– Shows no respect for the students

– The reason why there is a Student Parliament at all, is because of student politics, but it is becoming quite clear that the left-wing group Venstrealliansen would rather be involved in «saving the world»-politics says Westgaard.

She is responding to the fact that last Thursday, the Student Parliament spent hours coming to a decision regarding GATS and the European Union Services Directive’s impact on academia.

– This doesn’t seem very serious, and in my view it is not the best way to priorities our resources. The Student Parliament has no voting rights in WTO or in the EU, and we would be much better off trying to influence the leadership at the University of Oslo, or at best, the government. We have to realize our limitations and do something constructive, not spend our time discussing matters that is of no importance to the students.

No respect

Westgaard is very upset with the resolution, which briefly suggests that the government should consider to make use of their reservation of rights if there is no guarantee that education is kept out of the services directive.

– The problem is that the document is full of biased words and expressions. It shows a complete lack of tolerance towards everyone to the right of Arbeiderpartiet, the Norwegian Labour Party. Moderat Gruppe (MG) made it clear both before and during the meeting that we didn’t want to spend time on this, Westgaard adds.

According to her the answer was that the representatives from MG were the ones not showing respect since they didn’t want to take part in the debate.

– The students are losing respect for the Student Parliament, and I don’t blame them for not voting at the Student Parliament election.

Useless committee

In addition, Westgaard finds it unfortunate that ideology seems to outrank the specific cases.

– The debates are becoming very ideological, and I can understand that students may think of us as just another useless committee. Thomas André Syvertsen wrote a more well-formed document that the MG could have supported if need be, but it was voted down. It is obvious that the Student Parliament would rather have a radical document than a resolution that the whole parliament can agree on. However, the left-wing is wearing blinders and is not looking to find other solutions.

Petter Risøe from the fraction Morbus Medicus agrees.

– By all means, there is nothing wrong at passing resolutions, but it is pointless to spend several hours on something that we have no say in.

May affect the students

Sveinung Holien from Venstrealliansen, leader of the International committee, was the one in charge of formulating the document that was passed.

– The Student Parliament has a tradition of discussing cases of national importance. I don’t agree that it is a waste of time. It is important to discuss matters such as the EU Service Directive because it may undermine the principles of free education and equal rights to higher education for everybody. It may, potentially, change the students’ everyday life, says Holien, who does not want to discuss the formulations in the resolution.

– The suggestion Syvertsen came up with was lacking in force. It was vague and without obligation. Personally, I would have liked ours to have been even more concrete.

He denies that the resolution has become a radical document.

– This is not so much a question of right or left, but whether or not we should get involved in a case that affects quite a lot of students.

Holien hopes to receive an impact study on higher education from the Ministry of Education and Research, in addition to the hearing that ends on 22 February. He does not agree with MG’s approach to the case.

– I found if very foolish of them to withdraw from the debate, but I suppose it was very convenient for them to do so.

Westgaard shakes her head over Holiens response.

– They don’t seem to see the connection between the things that matters to the students, and the things that the Student Parliament can actually influence. All we are saying is that we ought to spend more time on the things that we can do something about.