If the Freedom of Association Bill is passed next year then in 2011 EXMSS will be faced with having to convince its prospective members that joining is money well spent. “But that is how it is for all other organizations” I hear you shout. True, but EXMSS is not just services, a big part of what we do is providing a united student voice on campus. If we do not have universal membership then we cannot speak on behalf with authority. If we spend a heap of money on advertising and promotion to get membership up then we can’t provide the level of service we currently can. I am not against some minor changes but asking students to make a decision at enrolment as to whether they should become members will take our membership into the gutter. Not because we are doing a bad job, but because we work behind the scenes. We help hundreds of students each year with advocacy and hardship issues, if you come to campus we have services like the shuttlebus and the help desk for you. The Massey services are good on campus partly because EXMSS surveys the students attending and delivers the results back to Massey so improvements can be made. We have presented a professional, well considered voice on Massey’s Council for years, encouraging student centred initiatives and progress on extramural issues like the ability to submit assignments online which is finally rolling out across the university. We hold the university accountable for the decisions it makes.
Based on the information they have, I cannot expect new students, or those who have not had any major issues to deal with, to choose to spend another $40 at the time of enrolment and become a member of EXMSS . If students understood what EXMSS has achieved for students over the years and recently then perhaps they would. The problem is the impossibility of explaining this to those enrolling. Based on what you know about EXMSS would you become a member?
Hello All,
How much about EXMSS does the average extramural student know? As a previous extramural when I started out I would say not much. But now as an Executive member I want to let everyone know that without EXMSS I would not have been able to attend contact courses without their help. I would not have had the advocacy that I needed to obtain an agreotat pass when I was sick for an exam. I would not have had the support out in the regions where I could talk to someone about the courses I was doing or find someone to study with. All the services that EXMSS offers are free except for the once a year membership fee and this fee is one of, if not the lowest in the country. I believe that membership in EXMSS is a essential part of extramural study and I believe it needs to be compulsory so that extramurals have a strong and consistent voice in how tertiary providers will provide our educational requirements.
Sharon Dawson
EXMSS Executive Committee Member Northern North Island
Many students appear to think that students associations are about getting stuff they don’t want, with money they are forced to pay. That’s a blinkered view. Many students don’t know the difference between a student service levy and a student union membership – which at EXMSS is only $40 at present. But in the holdays they`ll all rush off to Student JOb Search, which in part is paid for by their student association costs.
Knowing what I know about the positive work being done by EXMSS I would not hesitate to enrol if it was not compulsory. However, I may be viewed somewhat bias as an Area Rep and Execute member of EXMSS, but my association only reinforces my position as I have seen first hand the excellent work that has been done so far, as highlighted in the Presidents blog. The $40 fee is absolute value for money, although not every student needs advocacy support there are many other ways in which to benefit, one of the main benefits is the peace of mind – EXMSS is like insurance and knowing EXSSM is there if I ever do need assistance, advise, or just a shoulder to lean on when the going gets tough with my studies makes me feel more confident. Lets hope our collective voices continue to be heard on campus and we can continue to hold Massey accountable to their distant students.
I have been enrolled in three New Zealand Universities in my time and have yet to set foot on a Massey campus, but what voice do I need there? For $40 I could almost fly to and from the campus (Not sure about this: President), if I had something to say or use modern technology to communicate by distance, which is what EXMSS is all about; distance communication and education. If you must make amendments then at least remove the compulsory fee from returning students, and make that optional. This allows first years to experience and educate themselves as to the nature of your organisation then gives everyone the choice once they have knowledge regarding the benefits/costs to make a rational and informed choice as to their own membership.
“Just my two-cents”
I guess I would have given it a go for a semester or two but then I would have realised that for me as an extramural student and in the light of my own personal situation (never was sick on exam day – Dang!) there was no return on my “investment”.
If the law change goes through EXMSS will indeed have to demonstrate that they do something useful with the money they receive. No harm in being accountable, I think. Considering that currently there is no choice for students to join or not to join I do not think EXMSS can claim that at the moment they can “speak on behalf with authority”. If I was leading a stakeholder group I think I would prefer having a smaller and committed membership rather than a large one with most/ many members not engaged in what is going on. Yes, some services will no longer be affordable but are they essential or merely “nice-to-haves”?
Not all student associations are as good as Massey’s. Canterbury Student Association has just increased their membership fee massively. They provide a mass of services for on-campus students, but as an extramural it angers me when I get spam about Student Association on-campus parties, dinners, barbeques… that I have to help fund. On top of that, the distance courses are rubbish, and there is no accountability.
On the other hand, Massey Extramural courses are exceptional, and solid feedback giving solutions, as well as willingness to change, has made Massey the best distance learning university. For this reason, I think EXSSM should be complusory. However I don’t think the Canterbury Student Assoc. should be.
Firstly let’s separate on campus students and Extramural/online students.
On campus membership of Students’ Associations should be compulsory for 3-4 years (dependent on degree) and then non-compulsory and or free for any further study at the particular university. In the case they move Universities then it starts at year zero (this is all applicable to undergraduate degrees,all othercourses MA/PHD, Post Grad Dip should be voluntary or free membership)
Extramural/online student association membership should be voluntary.
In the case of mixed (off and on campus) degrees. the largest % of study form will determine where they sit.
As you can see I think compulsory membership for Extramural students is a rort.
One of the most important things I have learned, is that it is important to have a collective voice when dealing with government institutions, Students’ Associations and the like. One lone voice does not get very far but a collective voice carries some weight. I agree that it is hard to pay extra money at the time of enrolment but at the same time I know that EXMSS is there for me if I need them.
As a current post graduate extramural student, I understand EXMSS is in the process to ensure there are services available to assist in my journey to academic success. The fees are horrendous and daunting for next year, and would love to see some more post-graduate services available out in the regions or held during contact course time.
A recent discussion with fellow EXMSS Executive members highlighted the need for an independent student voice-your insurance policy. As Executive member, we ARE accountable to all extramural students in every step of the process, from consultation, social occasions, celebrating the success and facing the challenges of extramural studies, robust finance guidelines and expertise (no perks unlike the Parliament system), and in my role as Māori representative within EXMSS, I provide a strong voice for Māori extramural students.
I also liaise with the students of Taranaki, in my role as the Extramural Area Representative- to gain their views on what services and support they would like, specific to Taranaki students. Other EXMSS Extramural Area Representatives are also available in regions around Aotearoa to provide a friendly local face to support students in their areas.
I disagree with the view for post graduates to pay nothing for membership to EXMSS, I think it should be equal contribution regardless of level of study, and I want equal level of support services based on value for dollar each year, and to have the power to hold EXMSS accountable based on my affordable annual monetary fee. It is more about informing EXMSS as to the service students do or don’t require in order to implement the changes and correctly represent the views of ALL extramural students.
I have read from other Student Associations of representing only a certain society of their constituents, however am confident EXMSS has a high level governance experience, variety and capability, strong leadership within the President, efficient and professional staff on-campus in Palmerston North and a extensive network of Area representatives to keep a finger on the ‘extramural student’ pulse in regions of Aotearoa, including students studying outside New Zealand. And all we ask is for each student to contribute $40. Bargain for dollar, we listen to what you have to say as an extramural student and your views are what drives out focus each year. We encourage you to provide feedback and discussion on the effectiveness of an independent student voice.
Nga mihi nui Katoa
Tiri Porter
EXMSS Māori Representative
Taranaki Extramural Area Representative