Waikato Students' Union

The Waikato Students’ Union (WSU) is an incorporated society and a member of the New Zealand University Students’ Association (NZUSA). It is governed by an elected executive, who take care of the day-to-day business of representing its members’ interests to the University and the wider community and promoting educational, social, cultural, and sporting life on campus.

Academic Representation and Support
The WSU represents its members’ academic interests by working with the University on such key committees as the University Council, Finance Committee and the Academic Board. At a national level, students’ interests are represented by NZUSA, which is concerned with Student Job Search, government policy on user-pays education, the student loan scheme, and other issues affecting members. The WSU is also a member of the national sporting body University Sports New Zealand.

The WSU provides various scholarships like the WSU Scholarship for cultural contribution and the John Houston Memorial Scholarship for academic/cultural contribution. The union also has a small fund to help students whose attendance at university is threatened by financial hardship.

Advocacy
The WSU has an Advocacy Service that provides professional and confidential assistance free to members. The service deals with problems ranging from academic and financial troubles to employment, tenancy and accommodation difficulties.

Other Activities and Services
The WSU represents its members’ sporting, cultural, political, religious and ethnic interests by providing services for clubs and help to members wanting to set up or join a club. Affiliated clubs can apply for grants for a project or to run an event. Campus Movies has regular screenings of recently released movies and the occasional film festival. The union publishes a weekly magazine, Nexus, and a free student diary and wall planner. It also provides other services such as a telephone for free local calls, a discount bus service and discount cards for students. Through sponsorship, the union helps students to participate in specific events including the New Zealand University Games and Blues Awards.

The WSU organises Orientation Week at the beginning of A and B semesters to welcome new students on campus. The WSU also promotes and coordinates a range of events and activities including open forums on current and contentious issues.

Through a joint venture with the University, the WSU owns a 50% stake in Campus Services Ltd (CSL), which controls the Uni Rec Centre and Campus Pools.

The WSU is situated in the Student Union Building (SUB). Office hours are 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. More information can be found on the WSU website: http://www.wsu.org.nz, or email wsu@wsu.org.nz.