Welfare
VUWSA is run by students, so we understand your problems, whether they relate to paying the rent (especially in Wellington), your employers, sexual harassment, dealing with Studylink, or any of those other things that goes with being an adult. Here’s some information about the welfare services we provide.
- Halls of Residence (20k)
- Accommodation Issues. (20k)
If you have any questions whatsoever about your welfare, please don’t hesitate to ask VUWSA for help - just call into the ground floor of the Student Union Building and speak to the Welfare Vice-President and they will help you out. Phone: 04-463-6985.
The Foodbank
VUWSA runs a foodbank, which gives out food parcels on a personal need basis throughout the year. If your cupboards are empty owing to problems receiving money from StudyLink, or you are facing financial hardship, then come down to the ground floor of the Student Union Building between 12 noon and 2 pm. Foodbank parcels are also available at the Pipitea office – G08 OGB, between 9am and 2pm. You can fill out a form, have a talk to the Welfare Vice-President, and pick up a parcel.
Studylink & WINZ
Important: Apply early for your student allowance
Or you will miss out on some payments. Studylink are no longer backdating student allowance so you must apply no later than the first week. Get in early apply online at www.studylink.govt.nz or call 0800 88 99 00.
Sandra Crews - Phone: 463 6984 | Send e-mail.
Student Hardship Fund
All Students pay a levy into the Hardship Fund, which then gives out money to financially troubled students through an application process. If you are having problems with money - and let’s face it, who isn’t? - then you can apply to the Hardship Fund. Grants are given out via the Hardship Committee, so if you want to apply (or take advantage of its budgeting advice), contact Student Finance Advisory Service.
Kelburn: 463-7474 or visit them at 14 Kelburn Parade (in courtyard behind Careers Service).
Pipitea: Level 2, West Wing, Railway Station.
Te Aro: Ground Floor, 139 Vivian St (by the Common Room).
Karori: Level 3, Gray Block, Donald St.
Sexual Harassment
As a member of the Victoria University community, you are entitled to work, learn, study and socialise in an environment of safety and respect. Sexual harassment jeopardises these rights.
Sexual harassment is any form of unwanted sexual behaviour, either physical or verbal. It can range from sexual jokes through to assault. Both staff and students can be the victims or perpetrators of harassment. It can occur between two students. It affects both men and women. Whether the effects are mildly embarrassing, distracting, emotionally distressing or physically threatening, you don’t have to put up with it.
If you find that a simple “no” doesn’t stop the offensive behaviour, or if you can’t confront the harasser for fear of the consequences, it is time to seek help.
The University has set up specific procedures to deal with sexual harassment that are designed so that you do not have to fear recriminations. You may also seek help off-campus with the police, the ombudsman, the Human Rights Commission, and many volunteer organisations.
The student sexual harassment contact people are listed below. You can also talk to the University’s facilitator and Disputes Adviser on 463-5023, or visit room 005 in the Robert Stout Building.
Thursdays in Black
Thursdays in Black is a campaign run throughout universities in New Zealand by students’ association (including VUWSA) and the Women’s Collective. Supporting the campaign means that you are sick and tired of putting up with rape and violence in our communities: you wear black on a Thursday to show your disapproval. There is Thursdays in Black merchandise (short sleeved t-shirt, $25; long sleeved, $35) available from the VUWSA office anytime it’s open.
All the money raised goes to support ‘grass roots’ organisations that help survivors of rape and violence. In Wellington, we have traditionally given our money to the Wellington Independent Rape Crisis and the money has been used for the Reclaim the Night marches (women reclaim the night as their own).
Women’s Room
The Women’s Room is a place for women only: a place where women can take some time out from study and lectures to breast feed their baby, use the phone to sort out work, personal or family commitments, use the kettle or have a nap on one of the couches. This room is located by the Salient offices, on the second floor of the Student Union Building, and is open during the day.
Campus Angels
Campus Angels is a service provided by VUWSA for students studying late at university to assist them in getting home safely. Angels will see students to their home (if in walking distance), or safely to their car or public transport. This service operates on weeknights during 1st and 2nd Trimester of the University year.
Hours are:
6:30 to 10:30pm at the Kelburn Library.
7pm to 11pm at the Law School Library.
7pm to Midnight at Architecture school on Vivian St.
If you would like to know more about this service, please contact: Melissa Barnard (Welfare Vice President) via email or phone 04-463-6985
Listed below are some of the services paid for out of student levies. For a more complete list of student services paid for by your university levy click here.
Accomodation Service
For information on accommodation around Victoria University and advice on flatting and tenancy click here.
Counselling Service
Counselling is paid for within your student levies and is available to all students at no additional cost. Drop in sessions most days at different times from Monday drop in sessions at Te Aro, for these times phone (04) 463 5310.
For further information or self help information over common problems click here.
Disability Support Services
This service aims to make study at Victoria easier for disabled students. It has services like note takers for lectures and special facilities for students during exams.
For more information click here.
Student Financial Support and Advice
For budgeting advice, advice on student loans and allowances phone (04) 463 7474. This student service also provides advice on applying for the student hardship fund and how to prepare financial documents for scholarship applications. This is situated at 14 Kelburn parade.
For further details and other useful resources click here.
Wellington Sexual Health Service (WIPA)
The sexual health clinic provides free sexual health screenings for further details and appointments phone (04) 385 9879. This service is situated at 17 Adelaide Road, Newtown.
Student Health
Student health provides service that is paid for out of your levies to this University provide Victoria students with quality medical support at no additional cost—international students pay $25 for a doctors consultation or $10 for a nurse. Student health has locations on Pipitea, Kelburn and Kaori and Te Aro campuses.
For further details and a health guide click here.