10 to 1: Students’ Associations Unite

After two years of planning, all 10 of Massey’s students’ associations are combining into one.

Fatima Imran, Chair of Massey University Students’ Association Federation (MUSAF) said, “Massey University will now hear one voice.”

A survey found that only 23 per cent of students know which association represents them. But with a new plan, student representation will be less complicated.

While there are currently 12 student presidents, the new association will have three student presidents - a Māori, Pasifika and General/Distance president. Each student president will lead their corresponding student reps. The three presidents can be from any Massey campus and will be appointed by the MUSAF Board.

Imran said the model hopes to bring equity for Māori and Pasifika students. She recognised that in 2020, Māori and Pasifika student reps were not paid to represent Māori and Pasifika students. Now they will have paid hours for this.

With 58 student reps, Massey University has the most student reps out of any New Zealand university. However, the new plan allows for 23 student reps spread evenly across the campuses, including distance.

Imran said the University has wanted the association structure to change for 10 years. But in the past two years, Massey has put more pressure on the Federation to change the way the associations are structured. The Federation is confident it will ensure support and cohesion to effectively represent students. “In unity there is strength,” Imran said.

The Federation is open to students’ feedback on the Student Representation Update document.

“We would love for people to hear our idea, give us feedback and we’ll see what we can do.” The new association does not have a name yet but a proposal is underway.