Rate My Professor Debbie Downs

Debbie Downs is the Chief Executive Officer of the Otago University Students' Association (OUSA), a position she has held since her appointment in February 2015. Prior to this role, she served as the operations manager at the University of Otago College of Education. Having started her career at the University of Otago, Downs possesses extensive knowledge of the tertiary education sector. She has demonstrated a passion for general management, with particular interests in human resource management and accounting. At the time of her appointment, OUSA President Paul Hunt highlighted the value of having someone of Downs' calibre to lead OUSA staff and collaborate on providing services and support to all 20,000 students at Otago. Downs remarked that OUSA does an amazing job and that the CEO role represents a perfect fit for her.

In her leadership capacity over the past decade, Debbie Downs has addressed key student-related matters at the University of Otago. She engaged with the introduction of testing services for recreational drugs at student events, overcoming initial misgivings to support harm reduction efforts. In January 2022, she communicated OUSA's hard decision not to host the Tent City event amid pandemic concerns. In May 2024, she reported to the executive about a small sharp foreign object discovered in a student's $4 lunch, underscoring attention to campus food safety. Downs has actively participated in OUSA executive meetings, including the session on March 16, 2026, and supported initiatives such as cheque presentations for community festivals like the Dunedin Craft Beer & Food Festival. Her efforts have focused on tightening bonds between OUSA and the University of Otago. She is listed in the University staff directory under external organisations and works from the OUSA Main Office at 640 Cumberland Street, North Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, with direct dial +64 3 777 3905.