What You Need to Know
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about the proposal, why we oppose it, and how you can help stop it.
What is this proposal?
VUWSA wants to take control of non-sports clubs and societies away from University Recreation Wellington (UniRec), which has successfully managed them since 2012. Sports clubs would conveniently remain with UniRec. VUWSA has tried this before in 2018 and 2023, and both times the University turned it down.
Is the current system not working?
The current system is not broken. It works. The number of clubs at Victoria University has doubled in the last two years under UniRec's administration. That is not a sign of a system in crisis. That is a sign of a system succeeding. If there are growing pains, the obvious and far less risky solution is to hire more staff at UniRec to meet demand. That option has not even been tried. Instead, VUWSA is proposing to rip the entire system out and hand it to an organisation that already failed at this job once.
Why did VUWSA give up club administration in the first place?
Because it could not afford to do it. After the Voluntary Student Membership Bill cut funding in 2011, VUWSA handed clubs to the University in 2012. VUWSA is still the least funded students' association in New Zealand. Nothing has changed.
Who is funding this campaign?
Us. The students behind this campaign pay for it ourselves. We have not sought or accepted outside funding from anyone, and we never will. The costs are minimal because we do everything ourselves. No agencies, no consultants, no professional services. Just students who saw a bad proposal and decided to do something about it.
Why does it matter who administers student clubs?
Clubs administered by the University carry its name and reputation. That shapes how employers, funding bodies, and external organisations view them. The moment clubs are run by a students' association instead, that credibility disappears. It is not something you get back easily.
What is wrong with the current proposal?
Almost everything. It splits responsibility between two organisations for no good reason. Sports clubs stay with UniRec, everyone else gets moved to VUWSA. Two sets of staff, two sets of processes, twice the opportunity for things to go wrong. It is a half-measure that creates more problems than it claims to solve.
What is VUWSA actually offering?
A centralised social media presence for clubs and an additional $50,000 grant. On the surface that sounds like a sweetener. But VUWSA is also planning to tighten the criteria for club funding, making it harder for clubs to access money they can currently get. And a social media page run by VUWSA promoting your club is not worth the tradeoffs. These are minor perks being used to justify a massive structural change that no one asked for. If VUWSA wants to promote clubs on social media or offer additional grants, it can do that right now without taking over administration. None of this requires stripping clubs away from the University.
Are clubs not already well supported?
Clubs at VUW are thriving. The number of clubs has doubled in the last two years under UniRec. If more support is needed, the obvious answer is more staff at UniRec. Not a risky handover to an association that already proved it could not do the job.
What is Save Our Club asking for?
We are asking both Victoria University of Wellington and VUWSA to drop this proposal entirely. Club administration belongs with the University. It has always belonged with the University. There is no version of this proposal that is better for students than what already exists.
Who is behind this campaign?
Save Our Club is a campaign run by students at Victoria University of Wellington who oppose this proposal. It is not affiliated with any single club.
How can I help?
Sign the petition as an individual, or if you represent a club, sign with authority on behalf of your club. Share the campaign with fellow students and encourage others to add their voice. The more signatures we have, the harder this is to ignore.
Can my club sign the petition?
Yes. Any club currently administered by Victoria University of Wellington can sign. You should have a clear mandate from your members before signing on their behalf.
Has the proposal been officially announced?
Yes, but very quietly. Read these articles from the Salient:
https://www.salient.org.nz/post/vuwsa-wants-clubs-and-societies-to-come-back-home
https://www.salient.org.nz/post/students-return-but-campus-culture-lags-behind
Who will the petition be delivered to?
The petition will be delivered directly to Victoria University of Wellington and VUWSA.