UCSA suffers double Executive resignations

Resignations of two of the UCSA’s executive lead to replacements. 

Source: Jordan Smith / Canta.  

The UCSA has been hit with resignations by two of its executives in succession, with Post-graduate representative (PG) Erin Spencer and Vice-President Engagement elect Parthey Pant both removing themselves from their respective roles.  

The resignations put the UCSA in the unenviable position of filling the two key positions quickly, and for the rest of 2024.  

UCSA President Luc MacKay not only addressed the reasons behind the resignations but also said the UCSA were extremely grateful to have Spencer and Pant on the 2024 Executive. 

“Parthey resigned due to wanting to focus more on his studies,” MacKay said. 

“Spencer stepped down from her role due to wanting to focus on her family, PhD thesis and community volunteer work,” he told Canta.  

MacKay also said both roles had been reappointed, with Kelsey McKenzie filling in as interim PG rep and 2025 elected VP-Engagement Jharmane Catolico taking on the role early.  

The tenure and the exit of the executives was not all what MacKay alluded to.  

Canta spoke with Spencer, who expressed vividly some of the internal organisational problems she dealt with in her role. 

Spencer said the UCSA are disconnected from post graduate students to the point where the perceived solution was to double the hours of her role per week (10 to 20), which was the driving reason behind her resignation. 

“I am [a] full time PhD student and mother of a toddler… I also sit on a community volunteer board. I can’t just magically come up with more hours in a day,” Spencer said.  

The UCSA was also described as a culturally insensitive organisation by Spencer, who claimed her advocation for post-grads and inclusivity alike was ignored by leaders and the organisation was focused on the financial bottom line.  

“As a queer Black woman, I was left to constantly push for inclusion, whether it be asking questions around why no one besides the Te Akatoki rep was capable of doing a karakia or having to request multiple times for there to be a social media post celebrating Ramadan,” Spencer said. 

“Unfortunately the current focus, in my opinion, seems to be about corporate expansion, the role of the exec is now one of ‘draw the least attention so we don’t scare off investors’ … we end up failing a lot of students with this approach.”   

In response to Spencer’s statements, MacKay said the UCSA undertook a review in 2022 for all its executive roles, including surveys and workshopping. The decision to increase the PG rep’s role was passed in May last year as a result, which MacKay labelled “a proactive measure to ensure that the workload of the role accurately reflects the needs of our postgraduate students.” 

Additionally, MacKay strongly disagreed with Spencer’s view on the UCSA’s cultural inclusivity.  

“The UCSA is deeply committed to providing an inclusive space where all students, regardless of their background, feel safe, valued, and heard,” MacKay said. 

“We take these concerns around this seriously and are committed to working with our diverse student communities to ensure that we are meeting these expectations.” 

Furthermore, in Spencer’s comments to Canta, she said the UCSA’s overwhelming focus lay with its’ financials, to which MacKay responded: “It is important to clarify that the UCSA is not driven by corporate expansion.” 

“Our mission remains firmly rooted in advocating for and supporting our students. This includes a wide range of services such as welfare, advocacy, and student experience events, as well as essential services like our dental care and club support.” 

Spencer encouraged the UCSA’s executive for 2025 to “hold their President accountable so that he may be more open to new ways of thinking about the world.” 

MacKay agreed accountability is one of the most important facets of being President and referenced to the student body how much himself and the UCSA Executive embraces it. 

“We take this responsibility seriously, and I welcome meaningful, open-minded dialogue with all students to ensure we are meeting the needs of our diverse community.”  

Canta reached out to Pant for comment but did not receive a response.