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Welcome to St Margaret’s College
Congratulations on your acceptance to St Margaret’s College! On behalf of the Executive Committee of the St Margaret's College Members’ Association, we are thrilled to welcome you to your new home away from home and look forward to getting to know you in 2026!
The Executive Committee, also known as the Exec, manages the St Margaret’s College Members’ Association on behalf of the College Members. We are a passionate group with your best interest at heart, and we are dedicated to supporting you and making 2026 a year you will never forget.
The Exec is not only made up of returning Members of the College — our team will be joined by two First Year Reps, elected at the beginning of 2026. If this sounds like you, go for it. Join us for more fun :D
The Exec members for 2026 are:
- President: Basil Faris
- Vice President: Jess Power
- Secretary: Mary Bragg
- Treasurer: Ryan Yan
- Arts Rep: Minsoo Jung
- Cultural Rep: Saissha Gupta
- Food Rep: Sarah Aung
- Social Rep: Matthew Beltran
- Sports Rep: Leo Mwape
We know that starting your first year at university, especially while moving away from home, can be both exciting and a little overwhelming. Trust me, we’ve all been through it. But not to worry, the Exec and OUSA (Otago University’s Student Association) are here for you! :)
We have a range of amazing events planned for 2026 that’ll help you settle into college life, form life-long friendships, and create unforgettable memories. While we don’t want to give too much away just yet, here’s a small sneak peak: Inter-College Competition, Mystery Bus Trip, Annual Floor Baking Challenge, Sock tag, and much more to come!
You might be wondering about what to bring to St Margaret’s next year, so here are some things we recommend to make the most out of the year:
- A white sheet for toga night
- Things for stress relief and hobbies (a musical instrument, sports gear, books, art supplies, playing cards, camera, etc)
- Things to remind you of home, and to decorate your room with such as posters and photos (bring some drawing pins too)
- Some cool, unique, and striking accessories for theme dinners, and fancy outfits (suits or dresses) for formal dinners
- A laundry basket/bag
- Slippers/jandals/crocks for showering and wearing around the college
- Warm clothes, raincoats, puffer jacket, and an umbrella, because it’s Otago and no-one can predict the weather
- Lots of free space on your phone to capture all the great moments you’ll find
- And last, but certainly not least, your excitement and curiosity to explore life in university
We can’t wait to get to know ALL of you! You will meet lots of new people from all over New Zealand and across the world. Your experience at St Margaret’s College will be like no other. Believe me when I say, you will get to meet lots of new people who will soon become your friends and grow so much as an individual, often in ways you never expect.
As long as you’re willing to embark on this new journey, step out of your comfort zone, and be your best, most authentic self, you’ll have an amazing year ahead. Let’s make the most of 2026 together!
Basil Faris
2026 President - St Margaret’s College Members’ Association