University and OUSA Oppose Delay to Tertiary Precinct Upgrade critic.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from critic.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Friday, April 16, 5pm
No sounds could be heard, not even a yeet.
Everyone seemed to be tucked away in their flats, gearing up for the annual Hyde Street Keg Party. This year’s party was highly anticipated, with many hoping to make up for last year s missed experience (thanks Covid).
The echoes of security guards putting up metal fencing was one of the few sounds to be heard, setting the boundaries for the drunken debauchery about to take place. There was a singular staff member standing outside of Leith Liquor, waiting to check IDs as people trickled in, getting last minute drinks for the big day ahead while Hyde residents were moved their cars, boarded up their windows and finished up last minute cleaning.
Lego men, Peaky Blinders and nuns party on Hyde St stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
However, themes chosen by each flat at the ticket-only venue have attracted scrutiny. OUSA president Michaela Waite-Harvey said the executive made the decision not to post themes to the official event page. That decision came after some complaints were received regarding those considered “inappropriate for a costume party’’. A list of those themes shows some flats had gone with similar themes to previous street parties, with many containing the word ‘’hoes’’.
Richard Davison/Supplied
Early morning revellers enjoy the Otago University Students Association (OUSA) Hyde Street Party in 2016. Waite-Harvey said flats with offensive theme had been contacted, and all had made the decision to change.
In other words, the University actually responded to student opinion
The University initially refused to allow an on-campus food fundraiser for activists in Myanmar, but reversed its decision after a “strongly-worded email” from OUSA President Michaela Waite-Harvey.
The fundraising Burmese students were shocked when Property Services said their food stall could not operate within University grounds because it would “interfere too much with commercial outlets who pay to be on campus”.
The students reached out to OUSA, who then got in touch with Property Services about the fundraising ban. “This was an example of an unfair and outdated policy and I am very thankful for how quickly property services have worked with us to not only approve a fundraising food stall for the Burmese students but also that we have now committed to sit down and review the policy to allow more students to fundraise outside the union building,” said Michaela.