OUSA Exec faces 30% pay cut in final quarter

Seven members of the University of Otago Student Association Executive received pay cuts for the third quarter of 2026, marking the first instance of reduced honoraria for the year. The reductions range from 25% to 30% of their total pay, a steeper penalty than the 10% to 15% cuts issued to seven members last year. The executive committee approved these adjustments after reviewing the work hours and responsibilities of each member during the period.

President Daniel Leamy stated that the reductions demonstrate the group's commitment to accountability, noting that the executive is paid with student money. He described the decision-making process as fair and constructive, distinguishing these current cuts from last year's actions, which the group has termed a write-off. The committee considered factors such as sickness, family issues, and the general expectation that members work their required hours where practicable.

Fergus Parks, the Postgraduate Representative, received the largest reduction at 30%. He averaged 5.32 hours of work per week against a requirement of 10 hours, a drop from 7.96 hours in the second quarter. Parks explained that he spent time preparing for the Supervisor of the Year Award and meeting with the Graduate Research School. He supports the proposal to restructure his role into an Academic Officer, arguing that postgraduate concerns are often handled within departments rather than through his specific role.

Rihana Warsame, the Welfare and Equity Representative, received a 25% cut after averaging 10.7 hours per week against a 20-hour requirement. She attributed the lower output to time spent away from campus and the difficulty of coordinating work across time zones via email and Teams. Warsame noted that her proposal for diversity workshops in first-year halls of residence has stalled due to a lack of enthusiasm and a need for a firm university commitment.

Troy Gibbons, the Finance and Strategy Officer, and Hansini Wijekoon, the Academic Representative, both exceeded their 20-hour requirements with averages of 21.77 and 21.75 hours respectively. Gibbons reported attending protests and preparing the budget for the annual general meeting, while Wijekoon focused on gathering student feedback for the Academic Integrity Policy. The proposal to split the Academic Rep role into two positions has been completed and awaits final student approval.

Flynn Nisbett, the Political Representative, averaged 9.14 hours against a 10-hour requirement, though his yearly average stands at 11.96 hours. He highlighted the attendance of 300 students at the OUSA Leaders debate and coordinated with four other student associations on fees-free campaigns. Kamesha Jones, the Administrative Vice President, averaged 19.95 hours against a 20-hour requirement and described her workload as connective tissue between the executive, staff, and student purpose.

The executive will continue to serve for the remainder of the year, with several members facing re-election. Zoe Eckhoff, the Residential Representative, averaged 7.83 hours against a 10-hour requirement and plans to finalize the design of a green sticker campaign for student flats by November. Ella-Mary Sangster, the Clubs and Societies Representative, averaged 4.31 hours against a 10-hour requirement, citing medical reasons for shifting some tasks, though she successfully created an informal club calendar.

The next quarterly reports will be submitted by the executive members as they prepare for the upcoming general election. The Otago Daily Times and Critic Te Ārohi have both covered the executive's recent activities, including media appearances regarding hybrid governance and the university bookshop. The group aims to boost student engagement and enrollment in the final months of the term.