News 25 Mar – Unrest at MIT? OUSA for Sale?

March 25th 2010 at 8:51am, By Dave Guerin

OUSA for Sale Otago University Students Assn was upfor sale on TradeMe as an anti-VSM stunt, but TradeMe took the auction down after a few hours. OUSA was asking $30m, which might be a bit steep. NZUSA’s co-presidents were in Palmerston North campaigning this week. If you’re still reading, you could check out the video of this VSM debate at OUSA.
ACE Maryan Street of Labour has put out a release about her presentation of an ACE petition to the Education and Science Committee – also an NZPA story here.
MIT and Unite Clash The Union Unite has put out a release claiming that MIT is restricting students from forming a student union at MIT and preventing Unite from seeking signatures for a Citizens Initiatied Referendum on a $15/hour minimum wage. The release is a bit unclear about whether Unite wants to have a Unite club or a student union on site, but they’re upset and plan to push things on campus today.
New Music Facilities Tai Poutini Polytechnic is opening its refurbished Music Audio Institute of NZ facilities in Auckland tomorrow – Minister of Maori Affairs and Associate Minister of Education Pita Sharples will do the honours.
New Hairdressing facilities Aoraki Polytechnic has set up a hairdressing training salon in Dunedin - only one other provider, a PTE, offers hairdressing training in Dunedin.
Pharmacy Trainer Extraordinaire A pharmacy tutor at UCOL has been made a life member of the Pharmacy Society after 50 years service to the industry – it’s a nice story, so have a read.
Minority Students Excluded? NZUSA is arguing that tying funding to students’ grades will cut access for mature, Maori, Pacific Island and second-chance learners.