Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association

The VUWSA Executive consists of 13 students. They are responsible for the strategic direction and governance of the Association,  implement policy current and past students have set, and work for students on a daily basis.

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Bridie Hood

President

Bridie helps you by:

• Being a student representative on numerous VUW and national boards and committees, including VUW University Council, VUWSA Academic Board, Universities New Zealand Committee on University Academic Preparation (CUAP) and NZUSA University Sector Council
• Providing you with advice and networks on how you can become more involved in your Students’ Association
• Leading on long term strategic issues affecting students
• Overseeing VUWSA’s democratic processes and ensuring VUWSA policy and goals are enacted
• Acting as the official VUWSA spokesperson, representing VUWSA to stakeholders and media, nationally and internationally

VUWSA has a proud history of working for students at Victoria and this year I plan to continue working on our 113 year old tradition of effectively representing and advocating for students, ensuring that all VUW students receive a high quality education and well-rounded student experience.

Phone: (04) 463 6986

Email: president@vuwsa.org.nz

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Josh Wright

Vice President (Academic)

My role encompasses a whole bunch of stuff, but basically I strive to ensure you receive the best education possible here at Victoria. For the list lovers, here are a few key components of the role which matter most to students:

Josh helps you by:

• Alongside the President, I am in charge of the governance of VUWSA’s representative function, and I work hard to ensure student reps are empowered across the University—whether they are Class Reps, Faculty Delegates, or Academic Board Reps;
• Working alongside the Education Organiser, Fiona Beals, in writing submissions for various things, including programme reviews and external proposals;
• Engaging with students in problem-solving in a class-wide context; and
• Secretary of the organisation—basically, I am the record-taker for all of the meetings, which allows me to keep stray Exec members in check!

Please feel free to drop by at any time to have a chat to me—I am in the office most days for at least a few hours, and if I’m not you can make an appointment with me at reception.

Phone: (04) 463 7406

Email: avp@vuwsa.org.nz

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Rory McCourt

Vice President (Welfare) (Acting)

Rory helps you by:

• Helping to facilitate the provision of your welfare services like Hardship Grants, Free Bread and Stress Free Study Week
• Advocating for your student welfare around student finance (loans, allowances, course related costs)
• Advocating for your rights and interests in local government and central government policy (alcohol reform, housing standards, public transport funding)
• Representing your views on various University and community committees (Reduce Harm Committee, Student Services Committee, etc.)
• Engaging with you to better represent your wants, needs and views on all of the above

Life can be hard when you have to juggle school, work and a million other things. Your student association understands, and we make it our job to ease some of these factors so that you can focus on your academic success and having an awesome student experience. I’m excited about giving voice to students and standing up for a fair deal.

You can drop in and see Rory Mondays at the VUWSA Offices, or contact him below for all inquiries:

Phone: (04) 463 7406

Email: wvp@vuwsa.org.nz  OR welfare.officer@vuwsa.org.nz

Twitter: @rorymccourt

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William Guzzo

Treasurer

William helps you by:

• Ensuring that VUWSA remains financially sustainable, which ensures a strong student voice
• Ensuring efficiency, transparency and legal compliance, as per our constitution
• Offering financial advice to executive members, rep groups, clubs and students
• Heading the Publications Committee, which oversees Salient and the VBC
• Ensuring that the students get value for money from VUWSA

The role of the Treasurer is to keep VUWSA accountable and to ensure you are getting the best value solution for your needs. My office is open for any financial needs or issues you may have – whether that be running a club, where you’d like to see VUWSA financially, simply wanting to do a tax return or having a yarn about life issues. 2012 will be as only as good as you make it and the same goes with VUWSA. Come and voice your opinion and help me to help shape VUWSA into a strong, relevant and innovative organization

Phone: (04) 463 7406

Email: treasurer@vuwsa.org.nz

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Andreas Triandafilidis

Activities Officer

Andreas helps you by:

• Helping to get the most out of your university experience by supporting activities on campus
• Providing opportunities for individuals and groups on campus to come together
• Organising new events and activities on campus

As someone who is passionate about making a difference and enjoys working with others, I think I am well suited to this role. I am also a keen listener and quick adapter, which I think are key qualities for an elected representative, especially when an organisation is undergoing major change (as VUWSA is doing in response to Voluntary Student Membership).

I am keen to hear your ideas and work with you in order to ensure that the Vic Uni student experience is an awesome one – especially when it comes to VUWSA and club activities – so please feel free to get in touch.

Phone: (04) 463 6980

Email: activities.officer@vuwsa.org.nz

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Adele Redmond

Campaigns Officer

Adele helps you by:

• Taking action on issues raised by students
• Working on local and national campaigns to improve student welfare
• Instigating discussion on the quality of our education

It’s my responsibility to help you make your voice heard. Student activism can be a powerful force in tackling educational, political and social issues. I’m here to support you, so if you want to raise awareness or take action on a matter, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Phone: (04) 463 6980

Email: campaigns.officer@vuwsa.org.nz

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Reed Fleming

Clubs Officer

Reed helps you by:

• Putting you in touch with clubs and societies that you are interested in
• Supporting clubs on campus and helping them contribute to a vibrant campus
• Helping new clubs form to ensure we have clubs to cater for every member of VUWSA

Phone: (04) 463 6980

Email: clubs.officer@vuwsa.org.nz

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Sam Vincent

Education Officer

Sam helps you by:

• Working with class reps to ensure that they are representing your interests and that students are receiving a quality education at VUW
• Working alongside the Education team to develop ways to improve student representation on campus
• Consulting with students on education-based issues that are effecting them

Phone: (04) 463 6980

Email: education.officer@vuwsa.org.nz

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Sophie Turner

Environmental Officer

Sophie helps you by:

• Assisting environment groups by strengthening ties between them and helping with promotion of events
•  Contributing to VUWSA’s Welfare Team
• Advocating for sustainability at a local, national, and international level
• Sitting on VUW’s Environmental Committee,
• Making it easier for students to make the change to a more sustainable lifestyle, through hosting an Environment Week and various other on-campus projects and events.

If there’s an environmental issue you feel strongly about, if you want to take part in one of the environmental groups on campus, or if you want to share some of your ideas to make campus and the student experience more eco-friendly, please come and have a chat! You can find me in the office most days, or contact me at

Phone: (04) 463 6980

Email: environment.officer@vuwsa.org.nz

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Genevieve Fowler

Queer Officer

Genevieve helps you by:

• Coordinating queer support and awareness programs like Queer Mentoring and Safer Spaces
• Facilitating her own initiatives, like Queering Our Campuses, the website revamp and other supercool gay projects.
• Supporting UniQ, The Girls Group, The Gender Club and their awesome events and causes
• Promoting visibility and awareness for LGBT issues on campus, and advocating for the interests and well-being of queer students

Phone: (04) 463 6980

Email: queer.officer@vuwsa.org.nz

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Sara Bishop

Women’s Rights Officer

Sara helps you by:

• Ensuring that VUWSA’s representative goals extend to women
• Liaising with organizations around Wellington that help women
• Raising awareness of women’s issues in tertiary education and beyond
• Making sure that Victoria is a safe environment for women to pursue their academic goals

Phone: (04) 463 6980

Email: womens.officer@vuwsa.org.nz