Students Sceptical to EU

As the population at large is gradually warming to the idea of joining the EU, the percentage of students opposed to EU membership has risen from 45 per cent in 2001 to 49.5 per cent in 2003, according to a recent study carried out by Norsk Gallup. Specialist on EU related questions Ulf Sverdrup points out that many students favour the left-wing party SV (The Socialist Left), which opposes the EU.

The University\'s Centre for Information Technology, USIT, is facing serious cuts, and the centre\'s management is currently identifying measures to reduce costs. Several projects are in danger of being discontinued, and staff hired in connection with these have been warned not to expect renewal of their contracts. Sub-director Øyvind Sørensen says that the extent of reductions is uncertain as yet, but that staff on short-term contracts who wish to continue working for USIT will have to apply for one of the new positions to be advertised rather than expect to be allowed to continue in their current positions.

The University Board is to reconsider the University\'s IT strategy in connection with its next board meeting 25 March as well as evaluating USIT\'s general economic situation.