Why does Canterbury University fund Canta?

Stuff reports:

All copies of University of Canterbury’s student magazine have been recalled after backlash over a “poor taste” article about virtual rape.

The story in Canta magazine, written by a student under the alias Queen B, was published in its Monday edition, and discussed the issue of simulated rape in forums such as video games.

It included the lines: “one might liken you to a drunk sorority girl whose whorey tendencies gets her in stupid situations – you were aware of the risks: you were asking for it”, and “get the f*** back in the kitchen, b****.”

University of Canterbury Students’ Association (UCSA) president Sarah Platt said all copies of the magazine had been recalled from around campus, and the online version removed.

I don’t have a problem with student magazines being edgy and controversial. That is their traditional role.

But what I do have a problem with, is all students being forced to fund them.

Canterbury University gives $274,000 to UCSA for “media”, of which the bulk probably goes to Canta. A student magazine is not an essential student facility or service that should be funded by a compulsory levy. They even state:

Handle UCSA’s communication channels to inspire debate, make you laugh, cry, angry, informed, ambivalent, nonplussed or otherwise.

So the University of Canterbury is so plush with funds, that it forces students to fund a publication that is designed to make some students angry. This shows very clearly that the university is over-funded.