During your studies at OP you may need advice in understanding Polytechnic policies and procedures as well as active support regarding your rights and responsibilities or other concerns.

OPSA has professional and dedicated staff responsible for ensuring that student concerns are raised and handled in a non-judgmental manner and to achieve a resolution acceptable to the student wherever possible.

If you need information on how the Polytechnic operates or who you should speak to about particular issues, we can help you. See below.

 

Why have a Students’ Association?

Complaints & Advocacy: As well as offering services and facilities, OPSA is here to help stand up for your rights when you need specific advocacy or have a complaint. A students' association is an insurance policy that there will always be someone to help you when you need.

Representation: OPSA is also here to make sure these rights exist in the first place, and that complaints are seldom necessary, by representing your opinion and needs so they have an influence over local and national decision-making: Without students’ associations tertiary fees could be increased 100% more than they have, interest-free on loans would never have be implemented, your tutors could demand all your assignments in the same week, Student Health would not be free, you could have 4 exams over 2 days...

Really it is about having someone representing you, keeping an eye on policies and decision-making to protect your rights, so you can spend time focusing on your studies (and your social life).

 

Advocacy

OPSA is ready to help you with guidance and support, or even act on your behalf, in preparing cases for Disputes over Grades or Assessment, Plagiarism, Disciplinary action and other Hearings and Appeals at OP, and issues with your Landlord.

Contact the OPSA President, Assoc. Services Officer, or Assoc. Manager, or ring them on 477-6974, or 0800-762-786, extension 8332.

OP Student Disapline Regulations

OP Cheating & Plagiaism Policy

OP Impaired Performance/Aegrotat policy

OP Academic Appeal Process for Students

 

Complaints

Students who are experiencing personal or course related problems are welcome to approach the OPSA President, Assoc. Services Officer, or Assoc. Manager, who can offer advice and support, or act on behalf of students. Ring them on 477-6974, or 0800-762-786, extension 8332. Check out students' rights and responsibilities.

OP Resolution of Student Complaints Policy

OP Academic Appeal Process for Students

 

Harassment & Bullying

You have the right to enjoy your time at OP without being made uncomfortable about your age, gender, race, religion, or sexuality. If you think you are experiencing harassment from another student or a staff member, contact Lesley Scoullar or Mark Baxter, ring them on 477-6974, or 0800-762-786, extension 8332.

OP Harassment and Bullying Prevention Policy

 

Landlord issues

Check out your rights and responsibilities under Residential Tenancies Act, OPSA can help you with this.

Talk to your landlord about what’s wrong and say what a good solution might be. If that doesn't work send the landlord a letter. If that doesn't work contact Tennancy Services they may be able to help, or you can take the issue to mediation. If the dispute is not resolved by mediation, then you can have the matter referred to the Tenancy Tribunal. If the mediator or Tribunal make an order that the other party does not meet, there are steps to take to enforce an order.

OPSA is here to assist you at any stage of the above process.

Tenancy Services "Sorting out problems"

 

Representation

OPSA is constantly keeping an eye on policies and having a say in decision-making to protect your rights and needs:

National Representation
On a national level OPSA works with other polytechnics & universities to represent the common and collective concerns of students; eg better living standards and student debt. OPSA is affiliated to NZUSA, which is the largest student body in the country, representing students at universities, polytechnics and colleges.

NZUSA represents students nationally in many ways, including:
• Making sure that a student voice is heard by decision makers
• Researching the effects of policies that affect students and graduates
• Helping to run Student Job Search and other student services

NZUSA has a partnership with the national Maaori student body – Te Mana Akonga.

Local Representation
OPSA provides representation from the Polytech Council to your classroom. This is provided through OPSA representitives sitting on or working with various Polytechnic committees and boards, right down to class level with your Class Rep. This means that someone is keeping an eye out for policies that effect you as a student. It also means you have a voice when such decisions are being made.

OPSA also works with the Dunedin City Council, and other local bodies, to represent students' needs and views. OPSA makes regular submissions to the DCC and other bodies, and sits on various working parties and committees to ensure a student perspective and concerns are not neglected.

Class Representatives
Each class should have at least one Class Rep. Class Reps can be your first point of call with a complaint or problem. If you need to know who your class rep is contact the Assoc. Manager at OPSA.

An essential part of OPSA is the Student Reps, students who choose to get involved in making a difference. Being a Student Rep only requires a few hours of your time each semester and gives you valuable experience in committee work, problem solving, communication, mediation/negotiation. To become a Student Rep, contact the Assoc. Manager.

OPSA President
The President is usually a full-time paid position - the role is to oversee and facilitate the Executive Committee, and represent students on various Polytech boards and committees including the Polytech Council. Any student can stand for President. Contact the Assoc. Manager for more information.

You are welcome and encouraged to contact the President with any questions, complaints, or sugestions you may have about OP or student life in general.

OPSA Executive Committee
The OPSA Executive Committee is the governing body of OPSA and controls the services and direction of the Students’ Association by setting policy and budgets. The Exec consists of up to 16 office holders (including the President). Any OP student can stand for Exec, elections are at the AGM, usually held in March each year. Contact the Assoc. Manager for more information.

You can find details about the current Executive are on the OPSA People page.

AGM
OPSA holds an Annual General Meeting each year to elect its Executive Committee and to form student opinion. This is also an opportunity to discuss problems ideas and suggestions - or even volunteer to help out - with the Exec or staff any time of the year. For more information, contact the Assoc. Manager at OPSA.

 

Other Support & Complaints

OPSA is also here to assist with support and advocacy for your external complaints (especially if it is affecting your study), or link you up with someone who can.

OP Counselling Service :: OP Chaplain
Free Legal Advice :: Trade Unions :: YouthLaw
Employment Relations :: Immigration Service :: Tenancy Services
Electricity & Gas Complaints :: Human Rights Commission Consummer Information :: Complaints against Police
Enviromental Complaints :: Ministry of Education Complaints

Ombudsman (complaints about all government agencies)
Freephone 0800-802-602
The Education Ombudsman visits OP campus regularly,
ask OPSA for details.

 

Financial Support

OPSA also manages financial support for hardship or special projects.