NEWS
STUDENTS MARCH FOR BASIC RIGHTS LET US GO HOME By Sophie Boot More than 300 students marched along the Boyd-Wilson path last Tuesday in response to recent sexual attacks on the path. The ‘Let Me Go Home’ march was organised by VUWSA, the Women’s Group and Youth for UN Women. Students carried signs and chanted slogans like, “1, 2, 3, 4, we won’t take it anymore,” and, “When women’s rights are under attack, stand up, fight back.” The march comes after two women were sexually attacked on the path in 24 hours over Easter. Another woman was attacked two weeks prior, and women have reported the path as being unsafe and not well lit as far back as 2010. Students marched from outside the Hub, down the length of the path past the Boyd-Wilson Field to the Aro Valley Community Centre, where a forum was held. The forum included speakers from the University and Women’s Group, as well as local MPs Grant Robertson and Jan Logie. Workshops were also run, with attendants splitting up to identify areas they felt were unsafe in their own suburbs, and possible solutions. Students called for more frequent and later bus services to campus,
FOR VBC TBC
and an education campaign about consent and rape culture. Wellington Central’s MP, Grant Robertson, said that the University had a responsibility to ensure safety on the Boyd-Wilson path as it had built Te Puni Village, a first-year hostel of 400 students, next to the path. He also said that men should take responsibility for rape culture, and should intervene when they saw other men acting in an unacceptable manner. Jenny Bentley, Director of Campus Services at the University, said the University would continue to work with students, the City Council and Police to improve safety around campus. VUWSA President Sonya Clark said that another meeting would be held in about a month to discuss the findings of the forum. Clark earlier said that “while the physical environment does not cause rape, infrastructural improvements are a crucial part of making people feel safer in their communities.” “The response so far shows that this is an issue that students are concerned about, and more action is needed.”
More emphasis would be put on the online streaming function, and podcasts would be introduced. They want to discuss a collaboration with Radio New Zealand and By Emma Hurley partner with local high schools to give their students opportunities to VUWSA is regaining control of Victoria’s student radio, and the earn NCEA credits at the station. The proposal will be reviewed by the VUWSA Publications Salient Editors want it to become part of Salient. Committee, once VUWSA has officially taken control of the station. VUWSA President Sonya Clark has been made a trustee of the Salient has covered the VBC over the past few years, reporting on its VBC (Victoria Broadcasting Club), and control will be transferred to limited listenership and difficulties with management and finance. VUWSA from the soon-to-be-deregistered Victoria Broadcasting Trust. In VUWSA’s 2013 referendum, students voted to keep funding the The VBC owes around $3000 of IRD debt, but Clark says this is a station. “small price to pay” for VUWSA regaining control of the station. Most students listen online, and in 2012 The Editors, Cam Price and Duncan the VBC’s peak audience was 33 listeners. The McLachlan, have proposed that the VBC streaming service currently has capacity for be renamed SalientFM and become part of 250 listeners. In 2012, the station’s peak Salient, who would hire and pay a station Massey University’s Radio Control has an audience was 33 listeners. manager. estimated listenership of 6000. They say this would make the station’s Former VBC Station Manager Rhys 2013 VUWSA referendum saw 61 governance accountable and “streamline Morgan said last year that “apart from me per cent of votes in favour of student media, allowing Salient to provide a getting paid, nothing is being invested in the continuing to fund the VBC. cross-platform student-media experience.” station… The receptionist [at VUWSA] won’t Advertising revenue would be “vastly even play us.” 2014: $130,000 funding for increased with the ability to offer advertising The VBC’s studio is in the Student Union student media; $16,306.58 packages which are spread out across the Building, behind The Hunter Lounge and went to the VBC. different mediums”. beside Salient. Students can listen at vbc.org. Salient could offer a print magazine, website, nz or 88.3FM. SalientTV and SalientFM.
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the money issue