Student Voices Left Unheard

STUDENT AFFAIRS / UCSA ELECTION 2024

Exclusive interview with UCSA Presidential Candidate Beatrix Gilling.

While the UCSA Election came and went, concerns remain regarding the degree to which student voices are being truly heard and effectively actioned by the UCSA Executive Team. The election period brought a flurry of campaigns and promises, but the underlying question persists: will the elected leaders genuinely represent the diverse needs and aspirations of the student body, or will these voices once again be lost? 

In the week leading up to the election, as students prepared to head to the ballots and cast their votes, I had the opportunity to speak with Beatrix Gilling, a President-elect hopeful who offered critical insights into the current issues plaguing the UCSA. She shared her vision for how she would address these challenges if given the chance to serve in office. Gilling’s candid discussion highlighted the frustrations many students feel about the existing communication gaps and the perceived lack of transparency within the UCSA, as well as her commitment to bridging these divides and implementing meaningful change during her tenure.

“There was no submission to either one of those which I found pretty abhorrent.”

UCSA failure: Council LTP Submission

Gilling was shocked to learn that the UCSA had not made a submission on the Christchurch City Council’s and Environment Canterbury’s Long Term Plans on behalf of the student body. “There was no submission to either one of those which I found pretty abhorrent”. Gilling cited this as a primary motivator to run for the Presidency.

The UCSA, whose role is to represent the interests of the student body, should be taking the initiative to bring forward these issues to central and local government in the form of submissions and deputations, argues Gilling. 

Transparency in the UCSA

Gilling discussed the lack of transparency with the processes and internal dialogue within the students’ association, noting closed door meetings being used to discuss important issues that pertain to students.

While closed door meetings may be necessary to deliberate sensitive issues, the information discussed should eventually be declassified and made available to students, she argued, saying that “students need to know what’s happening”. This barrier perpetuates the issues of poor communication between the student body and the UCSA.

“Student need to know what’s happening.”

Advocating for Student Voices beyond Campus

Gilling outlined a plan for the UCSA to bring student voices to central and local government which would help bridge the gap between the association and the student body. Changing zoning rules for higher density housing in Riccarton and Ilam to allow for affordable city living for students and young people was one of the key issues Gilling was keen to campaign on to council. This tied into her motivation to get into politics and ultimately run for the UCSA presidency, having a “vision of wanting to live a dignified life”. 

Gilling came third in the Presidential race last month with 11.5% of the popular vote and was popular among progressive electors. 

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JOSEPH DAVIDSON-LABOUT