COMMUNICATIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION POLICY

CATEGORY: OPERATIONAL
LAST MODIFIED: N/A
VERSION NO.: 1
FIRST RATIFIED: TBC
LAST RATIFIED: N/A
REVIEW DATE: TBC

1. PURPOSE
1.1. This policy clarifies the process of dealing with communications made on behalf of
the Otago University Students’ Association. The Association believes that all
members have a right to freedom of expression and to critique the Association, so
long as such speech is not abusive, intimidating , harassing or spam.

2. INTERPRETATION
2.1. Abusive means any comments that a reasonable person would perceive as unfairly
attacking an individual on a personal level.
Harassing means any comments that a reasonable person would perceive as
unfairly and repeatedly targeting an individual.
Intimidating means any comments that a reasonable person would perceive as
unfairly threatening an individual with any negative action or consequence,
especially when the individual is not in a position to defend themselves.
Spam means any comment which is not remotely connected with the topic being
discussed and which is absurd or frivolous.

3. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION

3.1. Only the President of the Association has the authority to issue official statements of
the Society.
3.2. All members, including Executive Officers, have a right to express their own opinions
and beliefs on any matter, whether or not that matter relates to the Association or
not.

4. COMMUNICATIONS MADE USING ASSOCIATION RESOURCES

4.1. The Association shall appoint a Moderator of public comments made using
Association resources.
4.2. The Association reserves the right to moderate any comment made on any
Association run resource which is abusive, intimidating, harassing or spam.
4.3. The Moderator will only moderate those comments which fall within 4.1.
4.4. If the Moderator does choose to moderate any comments made, they must:
4.4.1. Notify the maker of the comment with the reason for moderation, and give
them a chance to reply publicly; and
4.4.2. Notify the public with the reason for moderation, and give the public a chance
to comment.
4.5. The maker of any moderated comment, once given the chance to reply publicly, may
appeal the decision of the Moderator to the Executive, who shall make a final
determination on the matter.
4.6. On any such appeal, the appellant may present their case to the Executive before the
Executive makes a determination, and they may be accompanied by any support
persons they wish to accompany them.

OUSA INTERNAL POLICY #I0XX-201X

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