– Facing a wall of alcohol

– It can be hard for anyone to break through in student politics, but particularly for those who call themselves Muslims. They may be faced with a wall of alcohol, especially after meetings, which make them feel a bit on the outside, says Kamil Azhar, who used to be leader of Norsk Studentunion (NSU), the Norwegian Union of Students, from 2002 to 2003.

A recent survey from NSU reveals both good and bad news for student politicians. On one hand, it indicates that many have heard of them. On the other hand, it also indicates that alcohol culture in student politics may be hazardous to recruitment, particularly to students from minority backgrounds.

In the last issue of Universitas, it was revealed that another, informal, survey carried out by Student Counselling and Health Services indicated that 27 per cent of male student politicians in Oslo are in the danger zone of becoming alcoholics. Second chair of the Student Parliament (SP), Torkel Nybakk Kvaal, still feels that there is not a culture for alcohol in student politics.

– It is highly regrettable if this is what some people feel. I have never been informed of such by anyone. All SP meetings and events are non-alcoholic, he says.

– What about the findings of the alcohol-survey?

– That survey was not very scientific. But if we are to take it seriously, it shows that people drink a lot of alcohol, and that these people also care about student politics. Student politicians are above average social, and being social often involves alcohol, Nybakk Kvaal says.