'Mourners' gather for MUSA

SAM BAKER/The Manawatu Standard

FINAL FAREWELL: Students mourn MUSA yesterday as a protest against making student association membership voluntary. Pallbearers, from left, Teresa Reichenbaugh, Jess Robertson, Aaron Gilmour, Rachel Thomas, Rebekah Ingram and Steven Christodoulou. Vice-President of Welfare Amber Molloy, far right, addresses the crowd.

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Mourners flocked to a mock funeral at Massey University as a protest against voluntary student association membership.

MUSA representatives yesterday rallied support for the campaign against the Freedom of Association (Education) Amendment Bill, which proposes making student association levies voluntary.

The bill has gained support from Student Choice, a lobby group that argues freedom to join will make student associations more accountable.

But MUSA vice-president Cassie Rowe said voluntary levies would cut revenue and threaten student life.

"[Students] are going to lose unbiased advocacy and representation.

Massey students carried a casket across campus and read a eulogy in front of more than 100 people.

The parody attracted mixed responses from students. Some said MUSA was vital for student life while others had no idea what support it provided.

About half of MUSA's running costs is covered by the $142 student levy, amounting to $870,000. The money supports student radio, advocacy, student representation, clubs, events, Chaff newspaper and staff wages.

Acting visibly aggrieved, MUSA vice-president Cassie Rowe told the crowd students' lives had been touched by MUSA.

Student Choice is fighting a counter-campaign in support of the Freedom of Association Bill.

Spokesperson Lauren Brazier said legislation wasn't trying to close student associations, but remove wasteful spending and mismanagement.

No other groups forced membership, Miss Brazier said.

But Miss Rowe said students would foot a higher cost if the legislation was introduced.

Submissions on the Freedom of Association (Education) Amendment Bill close on March 31.

See Student Choice: freeme.org.nz or MUSA campaign: saveourservices.org.nz/masseypalmy.

- © Fairfax NZ News