TO: Massey University Students’ Federation AGM 2011
FROM: Tiri Porter: Maori Student Representative on Massey Council
DATE: 2nd November 2011
Tena Koutou katoa,
Thank you for the opportunity to represent MUSAF on the Massey Council for the past 22 months.
I am happy to report on the following:
- Meeting attendance: I can confirm I have attended all Council Meetings (except one special meeting teleconference in March to approve recommendations from the Honorary Committee). I also participated and attended two Governance Committee meetings of which I was successful in being an elected member for 2011:
| Council Meetings | Audit and Risk Meetings
(Part Voluntary) |
| 28 January: Governance Committee | I took the opportunity to attend all Audit and Risk meetings, in cases where I was able to arrange travel and accommodation to do so. I found attending this valuable in order to understand and hear discussions on the documents being tabled before the full Council meeting the next day. |
| 4 March | |
| 5 April: Governance Committee | |
| 6 May | |
| June Planning Session | |
| 1 July | |
| 2 September | |
| 7 October | |
| December: Due to attend | |
| Copies of minutes, agenda and reports are available to be read here | |
- Graduation/celebrations attendance: I can confirm I attended the following:
| Albany | Pasifika and Maori celebrations |
| Graduation ceremonies | |
| Wellington | Maori and Pasifika celebrations |
| Graduation ceremonies | |
| Alumni Event | |
| Palmerston North | Maori and Pasifika celebrations |
| Graduation ceremonies | |
| Alumni Event | |
| Lunch to Honorary Doctorate recipient: Jeremiah Mataparae |
I found these valuable in terms of extending my networking with Massey students on campus, MUSAF members, Massey Staff, graduates, alumni members, community members and local personalities. In 2011, I made a concerted effort to contact each student association President, Roopu Tumuaki and Maori Student Officers, expressing my interest in meeting with them when I am on campus, to discuss any pressing issues that affect Maori students on campus, and where I can help out to assist in my capacity as a Council Member. In particular, thank you to Kent, Terewai, Leyland, Mavis, Alex, Max, Brooke and Sumire for your awesome time and commitment towards students studying at Massey. I truly valued the networking opportunities to meet with you all, to chat and strategize on keeping students interests in the forefront at the Council level. Nga mihi ki a koutou katoa.
I also wish to acknowledge the success of Maori graduates and our Pacific brothers and sister students in 2011, by attending all Maori and Pasifika celebrations @ Massey Albany, Manawatu and Wellington.
In my 2010 report to MUSAF, I can report back on the four recommendations as follows:
i) Incorporate an understanding of Maori protocols within Council duties in the induction of new council members
OUTCOME: I tabled a report and a follow up report to the Council for consideration.
A copy of this report can be found here: C11/16 Maori Protocols for Council 4 March 2011
This involved liaising with the Chancellor, Pro Vice Chancellor, Sir Professor Mason Durie, Jacob Tapiata, Donald Ripia and Te Tumatakuru O’Connell and my fellow Council members who were in support of the initiative. This has resulted in Maori Protocols training session for all Council members, to be delivered by Office of Maori and Pasifika Staff in March 2012. If re-elected, I would be happy to report back to MUSAF on the effectiveness of this session, and also how this will benefit all students and ultimately the University governance board as a whole.
ii) Attend all Maori celebration ceremonies
OUTCOME: Alongside the Chancellor, I believe I was the only other Council member to attend all Maori celebrations at each campus.
iii) Encourage open communication between the Council and Management in regards to Council members’ participation and awareness of Maori celebration ceremonies
OUTCOME: I have fostered relationships with new Council members and provided support and encouragement for them to attend celebration ceremonies in 2012. Awareness of Maori celebration ceremonies are also a topic in which will be covered in the Maori Protocols training session in March 2012.
iv) Canvas all Massey Student Associations and Roopu feedback in regards to maintaining Maori and Pasifika celebrations.
OUTCOME: There was high regard and support for these ceremonies to continue.
- 3. Highlights
- The opportunity to table and present a paper for Council consideration.
- Selected as a member to the Governance Committee
- Campus tours, in particular Wellington, Albany and the Vet School in Palmerston North.
- Encouraged more formal reporting from Student Representatives to MUSAF and student members
- Professional development opportunities as Council member
- Ability to contribute my knowledge and experience at the Council level
- Being able to work with the other student representatives, Ralph and Kent, in a cohesive manner for the betterment of all students at Massey
- I feel my comments are valued and heard at the Council table
- I am one of two Maori women currently sitting on Council.
- I am currently the youngest Council member.
- 4. Challenges
- Balancing my own post graduate studies in governance, with that of being a governance member of the University.
- Passing of the Freedom of Association Act
- Education Act No.4 and the need for students to know what services are going to be available next year
- Finding a good seat at the Council table so I can hear what is being said by those speaking.
- The appointment of this role is only for 1 year, in which is in conflict with the Council’s wish for continuity in representation.
- 5. The future
- To ensure succession, foster the interest by all candidates who are nominated for a Student Representative position on Council. E.g. keep all candidates informed of MUSAF and Council Reps activities throughout the year.
- More induction training for new student Reps on Council by MUSAF- in particular fee setting.
- Create a list of previous student reps on Council as a pool for current reps to tap into and seek guidance and advice.
- Student representation on Council post 2012?
- Student Council body under VSM
Thank you must be extended to Ralph Springett. As the first student representative to be selected as an Audit and Risk member for the past 2 years, Ralph provides continuity to the student presence on the Council, and he is well respected by our fellow Council members. He also respects other people’s points of view and will seek to formulate a way forward for the benefit of all students at Massey University, regardless of mode of study, college or campus. Extramural students are placed well with a President such as Ralph, and as an EXMSS member, I wish to thank him in providing guidance for me as a fresh Council member, and for recognising the opportunities and doors that open in this role.
In closing, thank you for the opportunity to represent MUSAF at the Council table in 2010 and 2011, I have relished the chance to be involved and get a bigger picture of how the University operates, and being able to provide a Maori student perspective to such operations.
Naku noa, Na
Tiri Porter
BBS
