EDITORIAL | WHAKAKĀINGA / HOME
Written by Alicia Lemmer (she/her) | @autstudentassociation | AUTSA President
Kia ora whānau,
Welcome (or welcome back) to AUT! I’m your returning AUT Student Association (AUTSA) President for 2025, and I’m stoked to be writing this little piece for our very first issue of Debate this year. If we haven’t bumped into each other on campus yet, here’s a quick rundown: My name is Alicia Lemmer, I am a 4th year Communications & Business student and I work full-time to represent you (AUT students) and spend half my life in meetings (and the other half catching up with university work) – but there is honestly no place I’d rather be, because although my schedule is often crazy, I love it!
Why am I here?
To put it simply, my job is to make sure student voices get heard—loud and clear. We’re talking about everything from making study spaces more accessible and student-friendly, to celebrating cultural diversity, to advocating for lower fees and for better lecture recordings. I like to say that I’m your president, and if there’s something you need help with, I want to hear about it! – president@autsa.org.nz
What’s the plan for 2025?
Here are my 3 key plans for 2025:
• Raise AUTSA’s Awareness: It’s likely some of you didn’t know who I was until you picked up this magazine. That’s why I want to boost awareness of AUTSA—who we are, what we do, and how we can help you. For example, did you know AUT students have access to free doctor visits and six free counselling sessions each year? These services are all part of the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF)— or Student Services Levy—that you pay each year. The government requires that money be used solely to benefit students, which means it can’t fund academic teaching or admin. You pay $1192.00 (including GST) for 120 credits of study, and that fee helps fund everything from health services to campus events. Let’s make the most of it!
• Student Engagement, Community & Fun: I’m all about creating a vibrant campus life where you feel welcome, heard, and excited to come to university. That means pop-up events, Q&A sessions, free food, cultural celebrations, and festival-style events where you can unwind (and maybe show off your dance moves). I want every AUT student—no matter your background or major—to feel a part of our community. If you’ve got an issue, a cool idea, or even just a question, let me know!
• Advocating for change at a National Level: In 2024, AUTSA became a part of the Aotearoa Tertiary Students Association, teaming up with other student groups across New Zealand to push for better conditions for students nationwide. One of our biggest missions this year is to advocate for those on unpaid placements. We’re committed to improving financial hardship support, taking over the campaign to address unpaid placement conditions, and generally fighting for real, tangible solutions that make student life better for everyone.
Where do you come in?
I’d love to see more of your faces at AUTSA activities. Don’t be shy, slide into the DMs, follow AUTSA on Instagram to keep up to date with what's going on @autstudentassociation, stop by the AUTSA office, or say hi if you spot me wandering campus. My biggest hope for 2025 is that we work together, share ideas, and bring a new bigger, better & fresher energy to campus life.
Hope to catch you around campus!
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