15 March 2021
Torven Schalk
By email: [FYI request #14689 email]
Tēnā koe Torven
Official information request regarding the use of the student services levy
I refer to your request for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act)
dated 15 February
2021:
1.
I would like to know the total amount of levys you collected from students
in the last year
2.
for which exact services did you contract VUWSA from these levys
3.
how much did you pay to VUWSA, please include the contracts with
VUWSA
4.
what measures are in place to ascertain what VUWSA uses these funds
for
5.
do you provide any additional funds or non-monetary benefits to VUWSA
or VUWSA events such as o-week (e.g. spaces/locations), and for how
much do you provide these
I have numbered your requests for ease of response.
1.
I would like to know the total amount of levys you collected from students in the
last year
In 2020 the Student Service Levy revenue was $13,918,981 (GST exclusive).
2.
for which exact services did you contract VUWSA from these levys
The University has a contract for services with VUWSA to support:
•
Class representative services;
•
Faculty Delegate Services;
•
Advocacy Services;
•
Clubs;
•
Engagement and life on campus
•
Welfare and volunteers including volunteer support for Victoria University
of Wellington provision of flu shots, providing a community pantry food
parcel service, stress free study week;
•
Supporting the Post Graduate Student Association
•
Promoting safe spaces and future proofing though initiatives such as sex
week and sustainability week
•
Orientation and events; and
•
Student media – Salient magazine and podcasts.
3.
how much did you pay to VUWSA, please include the contracts with VUWSA
The 2020 contract for services with VUWSA was $945,000 plus an additional $11,519 for
student Assembly consultation.
4.
what measures are in place to ascertain what VUWSA uses these funds for
A range of measures are used to verify appropriate use of funds including quarterly
reporting against key performance indicators, financial reports using reporting categories
provided in Ministerial Directives, and annual audited reports. Dispersion of funds is
dependent on meeting prior reporting requirements.
5.
do you provide any additional funds or non-monetary benefits to VUWSA or
VUWSA events such as o-week (e.g. spaces/locations), and for how much do you
provide these
Additional support is provided to VUWSA in the form of assistance with events such as
cleaning services, use of space for events, additional external security for events
(approximately $6,400), internal security resources to assist with planning and
preparation of events (approximate value $12,000), provision of food during Orientation
Week events to reduce risk of intoxication ($907.45); and contributions from the
University’s Hardship Fund for food costs during Stress Free Study Week (was not used
in 2020). The University also has an agreement with VUWSA to share carparking revenue
($57,770.48 in 2020).
Further information about the Student Services Levy is available in the Student Services
levy Year End Annual Report. The 2019 report is available at:
https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/231454/levy-report.pdf
The 2020 report is currently being completed and will be available shortly.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this
decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact me at
[VUW request email]. Ngā mihi nui
Blair Doherty
Senior Advisor, Official Information and Privacy
Legal Services
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
