary as the needs and goals for the cultural groups or societies differ from those of the sports clubs on campus.

A sports club may be able to represent the university at a national level and a cultural group may not but a cultural event that it organises in Dunedin might have an overall positive effect on the local community which in turn must be a good thing for OUSA's image and name.

I can't promise to make more changes but I can promise to table it to the Exec and work on it.

religious groups on campus

I believe that student religious groups on campus have a key role to play in supporting international students. These groups provide a sense of stability, belonging and help new international students find friends and establish contacts.

Support
I would like to see that these groups, especially those with a large number of international students as their members, receive additional support from OUSA. Specific groups include Living Buddhism, Muslim University Students' Association, Dunedin Overseas Christian Fellowship, and the Dunedin Chinese Methodist Youth Fellowship just to name a few.

Muslim Students' Prayer Room on Campus
I plan to action upon a promise that was not fulfilled. I plan to set up a Muslim students' prayer room in a central area on campus. This can be done at the Clubs & Societies building through their permanent room booking system. One room will be for males, and another for females.

A Multi-faith Prayer & Reflection Room
Down the line, I hope to work with the chaplaincy services of the university to establish a multi-faith prayer room or if there are no resources, perhaps an hour's time slot in a room where students of all faiths and beliefs can come in to an environment that is peaceful and quiet for prayer and reflection.

I once had a stopover at Singapore's Changi Airport and was humbled that there was a prayer room for people of all faiths to congregate in their individual space within a room to pray.

I believe that this can be done. And I will do it.

my policies for cultural groups on campus

Cultural Groups on Campus
you have my support

I will support all affiliated student cultural groups on campus and all those seeking affiliation with OUSA.

I am able to relate to the leaders of student cultural groups as I myself have had the experience of running a fairly large and successful student society on campus in the past two years.

I want to and am very willing to work with Pacific Island cultural groups such as the Fiji Club, Otago Samoan Students' Association, and the Otago Tongan Students' Association to encourage their participation on an International Students' Council that is representative of all international ethnic groups on campus.

I believe that before interaction between International students and local Kiwi students is pursued, interaction between the various cultural groups needs to be initiated first.

I want to dispel with the stereotype that International students are Asian students. That is why I want to run an effective council where each ethnic group is adequately represented.

From the start, I plan to attend all cultural events, annual general meetings, and key events of each of the cultural groups on campus.

I will also work with OUSA events in an attempt to include cultural events on the overall events calendar so that groups get more exposure and better publicity.

I will always keep in close communication with groups and let them have a say in the organisation of International Student Council Events.

apologies for the irregular updates...

...there's been a whole lot of chalking going on!

seen the outline of the gingerbreadman on campus?

well, that's me and that's the reason why I haven't been updating this blog as regularly as I would have liked to.

please do accept my utmost and sincere apologies.

here's some pictures to show you what goes on behind the scenes when campaigning...

lying on the cold, cold ground in front of the Union building, while campaign assistant, Eugene, outlines my head...

Campaign artistic director Tina with the finishing touches. Note the trademark V-tick....

The chalkman 'holding' a banner in front of Archway lecture theatres...

The chalkmen unite...on the pathway from Union building...
Note the strategicaly placed ski-glove...That was Matthew's idea of artistic photography. I suppose the cold got to him.

So yeah, you get the message. Log on to www.elections.ousa.org.nz from Monday 20 August until 4pm Thursday 23 August.
If you're from overseas, click "Yes" to International Student and vote for Darren Lee as your International Students' Representative!