Students write open letter to MUSA, citing that the values and principles of the organisation are under threat

An open letter is currently circulating Massey, outlining concerns “about the lack of student consultation and transparency of decision-making processes” of Manawatū’s student exec, MUSA. The letter says, if satisfactory responses to the issues raised are not received, the next course of action may be calling for a Special General Meeting to propose motions of no-confidence against the MUSA President, Fatima Imran, and/or other individual exec members. 

Leola Meynell, a PhD student in Psychology, penned the letter in partnership with several unnamed students. In the letter, they raised several complaints, regarding the lack of executive meetings, the abrupt departure of MUSA’s General Manager and alleged lack of student consultation. The letter says, “We are choosing to write now as we believe that the values and principles of MUSA are under threat, and we want to raise wider student awareness of these critical issues.” 

The first issue raised was the Exec “breaching constitutional requirements for MUSA Board meetings”. To date, there has been only one monthly Board meeting held by MUSA, on 17 March, however constitutionally they are required to have one at least monthly. Leola says, “There should have been a minimum of four Board meetings already held by the President and Executive, properly advertised to ensure maximum student engagement … They allow student members of MUSA to critique the President’s and/or Executive’s month-to-month decision-making processes and ensures that financial and governance processes are made transparent.” 

MUSA President, Fatima Imran, says these concerns are “very much justifiable” but can only be accepted in part, explaining “everything has two sides to the story…. there are reasons for our actions.” She explains that a January meeting was postponed due to Covid-19 alert level changes, with a combined January/February meeting held on 17 March. “In effect we have only missed one, which is the one in April for the month of March, unfortunately a number of operation matters did occur in April that required urgent attention by the governance, the General Manager was on a period of leave and Easter Holidays made the meeting difficult to schedule.” The meeting was delayed for 5 May, but with the departure of the General Manager that meeting has again been postponed for the 26 May. “It is accepted that this is not ideal and we are responsible but we do assure you this was not done purposely,” Fatima says. 

The second grievance raised was entitled: “Failure to consult and communicate with students regarding strategic planning.” At their first, and only, board meeting of the year, objectives were outlined of a Strategic Plan, with a draft promised to be shared with students in the coming weeks. So far, no such draft has been shared. Leola questioned the status of the Strategic Plan and when a draft version would be released to students. “Has the President and/or Executive members undertaken high-level strategic decisions without first developing this Strategic Plan and properly consulting students?” 

Fatima denies that this is the case. “MUSA does not have and has not had a strategic plan in the past, we are developing this from scratch,” she says. “I can assure you no high-level strategic decisions have been made by this Board. Students will definitely be appropriately consulted before any high-level strategic decision as we understand that we are accountable to them.” 

The final concern that the letter raised was “Ending the employment of the General Manager of MUSA,” which comes after Craig Black’s abrupt departure from MAWSA after seven years as General Manager. The letter asked what formal processes the Executive engaged in to ensure that this decision was made legally, in good faith, as well as how they “justify this reduction to student services via having no MUSA General Manager for the foreseeable future”. 

Fatima says that the decision for Craig’s departure was “made by Craig and which we agreed to”. She says that no decision has been made regarding the organisation’s structure, and if substantial changes were made, this would be fully consulted with students where appropriate. “In the short term we are very fortunate that we have an experienced group of employees that are able to continue the good work in providing services to students, the executives will be available to assist and provide support to the staff where needed. Should the need arise, we may look to employing on a short-term fixed engagement an interim GM or equivalent.” 

The open letter is currently being circulated amongst students. Only time will tell as to whether the students accept MUSA’s response or pursue further action through an SGM. Juicy!