Auckland Student Movement
AuSM (Auckland Student Movement @ AUT) is the Students' association for students at the Auckland University of Technology, in Auckland, New Zealand.
Every student attending a course run by AUT University is a member of AuSM. AuSM’s primary function is to promote and maintain the rights and welfare of students. The association also works alongside the administration and management of AUT to guarantee student input into all areas of operation.
AuSM also provides a wide range of services for its members including assignment binding, student diary, internet and printing top-ups, lost property, Student Job Search, discounted transport, cheap phone cards and movie tickets, wallplanner and food bank.
Mission statement
"The Auckland Student Movement exists to provide a support network for its members, to be their voice at all levels and provide services to improve the quality of student life at Auckland University of Technology."[1]
Executive Council
The 2014 AuSM Executive Council is composed of:
- President - April Pokino
- Vice-President - Urshula Ansell
Office Holders
- Maori Affairs Officer - KJ Manuel
- Pasifika Affairs Officer -Suavi Tuilaepa
- International Affairs Officer - Ravichandra
- Disability Affairs Officer - Jordon Milroy
- Postgraduate Students Officer - Anbuselvan Pungiah
Faculty Reps
- Business and Law Faculty Representative - Kahutia Maxwell
- Design and Creative Technologies Faculty Representative - Ashleigh Dunston
- Health and Environmental Sciences Faculty Representative - Matt Campbell
- Culture and Society Faculty Representative - Joshua Tupene
- Te Ara Poutama Faculty Representative - Eruini Paranihi
Campus Reps
- City Campus Representative - Charanya Mohanakrishnan
- North Shore Campus Representative - Christopher Dixon
- South Campus Representative - Gina-Maree Makiha
Debate Magazine and student media
AuSM provides a weekly student magazine called Debate.[2] The magazine is produced by a full-time editor and a team of student contributors. The magazine features news, views, cartoons, feature articles and columns.
Debate has been recognised by the Aotearoa Student Press Association Awards in 2005 "Best Small Publication" (Rebecca Williams, editor) and 2009 "Best Humourist" (Ryan Boyd, editor) and "Best Original Photography" (Clinton Cardozo, designer).
The current editor is Matthew Cattin, an ex-AUT student and our graphic designer is Ramina Rai .
AuSM also produces an annual student diary distributed to all AUT staff and students free of charge, maintains a website, Twitter, AuSM Connect APP, produces information booklets and wallplanners and communicates with students through social networks.
Clubs
AuSM supports more than 40 affiliated clubs[3] within AUT. These include cultural, faculty, religious, social and sport clubs organised by students.
Vesbar
Vesbar[4] is owned and operated by AuSM for its students. Vesbar is opened during the semester weeks of university, excluding summer school.
Vesbar also the venue to many functions including hypnotist shows, and the rock, paper, scissors national competition.[5]
Vesbar's current manager is Zane Chase.
AuSM Sports
A range of competitions, national events and social sessions are organised throughout the year that cater for all levels of fitness.
AuSM recently sponsored the AUT Titans bid for Gold at Australian University Games 2009. AuSM sports coordinator Melita Martorana took a badminton, netball and touch rugby team to Surfers Paradise for the event. The Titans won Gold in netball and touch.
Other sporting events include University Games, AUT Rugby Sevens, Snow Games and Tertiary Challenge. AuSM also provides support to AUT athletes competing at an international level and recognises top achievers at the annual AUT Blues Awards.
AuSM Lodge
The AuSM lodge is based in Tongariro National Park. The lodge accommodates up to 12 people and is available to AuSM members from $160 per night for up to 12 people.
AuSM Events
AuSM organises a range of events on campus throughout the year including concerts, comedy shows, live DJs, dance parties, the annual Orientation Festival and much more.
Problem Solving
The AuSM Liaison Team provide advice to students with academic grievances, grade appeals, harassment issues.
Free Feeds
AuSM provides a free feed for students every academic week across 3 campuses, City campus, North Shore campus and South campus.. Free feeds include hot lunch and vegetarian option with fruit and condiments. Each week, AuSM dishes out more than 1000 servings to students.
Past Student Presidents
2013 - Kizito Essuman
2012 - Kizito Essuman
2011 - Veronica Ng Lam
2010 - Veronica Ng Lam
2009 - Andre D'cruz
2008 - Jan Herman
2007 - Jan Herman
Other stuff
AuSM ensures that student views are represented within all levels of AUT to ensure the university puts students (not business) at the heart of decision making. AuSM representatives sit on various committees, focus groups and boards to speak out on behalf of 24,000 AuSM members.