News
Feral freshers frantically flock to filthy flats. Fuckers. Imogen Whyte
discouraged first-years from searching for flats
S
too early, citing an increase in demand for flats
on the market. OUSA president Logan Edgar says the sale
econd-year students living in the
as a factor in landlords’ unreasonable rent hikes.
of flats is probably due to supply outstripping
scarfie quarter have reportedly been
It seems that this demand is only being felt by
demand and that, “because there were more
stalked by first-year students declaring
a limited number of landlords, with more flats
vacant flats for longer, this year would be a
their love for flats such as “the Cuntry Club”,
than usual up for sale this year. This increase
really good opportunity to tilt the balance the
“The Eight Man” and “the Piss Stain” and seek-
is believed to have been partly fuelled by land-
other way in favour of students.Wouldn’t it be
ing tours as the annual freshers attempt to lock
lords whose flats have remained vacant through
amazing if this was the year landlords knocked
down their second year accomodation as early
January, February and March, with a handful
$20 off the rent per room, because students held
as possible.
still vacant last week.
the negotiating power?”
Critic has heard rumours that the Proctor’s
Students usually start signing up for
With first-years heading to Castle Street in
office has been inundated with cases of first-
flats towards the end of the year, and agree to
droves to stake their claims on flats, this $20
year students called in for harrassing inhabit-
year-long leases from January 1. However the
reduction in rent has little chance on succeeding
ants of the Castle Street area while they sit down
small but significant number of flats that have
in North Dunedin. However, Edgar continues to
to watch The GC with a bowl of Mie Goreng.
remained vacant has left a number of landlords
hold out hopes for Corstophine, Kaikorai Valley
Masters of University halls and Otago Uni-
unable to cope with the unexpected loss of
and Pine Hill.
versity Students’ Association campaigns have
income, forcing them to put their properties
Upstart seeks token student for “diversity” White, middle class males encouraged to apply Claudia Herron
by University of Otago Vice Chancellor Harlene
would likely become the youngest sitting
Haynes when she was on the board. Silvey
member. Silvey maintained this would in
Upstart Business Incubator last week
remarked that students’ entrepreneurial talent
no way be a disadvantage. “[The successful
announced the opportunity for a student to
makes them a key stakeholder for Upstart.
applicant] will receive top-notch mentoring
join its Institute of Directors. The successful
“Gone are the days when board members have
and support, and the experience will look great
applicant will undertake the directorship for 12
to be grey haired and reaching the end of their
on the CV of someone who wants to kickstart a
months and “bring the voice of the student to
careers. Now it’s about ability and diversity of
career in governance.”
boardroom discussions,” according to Upstart
perspectives.”
chief executive Steve Silvey.
Interested students from either the University The current board consists of senior representa-
of Otago or Otago Polytechnic can apply online
The idea of incorporating a student representa-
tives from the University, the Polytechnic and
on Upstart’s website (www.upstart.org.nz) until
tive onto Upstart’s board was originally raised
the City Council, meaning the student selected
8 June.
Critic Issue 11
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