The Extramural Students’ Society is the independent student union for extramurals.
Providing a voice, services and support for distance students.

The Hawke’s Bay branch offers a small annual study award to assist women undertaking extramural study towards a first degree.

Applicants for the award must:

• be women, resident in the Hawke’s Bay region,
• have completed at least one year’s successful extra-mural study,
• apply using the application form provided,
• and submit a completed  hard copy of the application  form by  Friday 31^th  May 2013

The award is $200 – $300.

Successful study means having already passed a minimum of two  100 level papers.

The application form is available to download from here or can be requested from the EXMSS Office. (Call toll-free 0508 439677 ext 81182)

If you are interested or know of anyone who may be eligible, enquiries about the above grant or the application process can be made to

Rosalie Sutherland

Ph.  06  835 0761

roselyn@xtra.co.nz

All Applications  (hard copy)  should be posted  to :

Study Award Convenor:

1/603 York Street,

Hastings 4120

Timely research on Tertiary Student Voice

Through new research released today tertiary education providers around New Zealand will be receiving some firm guidance on ways to improve the ways they draw on and engage with the student voice to enhance quality.

The research – conducted with assistance from a variety of providers – has found that existing pockets of good practice need to be systemised across the entire sector and presents a simple tool for establishing and scaling up engagement with students.

Jointly commissioned by Ako Aotearoa, the National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence, and the NZ Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA), the research is being launched at the Support for Quality conference being held in Auckland this week by the Academic Quality Agency for NZ Universities.

Ako Aotearoa’s Director, Dr Peter Coolbear, says the research is a timely reminder for tertiary education organisations that the quality of the education they provide is fundamentally intertwined with the direct and representative input of students in a continuous and visible feedback loop.

“A much broader understanding of student voice is needed that includes every step from the everyday educational level to the direction-giving governance level of an organisation,” says Dr Coolbear.

“Up until now the role and resourcing of student representation from the class level up has been a poorly understood aspect of quality systems that should be easier to address thanks to this research.

“A key finding of this research is that the effectiveness of the student voice can’t and shouldn’t rest on the shoulders of isolated students – it has to be seen as a partnership. Above all institutions have to create an on-campus culture that actively shows that the student voice is valued, that students are being heard at all levels, and that actions that respond to the student voice can be seen to be happening”.

NZUSA President Pete Hodkinson says the practice examples highlighted by the research from two private training establishments, four polytechnics, one wānanga and two universities all point to the variety of ways that management, teaching staff and students have been grappling with often complex and not always cohesive aspects of student representation.

“From the student point of view we are heartened by examples which demonstrate that staff and students are working together to achieve changes that enhance the quality of the education and experience delivered to fee-paying students.

“What is also encouraging about this research is that it reinforces the concept that representing the diversity of student voice is about students as a collective whole, rather than as disassociated individuals,” says Hodkinson.

“As a national student body the over-riding attitude we bring to this is best expressed in the phrase ‘nothing about students, without students’. Achieving a balance that sees all students as members of an educational community as well as consumers of education is incredibly important”.

Hodkinson says NZUSA will be working with its members throughout 2013 to apply the reflective questions tool contained in the research so that the performance of their operations and the

student-facing operations of tertiary education organisations can be modified and improved.

“I believe this is the beginning of a much larger process of finding new and better ways to embed the student voice in tertiary education. I have a huge amount of good faith in the ability of our members to play their role in putting the research into practice. They have all been adapting to changing circumstances and are already focused on tackling the challenges that lie ahead, such as mobilising even more constructive student engagement of, for and by students”.

ENDS (See also At-A-Glance summary; the full report is available at akoaotearoa.ac.nz)

For more information contact:

Pete Hodkinson, NZUSA President, 0274 868 677 president@students.org.nz

Dr Alistair Shaw, NZUSA Executive Director, 021 0229 7421 alistair.shaw@students.org.nz

This presentation highlights EXMSS’ services to students.

Please click on the image to download and view the pdf.

We have made this report so that those unavailable can benefit from the information.

Alan Miller graciously made himself available to answer any questions regarding our Constitution and its interpretation.

Question: What makes you the authority on the EXMSS Constitution?

Allan: “The 1997 Constitution was written by me”. I have graduated from Massey University three times, I have a First Class Honours degree in History, I have a Diploma in Disputes Resolutions at Massey, I was a Registered Nurse and for 30 years and the Senior Official of the Public Services Association”.

Question: Which Constitution should we be using? (Registered or unregistered)

Alan said there was only one type of Constitution and he would take a moment to explain, Massey is a registered society, under the Registered Societies Act, which makes requirements on how the Constitution is recognised is set by the Registrar of Incorporated Societies. The rules were written in a comprehensive form then forwarded to the Registrar of the society. As far as I have been able to establish having been asked for advice, that since then, there have been no proper alterations to the rules. Although there have been decisions of the Annual General Meeting to make various, minor alterations. But as they haven’t been registered by the Registrar, they don’t count. So you are currently in my view operating on the 1997 Constitution.

That creates real practical problems since the world has moved on since then; it would be very difficult to get quorums in accordance with these rules. But until such time that the rules are altered by the Registrar, these are the rules. It does not matter what people intend or believe, because if somebody makes a decision it could then be challenged as being contrary to the rules.

So the rules that I understand that you are operating on at the moment in this present point in time are the 1997 rules. I would recommend, and have recommended and understand that has been followed, is that Anne go through the Annual General meetings or Special General meetings (which I do not think there has been any) and find out what other alterations have been proposed to the rules and done properly then they should be forwarded to the Registrar. Who will request that they be done properly, before they will be recognized, they would also be amended and brought up to date.

The current situation is however is that some of you appear to be operation under the assumption that rules in line with 2011. Anyway as far as we can establish, no proper record was kept of what changes were made and therefore the Registrar, will decline to recognize any alterations to the rules that have not been processed properly. It has to be according to the rules because one of the requirements to the Incorporated Societies Act is that there has to be rules on how to alter the rules.

There is not a lot to be required to be a registered society but, winding up is one and how to alter the rules is another. Unless you can establish to the Register that something has happened other than using the rules it is unlikely that he would register the alterations.

If you don’t like the President she does not have to resign, there is no requirement for it. Just quietly get to work and establish what the rules are but, at the moment it’s the rules of 1997. For example you will not be able to have a proper meeting because you won’t be able to meet the quorum”.

Alan: “I was asked some questions; I answered strictly in accordance with the rules. If someone was to hold an elected position at EXMSS like President or Vice President, they have to be members. There is a very scrupulous membership rule on how that should be done. It falls into three parts, one people who are proper students that are very straight forward. Secondly there is associate members and that is there because the nature of EXMSS. Because most people come in and out but, the associate member rule requires a subscription and a renewal; and if that has not happened for any individual (and I am not referring to any particular individual) they are not members. As EXMSS is a registered society it only has authority to have entitlements to its members. So if a person ceases to be a member for whatever reason, even if accidental, they then have no entitlements under the rules; they are members of the public. Otherwise it would be absolute pandemonium.

So the reality is, you now have got to, and this is the advice I have given, is to establish the rules as they are there have been some amendments that have been constitutionally passed since 1997. Get the minutes, get them registered and get it up to date.

Then becomes the question of who is eligible for office and that in my view stands from whether or not they are bona fide members. If they are not bon fide members for whatever reason, they are not eligible for office. They cannot hold office or be recognized with the rights of an officer of this society.

He continues to say, “the reality is that if some of you are not members, and if you are on the executive attempting to hold office, then I am afraid you are not legitimately there. Unless the situation of proper memberships is rectified and corrected properly they have no entitlements. Some of you have accidently ceased to be associate members, it does not preclude you from applying to be an associate member. But until that is sorted by the compliance of the rules mean that you are not holding office at all.

Now for example the 1997 rules make no provision for a Maori Vice President. It’s just not there. I know there is a Maori Vice President and I know the rules were intended to be altered for that but, apparently they have not been. Therefore if someone were to ask me if the person held office on the executive at the moment, in my opinion I would say she does not. That is simply how it is, I know it is regrettable that it has come to this; I am fond of EXMSS I was with them for a long time.

Question: In the event of a new title of officer, then the only way it could be approved is to be registered is that correct?

Alan: “It’s not entirely correct, is partly correct the ultimate end of doing it is registration but, it has to be proceeded by special resolution in an Annual or Special General meeting and if I remember correctly it has to be called for that specific purpose”.

Alan states, “this could be found through the minutes of the Annual General meetings and I recommend that be done. Until such time as it is done and properly done, it’s the registered rules that apply. The registered rules as far as I can establish is the 1997 rules. Now the difficulty in all of this is that is places a great burden on the President.

Alan: “According to 1997 rules you can pass votes of no confidence until you run out of pens and paper to dry it on but, you have to recognize that is does not get rid of the President, there is not any method properly to do that”.

Alan: “Similarly the altering of positions I can verify that there is a vacancy for the position of Vice President that needs to be filled in accordance with the 1997 rules. They apply until such time as the rules are altered by executive and registered with the Registrar. I know this is probably an obstacle and not what you want to hear but, I am a professional consultant and I have been asked for professional advice and I have given it”. I can check them against the statutory requirements and register your rules”.

Alan: “The problem is as soon as you move outside the risk there that you start to do things that go against the rules; you might be leaving yourself personally liable”. So take a deep breath lets gets it right and proceed from there”.

Question: So a SGM can be called in a Constitutional way which is through the executive meeting first?

Alan: “If you want to have a SGM to deal with the rules, there has to be actual proposals to be presented prior to that meeting to deal with the rules. It is a registered society you operate according to the Registered Societies Act; people who hold office have to be members. If they are not members they can’t hold office. The fact that they may have been officers before doesn’t matter, they are not now. There are rules under the 1997 Constitution on how you can become an associated member follow them for now and get on with it. Then if you do that, the executive makes a decision on whether or not you will be admitted, it’s not automatic”.

Question: If you haven’t kept up your sub, does that negate your membership can you just pay up your sub and reinstate the membership?

Alan: “From my reading is, and remember it’s my reading of the rules, once you lapse as a member you have to reapply. Just belatedly sending in your subscription does not necessarily do it. Because the membership rules allows people to have powers and entitlements under the rules to take part in the deliberation of the organisation and the decisions taken. Therefore they have to be bona fide, so it’s not complicated; an incorporated society is not complicated. The fact of the matter is EXMSS is no different from any other organisation there is nothing special about it, is it just as simple as that.

And if anybody, I am not mentioning any names has for whatever reason ceased to meet the requirements of the membership rule they are not members. If they are not members they can take no part in the affairs of the association and they can’t hold office. If they wish to reapply as an associate member they must do that and therefore acknowledges that they are not a member.
Then there is the process of the rules to decide if they will be given associate membership or not.

Statement: In all my history we have never questioned associate membership before.

Alan: “That is the problem once people start saying this is the rule or that is the rule, somebody has got to say what it is, the Registrar. The best thing to do is to go back and start again, register the rules, obey the rules, follow the normal procedures. If that means you hang out a bit insufficient for quorums you got a President. Just run the organisation until you get it right again that shouldn’t take too long”.

Question: So then the President becomes the autocrat is that how it works?

Alan: “No the President can only operate in accordance with the rules and if you have a look at the rules you will see the Presidents job is specifically set out. Whoever is the President they have to operate in accordance with the rules. Similarly the Vice President has got quite specific functions according to the rules has rights and entitlements, the problem you have gotten yourself into is there has been amendments to the rules that have not been registered and they need to be. I can’t advice more strongly that you just get on with it.

We ended our discussion with Alan Millar regarding the EXMSS Constitution; we thank him for his years of knowledge and contribution to our society.

Transcribed and typed by: JV Chapman, EXMSS President

Any questions can be directed to jv@exmss.org.nz

EXMSS HELPDESK.

This is for all extramural students attending courses and will operate from: Tuesday 2^nd April – Sunday 14^th, 8am – 5.30pm Monday – Friday, 8.30am – 5.30pm weekends.  Please note *Due to alterations in the student lounge over the Easter break, the EXMSS desk will be located in the student dining hall next to the main doors off concourse. Services include: A luggage minding service (during desk hours only), directions and information about course rooms, assistance with general enquiries, bookings for outgoing transport and campus & city maps.

TRANSPORT.

EXMSS has recently negotiated a 10% discount on Palmerston North Taxis  for all extramural students  between the Airport, Train or Bus terminal and Massey’s Manawatu campus. This discount applies throughout the year. A student ID card or some other form of ID showing you’re a student will be required in order to get this discount.

OUTGOING TRANSPORT.

EXMSS Members will be able to utilise free transport from the campus to the Airport, Train/Bus Station at set times during the day from the 3^rd-14^th April only. We will have up to three vans operating each day and will try to accommodate everyone. For those seeking transport outside the set times or find the vans are booked, we can book transport for you but the fare will be covered by the student(s).

Membership status can be checked by contacting Thérèse (therese@exmss.org.nz Massey ext 81184) or inquire at the helpdesk. You can join EXMSS at http://exmss.org/membership/ and filling in the membership form.  After joining you will be emailed a 4 digit EXMSS membership number.

The daily free vans for members will only operate during semester breaks – see the EXMSS website for more details.                                          

LOCAL BUSES.

Extramural Students do not get free bus travel on local buses as the internal students do. The internal student ID cards have a small travel chip in them (printed as ‘go’) the extramural student ID cards do not. However, extramural students can get a student rate by showing their student ID which is cheaper than the adult rate.

MASSEY GYM.

EXMSS has negotiated a discounted ‘casual rate’ for extramural students attending the Massey gym when on campus – only $4 per student per visit.

EXMSS SURVEY.

We run a “services” survey each contact course period and use the information to lobby the University on behalf of extramural students. We strongly urge all students to fill one in and return to us. These are available at the helpdesk or online at: http://exmss.org/contact-course/rate-your-contact-course

The Hawke’s Bay branch offers a small annual study award to assist women undertaking extramural study towards a first degree.

Applicants for the award must:

• be women, resident in the Hawke’s Bay region,
• have completed at least one year’s successful extra-mural study,
• apply using the application form provided,
• and submit a completed  hard copy of the application  form by  Friday 26^th  April 2013

The award is $200 – $300.

Successful study means having already passed a minimum of two  100 level papers.

The application form is available to download from here or can be requested from the EXMSS Office. (Call toll-free 0508 439677 ext 81182)

Any enquiries about the above grant or the application process can be made to

Rosalie Sutherland

Ph.  06  835 0761

roselyn@xtra.co.nz

All Applications  (hard copy)  should be posted  to :

Study Award Convenor:

1/603 York Street,

Hastings 4120

To those who have been studying over Summer Semester,

I know from experience how challenging it is to study over summer. While the rest of New Zealand is  sitting on the deck enjoying a quiet beverage and reflecting on the past year’s achievements, we must remain indoors, studying our readings and reflecting on that rash decision in November to take “just that one” paper over summer.

In doing so, not only do we find we are we out of step with the rest of society, but we soon realise that while semester one and two papers go for about  17 weeks, the same amount of work is required from a paper in summer semester, which is only 12 weeks long!

Nevertheless Kia Kaha – Stand Strong, the end is in sight .

To those who have enrolled for the new year, congratulations on your decision to study.  Whether it before for professional or personal development, tertiary study is a life-changing decision. In subtle and not so subtle ways it alters your perception on the world and this can be both exciting and unnerving. Be prepared to have your preconceptions challenged and to be, at times, confused and even frazzled.

And also be prepared for the elation you will experience with each new discovery, (hopefully) each returned assignment, and of course that fantastic sense of achievement as you complete your final exam.

EXMSS is here to support you 100% in your journey. Check out our services and please feel free to use the 0508 4EXMSS freephone to contact your lecturer, Massey services or give us a call at extension 81182.

All the best for 2013

Murray Kirk
Communications Manager
EXMSS

This student-led event was a chance for EXMSS to highlight the achievements of Massey staff who have excelled in their work with Massey’s distance students.

Four awards were announced during the lunchtime garden party,

The Massive Lecturer of the Year Award went to Dr Terry Macpherson. Dr Macpherson is a lecturer in marketing and specialises in social marketing, marketing communications and green marketing.  When voting online for the award, students included comments such as

“The lecturer has made it a very clear paper to understand, given the online lectures, printed material and the textbook for reference.”

This is the first year of the Massive Lecturer of the Year. The award is named after the new Massey student publication, Massive magazine.  Massive is distributed on all Massey’s campuses and is also published online at http://www.massivemagazine.net.nz.

The Review It Paper of the Year went to paper 115.106; Economics, a paper run by Dr Sam Richardson. While to some, the idea of an economics paper receiving such an award might seem unusual, the data for 115106, received through Review It, the student-run survey (http://www.reviewit.net.nz), was unequivocal.

And Dr Richardson is no stranger to receiving awards. In 2009 he was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching First Year Students and was also voted EXMSS Best Extramural Lecturer.

Students commented that “It was a great learning experience. The paper is very interesting and you are really motivated to learn.”

Two non-academic awards for service and support were also announced.

The EXMSS Staff Awards for Excellent Service and Support were awarded to Massey’s Centre for Teaching and Learning, and the Alliance Catering Staff.

The staff at the Centre for Teaching and Learning provide key study support for distance students such as the pre-reading service, study skills seminars and online workshops.

Alliance Catering is the company which runs the food hall on Manawatu campus and to the dietary requirement of the several thousand students and staff who live and work on campus.   Comments collected from the EXMSS contact course surveys of distance students included

“The Staff is Fantastic and Friendly” and “Mae is Lovely and Helpful.”

The garden party was also a chance to acknowledge the work and achievements of outgoing EXMSS President Ralph Springett. Ralph has led the Society for six years and has successfully seen EXMSS through the transition from compulsory to voluntary membership.  In acknowledging messages of thanks, Ralph also took the opportunity to introduce the new EXMSS President for 2013-14, Jeanette (J.V.) Chapman.

While there is no ideal time to upgrade a critical system such as Stream, the Summer School period was chosen because of the relatively low number of papers that run over this period. There are still a small number of Summer School papers that are still to be opened, but if you are looking for first, double or second semester sites then login through http://stream1.massey.ac.nz.

As with upgrades of this size it is not unusual to have some teething problems. Massey has been working hard to resolve Stream site problems and as a student advocate I have seen a passion for getting it sorted in the staff at the coal-face. Massey has learned from this exercise and has committed to work with Massey and student media to better inform students of planned upgrades in future.

 While the look and feel of the new version remains relatively familiar there are some obvious enhancements that will not only save time but also make the learning experience richer and more rewarding.  One of the stand out features is drag and drop functional which allows you to drag a file from your computer into Stream, this could be real time saver when it comes to assignment file uploads.

Integration with other Stream tools such as myPortfolio and eventually virtual classrooms (Adobe Connect) are also new, along with a mobile theme which will allow those using tablets or other mobile devices to interact with Stream in way that it is suited to their device.

 The Stream Guide has been redesigned and includes instructions on how to use some of the most commonly used Stream tools. It also has information on how to request print versions of digital material and a browser-check page that tells you whether you are have the right equipment to get the best out of Stream.

 If you have an issue with your Stream site post on the facebook extramural community site, or send an email to me, Ralph@exmss.org.nz. Look out for more information on the Stream upgrade in the Massive and the Off Campus magazines.