An editorial on Massey’s EXMSS

The Manawatu Standard editorial:

There are some serious problems at Massey University’s Extramural Students’ Society, and they wdill not be resolved by the president sticking her head in the sand and hoping they will go away.

I don’t think she wants them resolved. She wants to continue in her job regardless.

In April, Ms Chapman dismissed the vice-president; in May she dissolved the society’s executive; and the following month she appointed three new members to the executive to “pass budgets”. That same executive then agreed to a proposal from Ms Chapman to increase her $20,000 annual salary, allegedly to $50,000, for her part-time position.

$50,000 for a part-time job!

The reality she faces, however, is that a significant number of the members she represents have serious concerns about how she has discharged her duties and it is incumbent upon her to address those concerns. Instead, she has rebuffed calls for a special general meeting of the society to discuss the issues and has refused to respond to news media inquiries.

If Ms Chapman is as assured as she appears that all her actions are constitutional and in the best interests of her members, one would have thought she would be eager to dispel the aspersions that have been cast on her leadership.

While Massey University has understandably steered clear of what is effectively an internal students’ society matter, the time has come for the university to bring some pressure to bear, officially or otherwise.

The very public spat between Ms Chapman and her members reflects poorly on Massey and does nothing to encourage people to enroll in its extramural courses. The university provides funding to the society through a service agreement, so it has some leverage that could be used to help resolve this unfortunate episode.

The university are the body that forces all Massey extra-mural students to fund EXMSS. They are culpable for what is happening. Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey should intervene and tell EXMSS there will be no more money unless they have proper accountability.