Columns

The Takeover

Hi all, and welcome to the last Canta column of the year!

This is my last column, but as I still have a few months to go in the role, and because I am not prone to emotional outbursts, I would only like to say a very brief thanks for what has been a fantastic year. Special thanks to the UCSA Exec, especially Rach and Moss, and to all UCSA staff. I have loved being involved with the UCSA in this extremely strange year, and I hope you have all taken something useful from the UCSA and your time here at uni. It's been a pleasure and an honour. And now I leave you in the very capable hands of the 2012 UCSA President Erin Jackson...

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I have a real love-hate relationship with these last few weeks of term, as Facebook use exponentially increases (productivity decreases) and the art of the all-nighter is ever-perfected, with the tantalising thought of summer being "just around the corner".

I expect that that feeling is more present this year, as we come to the end of one of the more formidable years. Earthquakes, lectures in tents, snow, earthquakes, more snow, rearranged exams... the list of challenges unique to UC students that have been faced and overcome is pretty incredible. My favourite description of this year has been by use of the term "clusterfuck", which I think pretty aptly describes what we've been through. So, congratulations – not only are you still here, but you're still enrolled and about to complete your final exams for the year. I think that's pretty awesome.

To those of you returning next year, I promise that it won't just be "the year after that earthquake". 2012 offers everyone the chance to move forward and deal with new opportunities and challenges.

I am so excited about next year and the possibilities of what the UCSA can do for students. In a changing political sphere, the UCSA stands as an example of a students' association that does deliver on core services and wicked events. I think that it's really important to ensure that the UCSA absolutely guarantees those things that are integral to the student experience and ensures that we challenge ourselves to both do that, as well as think creatively about what else we can offer. The elected executive of twelve students consists of a group of incredibly enthusiastic and capable individuals who have a huge amount of energy to bring to 2012.

To those of you who are finishing up and graduating; congratulations on both finishing a degree over the course of this year and also on actually completing the degree itself! Best of luck for the future and I hope that you've had a wicked time at UC.

Good luck with the last week of term! By now, the flat cooking roster has generally started to fall to shreds, you haven't managed to spend any time outside of the library, and everyone's wound up slightly more than usual – probably not helped by Colin Slade's recent injury. Have faith in the All Blacks, take it easy, and enjoy Tea Party!

See you next year,
Erin