Press Release Regarding Student Associations Merger Proposal

Te Kūnenga Ki Pūrehuroa (Massey University) General Student Associations Investigate Merging  - MUSA, MAWSA, ASA, and [email protected]

All four Massey University general Students' Associations have recently investigated options to provide a more equitable student experience across all campuses, including our distance students.

For us, it is important our students are treated fairly by the University and we believe having one clear and concise voice is much more powerful than four siloed voices, as they currently stand. This is the reason why we are considering a merge, as the benefits of this option strongly outway others we considered.

This is being investigated alongside most of the local partner associations; Kōkiri Ngātahi at the Wellington campus, and Manawatahi in Manawatū. The investigation also includes the local Pasifika associations. However, we intend to work with many other communities, as we know that every student faces different challenges and these need to be reflected in the organisation that’s representing their voice. We would also like to note that given the lack of representatives for Māori and Pasifika voices in the distance cohort, we will be actively engaging with these students.

Below is an outline of some benefits of merging:

✊ An opportunity to build an association that honours Te Tiriti with genuine co-governance.

✊ Streamlining services, aiming to increase the equity of services for each cohort.

✊ Creating one united and strengthened student voice at Massey that spans Aotearoa (and beyond, through our distance cohort).

✊ Catering to the increasing number of blended learning students who are partially distance, partially internally enrolled, and aren’t currently provided for or represented equitably.

✊ Uplifting students voices who are frequently left out of the conversation by Massey.

This would be a history-making decision for the students' associations of Te Kūnenga Ki Pūrehuroa (Massey University), and we don’t take it lightly. Moving forward, we want to ensure students are involved in this decision as we aim to best serve our students in future years. If you want to have your voice included, email your cohort President or [email protected]

Each association will provide their cohorts with more context in coming weeks. Please stay attuned to your association’s channels for information.