The final day of the NZUSA has begun, and im currently blogging from the floor of the lecture theatre where the open plenary session is being held. The session is where executives from the various universities pass motions and set direction for NZUSA in the coming year. It’s usually a shit fight, and a political fracas. Joel just suggested that NZUSA start a singing band to promote student issues. /facepalm.
However, more scandal has erupted. Yesterday a workshop was held that brought together the result of the womens and mens confrence. According to VUWSA Queer rep Racheal Wright the meeting was hijacked by the patriachy. A mens network was suggested to promote and identify ‘men’s issues’. The network is being supported by Joel Cosgrove (VUWSA) and Ryan Ward (OPSA). According to Wright, the network subverts the initiatives already in place that promote gender equality and also increases the intimidation and oppression of queer and women. When she raised this issue at the VUWSA caucus meeting this morning, she was told by Joel Cosgrove to ‘fuck off’.
In response she has threatened to resign from office. That’s the last thing VUWSA needs right now, a fucking by-election.
UPDATE:
I have had a chance to talk with Joel and hear his side of the story. His support for the new ‘reactionary’ (as it has been termed by its detractors) men’s network was that; although he recognised that sexist, and homophobic attitudes may still be prevalent in student representation, it was important for that to be discussed openly in a national forum. This argument holds some weight, men’s issues should not be buried away and forgotten about. However, by allowing a forum in a national union (of which ordinary students all over New Zealand financially buttress) to legitimise sexism, and homophobia then NZUSA runs the risk of subverting the issues it is trying to solve.