Students chill out at toga party
HUNDREDS of white bed sheets, blankets and pillow cases were all that shielded thousands of students from a chilly Dunedin night.
One end of Forsyth Barr Stadium was a sea of white as about 3000 students donned sheets of various shapes and sizes for the Otago University Student Association’s annual toga party.
Despite it being a chilly 11degC outside, the mostly firstyear students seemed to find the area set aside for them more than welcoming.
Medical science student Harry Thorp, of Oamaru, said he had bought the bedsheet he was wearing as a toga so he would have something to sleep in when he got back to his room.
He said he was looking forward to an ‘‘epic’’ night before the serious business of study started next week.
A throng of enthusiastic students had formed outside the entrance by 8pm. They filled in the time until they were allowed to enter with various chants, many aimed at residents of Arana College.
A team of security guards made sure the students abided by the temporary alcohol ban in the stadium surrounds and in nearby Logan Park. There was also a noticeable police presence.
Inside the stadium, St John and Otago University Students’ Association AreYou OK? volunteers were ready to help any students in need.
University of Otago vicechancellor Harlene Hayne watched as the students arrived and even posed for a photo.
A police spokeswoman said that, as of 10.30pm, there had been no arrests or disorder associated with the event but police remained on site as a preventive measure.
OTAGO Polytechnic Students’ Association president Kerry Rushton has some experience as an advocate, and she is bringing that passion to her new role.
Ms Rushton said the polytechnic’s O Week was different from the university’s because of the makeup of its students.
‘‘Something like 60% of ours are mature students. A lot of them are already locals from around Dunedin.’’
Its students largely attended University of Otago Orientation events, although the institution did have a few of its own, including its hub city next Tuesday.
Ms Rushton was pushing for a smoother transition for students finding jobs after study.
She had been meeting Student Job Search as a way to enable this, she said.
Ms Rushton had experience in politics, having run as a New Zealand First candidate for Dunedin South last year.
‘‘The reason why I stood was because I feel the need to be creating good jobs.’’
She has a bachelor’s degree in career counselling.
She was passionate about helping people with disabilities get training and find jobs.
‘‘I saw around South Dunedin people with disabilities being led into poverty. I think just because someone has a disability doesn’t mean they don’t want to work.’’
The student executive wanted to tell all people they could ‘‘follow their dreams and believe in themselves’’, she said.
One of its goals this year was growing its community garden.
It also recently created a food file, from which students could feed themselves when they needed to, rather than going through a food bank.
Activities and volunteers co ordinator Tayla Hohiai said it also included items such as shampoo, soap and ‘‘basic sanitary products’’.
For her a major goal was getting students more involved in the community.
‘‘I want to get people volunteering. Get experience in their field.’’
There was an opportunity with the new student village to get students involved in the university, but the student executive had not figured out how to do that yet, she said.