More than 3200 students have signed a petition opposing moves to end compulsory membership of student associations.
The petition was organised by the Otago University Students Association (OUSA) which, along with other student associations, fears the passing of Sir Roger Douglas' Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill will see student associations and services fade away.
Submissions on the Bill closed yesterday and will be considered by Parliament's education and science select committee.
It is due to report back on May 28.
OUSA executive member and petition organiser Dan Stride said he was delighted with the level of support for the petition.
The 3206 signatures represented almost 16% of all students enrolled at the University of Otago and more than 18% of all students studying at the Dunedin campus.
Copies of the petition had been sent to Prime Minister John Key, Minister of Tertiary Education Steven Joyce, education and science select committee chairman Allan Peachey, and Opposition Leader Phil Goff, he said.