University limits candidates’ access

The University of Otago will allow election candidates to visit its residential halls by invitation only.

University accommodation services director James Lindsay said he had received a “steady stream” of requests from politicians wanting to campaign on campus.

It was not appropriate to have candidates coming without invitation into what was effectively a students’ living room.

If the colleges are the students’ living rooms, shouldn’t they be making the decision and not the University?

National Party Dunedin North candidate Mike Woodhouse questioned whether those who were not politically affiliated and wanted to speak at a college would have greater access. He was disappointed, especially given the reception he had received at colleges not owned by the university, he said.

It was concerning that universities, traditionally the cradle of political activism, had become areas of high political apathy, he said.

Mr Lindsay said candidates were welcome to attend a college by invitation… All candidates would be given the same answer, regardless of party or parliamentary status.

Students and individual colleges have the right to turn down requests to visit by candidates.

But the University is making a blanket decision on the colleges’ behalf. That’s like a landlord deciding who can enter his/her properties on behalf of tennants in which case the University appears to be confusing the roles of governance/ownership and management.