Does or does not OUSA support clubs and societies? I always thought one of the strengths (possibly few) of the “student movement” was that it was distributed in nature and support for cultural and sporting activities was a very democratic and efficient mechanism for encouraging and enhancing student welfare (particularly sport at a time in most peoples lives where, post compulsory schooling this might be challenge). I don’t know what your definition of “dodgy” is David, particularly in the applied mathematics field of study (please illuminate). Now of course it might be that these clubs will continue to exist and support the activities sans OUSA and the the activities will be enhanced without OUSA. I am increasingly agnostic on these matters but to describe the statistics as “dodgy” is very “Trans-tasman” of you.

I’m doing my sub in CHCH at 11am. It will be stat free . .

If i cared enough (and once did) i would go into the proportion of OUSA budget that supports clubs and societies in detail. Please note ODT said “including” … . it is certainly true that students’ associations (as do all political orgs) trot out stuff (they are called numbers) and extrapolate. The argument was that student activities were under threat and that this involved XYZ. Now I do not have the transcript of what the student leaders said and what the ODT stated in their report. Do you David? What surprised me was the unexpected impression of your blog given your normal high standards.

I think OUSA, as reported by the ODT, left an imprecise impression of what volunteers really did, which made the numbers presented somewhat dodgy, especially since most club members are not volunteering for OUSA, but affiliate to OUSA to get some meeting space and funds. Dean, you are free to disagree, as you have.