The Massey University Extramural Students’ Society Inc. (EXMSS) is governed by an executive committee. The committee is made up of 9 positions; President, Vice-President, 2 upper North Island representatives, 2 lower North Island representatives and 2 South Island representatives and 1 Maori representative.
Each position runs for 2 years and elections are staggered so that 1 representative from each of the regions will be elected each year. Calls for nomination to the EXMSS executive committee are published in the July issue of the Off Campus magazine.
Introducing the EXMSS executive committee
President, Ralph Springett
My motivation to represent extramural students stems from my own experience. Extramural study has given me more than a new job – it has re-defined my life. For mature learners, like myself, access to tertiary education is a fundamental tool for betterment.
My task as president is to ensure that extramural students’ needs are recognised by Massey when investing in and delivering distance education. Furthermore, that the needs of futures students, in our changing social and technological environment, are fully considered and planned for.
To do this I engage with the University, Extramural Students, and the Tertiary Education Commission as well as maintaining networks with other student organisations. Although mindful of the future I diligently pursue current issues which could affect extramural students when they appear on board or committee agendas. From time to time I will initiate discussion on issues that you have raised either directly with me, through comments you leave on the EXMSS Rate It! survey, through your letters to the editor of our Off Campus magazine, or through meeting you at our EXMSS orientation meetings.
Vice-President, Helen Fleming
Hi from Waitakere City!
I am a mum to two, employed fulltime and currently a Westie having 18 months ago, made the move north from Dunedin.
My previous roles as an extramural student studying towards the GIS -Geographic Information Systems Diploma; a Dunedin EAR; and more lately, South Island Executive Committee Member for EXMSS, have allowed me to contribute in a supportive enabling way for the extramural students in the region.
Along the changing education highway the rewards of extramural study shine through -, the delighted voice as the paper has been passed, the friendships formed and the experience gained as one reaches out and achieves with confidence, culminating in the stories of commitment and success at the grad dinners.
EXMSS provides much to enhance the extramural student’s investment in learning and it is with pride and passion that I look forward to making a further conscientious contribution to extramural students as Vice President on the EXMSS Executive as well as continuing as EAR for West Auckland. In the role of governance, accountability and encouragement for extramurals are values that I hold high.
Upper North Island Representative, Sharon Dawson
Hi my name is Sharon Dawson, Upper North Island Representative. I have been an extramural student at Massey University since 2000, after being an internal student for two years at the Auckland University of Technology. I have a Diploma in Violence and Trauma Studies and a BA with a major in Sociology. Education has definitely become a permanent fixture in my life and I now incorporate it within my job as a Community Worker within the Mental Health sector. That means I will be around an extramural area rep for a while to come yet.
I have been an area rep for EXMSS since 2001 and am a great supporter of the email discussion forum. I try to contribute as often as possible. Another service worthwhile accessing is the Rate It! section of the EXMSS website as it has helped me choose the papers for the coming years with not only comments about the papers but facts on price of textbooks and workload.
I am now working full-time in Hamilton and feel that my time studying set me up well in such areas as time management, analysing data and putting theories into practice. I have got so much out of studying at Massey, that if I can give half as much back by helping new students not to feel so isolated and being a listening EAR then I will have achieved a lot. I really enjoy helping and will continue to do so in the future so good luck to those students just starting out and also to those who are seasoned veterans.
Upper North Island Representative, Alyse Foster
I have a long acquaintance with distance-delivered education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
I am currently part-way through a PhD in Dark Tourism whilst continuing as an Extramural Area Representative (EAR) and serving on the Executive.
The special challenges faced by students with disability is of interest to me (I am hearing impaired myself).
Lower North Island Representative, Dave Crampton
Kia ora, I am a full–time extramural honours student based in Wellington. I currently major in Politics, after graduating with a double major in Social Policy and Politics earlier this year. All but one of my papers have been extramural through Massey. I am currently balancing studies with my commitments as a husband, father of two children now aged seven and four, and my work for a polling company – and my regularly updated political blog at http://big-news.blogspot.com
Having left school at 16, returning as a mature student more than 15 years later to complete a Diploma of Journalism through Massey, then returning again several years later to complete my degree and undertake post-graduate study, I am aware of the challenges and isolation of being an extramural student. The computer is my lifeline, and through it, there are a great deal of services and support for students, which I had no idea were available while a first year.
I am fully aware of the challenges of working and studying, having in one year taken four papers while working full time and squeezing in family time. It was also challenging when I commenced studying full time, juggling parenting responsibilities while my wife worked two days a week to supplement our student allowance. I had a social life, drank lots of coffee – but didn’t get much sleep.
As I initially started studying for my degree part-time, 2009 is my sixth consecutive year as an EXMSS member. I have got a lot out of studying at Massey and I believe I can encourage and assist students to feel part of Massey rather than isolated from it. The hope is that other students will have a smoother ride as they utilise the range of available services and support.
Lower North Island Representative, Lisa Hampton
I am one of the lower North Island representatives on your Executive Committee. I live in the sunny Hawke’s Bay where I am also the area rep for EXMSS, and have been since 2005. I began my extramural study in 2001 and have completed a Bachelor of Health Science; since then I have completed several law and business papers, and currently working on a diploma in computing. Education is a very important aspect in our home; with five growing children it is vital I set a positive example for them.
Having left school at 15 years old, and returning many years later as a mature student, I found the experience of extramural study quite challenging and somewhat isolating, not knowing where to turn for help was difficult. I felt that since I was experiencing these (very natural) emotions it was likely there were many more extramural students feeling similar. I signed up as an area representative to help and support those facing such difficulties and then joined the Executive to ensure not only help and support was available, but so the members of the extramural committee had a voice in their study and their futures.
The study I have done to date has really helped me to build an exciting and worthwhile career, but it is far from over as I have learnt that study is the ultimate addiction, and I am well and truly hooked! Good luck to all as you travel through your learning experiences, and remember, you are not alone.
South Island Representative, Mark Lester
Hi, I currently live in Oamaru. I completed my degree in accountancy both through full time and part time extramural study. Gaining my professional qualifications took a short time compared to the ten or more years many extramurals take. Now I plan to start my Masters in Accounting. With family commitments and full time work, my Masters will take a much slower route.
I have served on the EXMSS executive Committee as Treasurer and South Island Rep for the past seven years.
Outside of my study life, my family consists of my wife and three children, three cats, 20.5 tropical fish, eight goldfish and one dog.
South Island Representative, Lyn Harris-Hogan
Hi, my name is Lyn and I have been part of the Massey University whanau since 1996 when I studied “mixed mode” – partly extramural and partly at Albany Campus. This was the start to a new way of living – reading! A mature student, who had not read anything more complex than a children’s book and if it hadn’t been for the extraordinary support I had received from fellow students and lecturers I wouldn’t be where I am today! With only the basic three years of secondary school, I focused my life on bringing up my three children. Once they were independent I looked at ’something else to do’!
I started Toastmasters in 1992 which gave me the confidence to think, listen and speak for myself – this lead me to study and the rest is history. After completing a Bachelor of Social Work I worked as an HR Manager for three years in Auckland before moving to Nelson for a lifestyle change, where I got the study bug again!
I completed a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) in 2003/4. There was no EXMSS EAR in the area so I took up the role which has proven to be a very rewarding one, supporting and encouraging extramural students.
As a new EXMSS executive, I not only bring my experience and knowledge as an extramural student and EAR, but also my passion for working with people with special needs and disabilities. I hope enhance the services of EXMSS to encourage participation for future students, in particular, those with special needs and disabilities, so they too can experience success within the university system and achieve their full potential.
Kia kaha, Lyn
Maori Representative, Tiri Porter
Ko Taranaki te Maunga
Ko Aotea te Waka
Ko Waitara te Awa
Ko Manukorihi te Marae
Ko Te Atiawa me Nga Puhi ooku Iwi
Ko Manukorihi me Puketapu nga Hapu
Ko Tiri Moana Porter taku ingoa
Tena Koutou Katoa
I have been an extramural representative for Taranaki Extramural students for six years. A business graduate and mother of one, I have had various study experiences including one year on-campus and three years extramural study. I believe I have an understanding of the issues and challenges associated with fitting study alongside raising a family, working in paid and voluntary employment, having a social life as well as juggling everyday things in life.
This is my first term as Maori representative on the EXMSS executive, and I have a strong interest in ensuring all extramural students take advantage of the learning opportunities, in particular Maori students. I would like to contribute my youth and cultural background knowledge to progress the services of EXMSS to further enhance Maori participation and success rate within the university system.
I am passionate about ensuring students have the advocacy and support mechanisms available and am keen to maintain and enhance the support services currently provided by EXMSS including the free phone number and orientation meetings.
I have commenced post-graduate study in 2009 and I am thoroughly enjoying contributing my education knowledge to an organisation that supports disabled youth in Taranaki. I am also a Kaiakopono (learning support) for Taranaki Maori extramural students enrolled with Te Hononga Mai Tawhiti programme, which is based on Maori values such as tautoko and whanaungatanga.
My involvement with extramural students is a lifetime opportunity to meet a broad range of people – a priceless experience that money couldn’t buy.
No reira tena koutou, kia ora katou katoa
