NEWS

UNWANTED DRAMA FOR THE DRAMA SOCIETY

By Emily Heyward (she/her)

Members of DramaSoc are calling on the UCSA to step up its game and create a better environment for student clubs on campus.

From having to fight for performance space in the Ngaio Marsh Theatre to dealing with moldy storage facilities and broken promises, DramaSoc president Shania Lahina said the club had been facing “roadblocks” at every turn.

She said when it came to securing performance space in the Haere-Roa theatre, the club was up against competition from other clubs, external parties and issues with the booking system.

“It feels like [the UCSA] are not prioritising clubs or student wellbeing,” Lahina said.

For this year’s semester one production, DramaSoc were asked by the UCSA in March to consider moving their May show back a week due to an ‘admin error’ which meant the space had been double-booked.

Yet 24 hours after being asked to consider postponing their show, the club was informed the UCSA was no longer able to accommodate moving the show because it had accepted a new booking request made in that time.

Another time, Lahina said the club had the space booked out for a week, but a day before its dress rehearsal, was told by the UCSA the space was needed for another club event.

“All our set was still on stage, so we had to go early, pack it all away ... And in the mess, we lost items from cast, there were things left on stage that were damaged,” she said.

The club president said the UCSA had also promised to help the club find a new storage space for its costumes and stage props which were sitting in a leaky shipping container, but nothing came of it. DramaSoc treasurer Kristen Truman said meanwhile the club was having to purchase new costumes and props to replace what was in the container as there was “mold everywhere”.

“A lot of our budget ends up going to costuming and props and set because if we store anything in the container (which we only have half use of), it will be destroyed by the time the next show rolls around,” she said.

The pair said the constant setbacks and issues had been “frustrating”.

“It always just feels like the UCSA isn’t on our side and there are many times when we have really felt that disconnect where we have been on campus for a really long time, but it doesn’t feel like we’re welcomed on campus or celebrated,” Lahina said.

UCSA president Kim Fowler said clubs were at the “heart of what we do at the UCSA” and was open to working through concerns clubs were having.

“I completely understand that this is a source of frustration for clubs, and really do wish that the space could be more available, but unfortunately there are a lot of conflicts for booking the Ngaio Marsh Theatre, which was designed to be operated as a multi-purpose space, not just a theatre.”

Fowler said external bookings had never taken priority over clubs during term time. However, in the holidays it was “first come, first served” as the UCSA was working to pay off its debt on the building and making money on external bookings helped.

DramaSoc’s production of ‘Love and Information’ was held on May 14 and 15.

NEWS

BREAK-INS LEAVING STUDENTS ON EDGE

By Emily Heyward (she/her)

UC student Kayla Gush has been feeling “on edge” after a stranger climbed through her apartment window in the middle of the night.

Gush and her partner awoke one morning in March to find that someone had been inside their studio in Ilam and had stolen personal belongings as they slept.

“We had someone climb in through a window while we were asleep and take my e-scooter and also took the time to take the charger which was tucked behind a dresser and also took my partner’s wallet and went on a spending spree the next day.”

Gush said the incident left her “in shock”.

“I had a bit of a cry. It just felt like such a huge violation, and all these thoughts of what if they decided to come into our bedroom ran through my head.”

While Police offered the pair Victim Support, Gush said the ordeal had left her feeling unsettled.

“It’s definitely put me more on edge; I’m home alone some nights, so I draw the curtains and triple check the window.”

And the couple were not the only ones feeling on edge in their flats in the Ilam-Riccarton area.

In an online survey of students on the UCSA noticeboard, more than 70 students reported feeling unsafe when home alone in their flats across Ilam-Riccarton. More than 80 students said their flat had been broken into this year, with about 120 students saying they had seen someone scoping out their place. Canterbury District risk and performance manager senior sergeant Richard Chambers said Police were noticing a rise in burglaries in the area.

“Police are aware of a spike in the Upper Riccarton, Wharenui and Ilam areas for burglary. However, it appears commercial premises are being targeted as opposed to residential properties.”

He said burglaries at residential properties had “slightly increased over time” but were not significantly higher than in previous years.

However, Chambers emphasised the importance of students remaining vigilant and ensuring they were keeping their flats secure.

“Students should also take the time to ensure their flat is locked when no one is home and that each flatmate has a key.

“We receive several reports of burglaries where a flat has been left unlocked either as an oversight or on purpose because someone does not actually have a key to get back inside,” he said.

Chambers was also encouraging students to ensure their bikes were being locked up at home and at uni or workplaces, as they had become the latest target for thieves across the city.

Police were urging students to report any matters of concern as soon as possible, either by calling 111 in an emergency or 105 in non-emergency situations.

BY-ELECTION SEES NEW FINANCE AND ENGAGEMENT OFFICER APPOINTED

Jennifer Berry has been elected the UCSA’s finance and engagement officer, replacing Henry Wynn-Williams, who left the position suddenly last term.

Emily Heyward talked to the third-year mechanical engineering student about the by-election results and her plans for the rest of the year.

How did you feel when the results were announced?

Like everyone else there, my heart was definitely racing. The four of us running were all so passionate about the role, and each paired this with experience and ideas that would have meant a swift and powerful performance in the role - so it was definitely relieving that either way, the role would be in great hands. When it was my name that was read out, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the trust placed in me by the student body and excitement to get stuck in - I won’t let you down.

Why did you apply for the position?

It came as a bit of a shock to realise that so many people had little idea what the UCSA does or even that there was a byelection coming up. This was one of the main drivers. I want to be part of facilitating an alignment between the students, staff and the UCSA. I hope to help solidify the UCSA’s place as more than a distant entity, but rather a reflection of every student. It is so exciting to be able to achieve this and provoke positive development through connecting, engaging and communicating with the community. What do you think will be the biggest challenge?

I think the biggest challenge will exist after gaining input from the UC community about what they want to change. I can see it’s easy to get excited and try to fix everything, but I believe it will be key to successfully focusing on a few key things to smash out.

What can students expect to see from you? What do you hope to achieve in the role?

I plan to hit the ground running to minimise disruption and ensure support to current projects initiated by the UCSA and invest time into meaningful communication to you all. It can be boring to read through large chunks of text, and I know most people don’t have the time or interest, but it’s important to me to connect with a wide range of hectic student lives. I hope to communicate through short videos and polls alongside the detailed write-ups. I want to be actively transparent!

I also hope to work on engagement with the club event calendar. Many have spoken up regarding difficulty gaining similar levels of interest in events as previous years. Club culture is such a powerful and unique experience here at UC, so re-empowering it is such an important responsibility I plan to take on!

What do you want students to know about you?

I’m ALWAYS keen for a yarn! Flick me a message on FB, come up to me around campus or flick me an email to catch up for a coffee. I really want to hear about your experiences and ideas for the UCSA.