What did OPSA ever do for you?
OPSA is your voice and makes many gains for students ranging from new services at the Polytechnic, to better deals for students from local or national government.
Interest-free Student-loans
Student loans used to get interest charged every year on your loan. However, due to a persistent pro-education campaign by NZUSA and its members, including OPSA, interest was removed from student loans and has not been returned since.
Student Discounts
OPSA continues to negotiate student discounts throughout the region.
Free Flu Shots
Flu shots are now free for all students at OP thanks to OPSA’s lobbying.
Increased Accommodation Benefit for Wanaka Students
Students located in Wanaka were receiving a Dunedin rate for accommodation benefit – some were living in garages as they couldn’t afford rent. Thanks to some lobbying from OPSA their accommodation benefit was increased – back-paid, and with an apology.
Extra Rubbish Collection in Dunedin North
Due to the above average population density living in Dunedin North extra rubbish collections is needed at peak times of the year. OPSA & OUSA worked with the DCC to have extra collections, and free skips at Orientation and at the end of the year.
Free Student Health & Counselling Visits
OPSA has consistently fought suggestions of introducing a user-charge to Student Health & counselling.
Bus Route Changes to Better Suit Students
Before lobbying from students’ associations Dunedin’s bus routes did not include the campus area. Bus shelters were largely absent from the OP campus area until OPSA lobbied for them.
Student Assistance Fund
OPSA was instrumental in the budgeting for OP’s Student Assistance Fund, and still helps administer it.
Pedestrian Crossings around Campus
The Dunedin campus did not have pedestrian crossings until students pointed out this oversight.
Fee Refund Period Extended
If you withdrew from your course the period where you could get a refund on your fees used to be really short. It’s longer now thanks to OPSA’s influence.
Student Council
When student representation was removed from all polytechnic councils around the country, OPSA worked with OP to establish a student council to ensure students’ voices were not lost at OP’s highest level.
Cycle-racks, Poho & Pasifika Rooms, microwaves, fridges etc
OPSA has supported initiatives for such facilities to be available on the campus.
Community Services Cards for Students
When Community Services Cards were introduced students were not eligible! However, due to lobbying from the national student bodies, including OPSA, this was reversed and students now have access to Community Services Cards.
New UNIPOL
OPSA was a key player in developing the new UNIPOL recreation center into a student focused facility.
Compulsory Smoke Alarms
For over a decade OPSA was one of many organisations calling for smoke alarms to be made compulsory in rental accommodation. As of July 2016 smoke alarms must be installed in all rentals.