VUWSA Reject ANZAC Honour - Students Don't
Submitted by Peter McCaffrey on 28 April 2009 - 10:07pmWhat a night. First we had private armies, now VUWSA makes the front page of the Stuff website again.
Salient covered the issue earlier, but it seems to be gathering momentum.
I suggest contacting Anne Tolley and Wayne Mapp and explaining why this is a perfect example of why we should have Voluntary Student Membership.
My email is below. You can contact Anne and Wayne here:
a.tolley@ministers.govt.nz
w.mapp@ministers.govt.nz
Dear Anne Tolley,
I wish to make it clear that the disgraceful actions of VUWSA on ANZAC day (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/2370454/Student-body-rejected-...) are not reflective of my beliefs.
I find it objectionable that VUWSA would boycott ANZAC day simply because a few members of the executive believe that the day glorifies war.
However I find it equally objectionable that these people are my official representatives as a student of VUWSA - something of which I have no choice in.
It is ludicrous to assume that the views of the VUWSA executive are even remotely reflective of the student body as a whole.
In fact, how can they be? An organisation that 'represents' all students cannot take a position on any issue without misrepresenting some students.
This latest stunt by VUWSA is significant only because of the extent to which VUWSA is misrepresenting students. Unfortunately, VUWSA misrepresent some students every day.
Please end compulsory membership of student associations. As far as i'm concerned, student associations should be free to do as they like, but they shouldn't be able to represent me without my permission, and they shouldn't be able to take $135 for the privilege.
April 30th, 2009 at 1:05pm
Dear Mr Payne
On behalf of Hon Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Defence, thank you for your email regarding the decision of the Victoria University of Wellington Student Association not to lay a wreath at the commemorations on ANZAC Day.
I have passed on your email and your concerns to Dr Mapp for his consideration.
The matter of compulsory student union membership falls within the ministerial responsibility of Hon Anne Tolley, Minister for Tertiary Education. I refer you to Minister Tolley in this regard.
Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with the Minister.
Yours sincerely
Jonathan Franklin
Private Secretary (Advisory)
Office of Hon Dr Wayne Mapp
Minister of Defence
Minister of Science, Research and Technology
Associate Minister for Economic Development
Associate Minister for Tertiary Education
April 30th, 2009 at 5:27pm
Yep, that's what I got too.
Clearly they've had enough emails to justify creating a form response. :)
April 30th, 2009 at 5:35pm
Didnt expect a personalised response from Wayne or Anne in all honesty. Good to see Heather Roy agrees though.
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