Student rebellion falls flat

UCOL student president Jo Hymers has survived a challenge to her presidency, after the majority of students at a stormy meeting voted for her to stay in the top role.

More than 70 UCOL students squeezed into a room on the Palmerston North campus for a special general meeting yesterday, called by a group of Whanganui-based students. The Whanganui students, led by former UCOL student association (AS@U) executive member Shannelle Hawea, were trying to pass a motion for a vote of no confidence in Ms Hymers "due to her conduct whilst in the role of president". But at the emotionally-charged meeting, the majority of attendees voted for Ms Hymers to stay.

Six people, including Ms Hawea, voted to pass the motion of no confidence. As the motion was declined, the rest of the students erupted in cheering and applause. The meeting was chaired by Massey University Extramural Students Society president Ralph Springett. He struggled to keep the proceedings under control at times, as speakers from both sides were buffeted by abuse and accusations. At the beginning, Mr Springett said any issues raised should deal only with the most recent term of Ms Hymer's presidency, in 2009.

Any issues dating back to 2008 were irrelevant, because Ms Hymers had been voted in for a second term, he said. The speaker to the motion was Whanganui student Mike Hills, who was the AS@U Whanganui Vice-president in 2008. "We are coming here to put up our hands and put up a vote of no confidence in the president," he yelled.

"Yes, we are pretty steamed about this." Whanganui students were not being heard, he said. Ms Hymers was only concerned with her own political career, and ridding the AS@U executive of anyone who disagreed with her. As students threw disparaging comments at Mr Hills, he said he couldn't think of anything else relating to the current term of presidency. "In 2009, there was no-one left on the executive who had what it took to stand up to the president." In response, Ms Hymers said the claims against her were "lies". "I've never once tried to get pecuniary gain from my job at AS@U ... I've never once lied, never, I've never done anything that wasn't in good faith." Mr Springett then opened the floor for comments from students.

Brian Sami, a former manager of AS@U, said Ms Hymers was "constantly bullying people" into submission.

"I have absolutely nothing to gain from this.

"The only satisfaction I have is that she is not the president of the association because I've seen the way she runs the place." But current Palmerston North Vice-president Marque Duckmanton said that was ridiculous.

"We all have our individual points of view, and we all make our own decisions. There is no way she could be twisting our arms. I mean who are we? We're not brainwashed." Other students and staff – including some from Whanganui – said Ms Hymers was helpful, approachable, and efficient. In her closing statements, Ms Hymers said she was doing her job to the best of her ability, and was always open to feedback.

Mr Hills said Ms Hymers' conduct was unacceptable, and the group led by himself and Ms Hawea would continue to rail against her presidency. "Free thinkers, use your minds," he said.

Afterwards, Ms Hymers said she had taken some notes away, and would be working on ways to improve Whanganui representation. "It would have been more productive if they had come to AS@U and said there was a problem."

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