Waging war on a rotten student democracy

– Student politicians are generally preoccupied with getting positions. They are not in touch with students, and are not dealing with the real problems that affect students, such as cuts in teaching, says political science student Magnus Nystrand. He has taken the initiative to start the Student Movement, and insists that today’s student politicians are not fulfilling their responsibilities.

Nystrand believes that the student democracy is rotten, and is not impressed with leader of the Student parliament Heine Skipenes.

– Skipenes did not deal with the problem of the ridiculously low level of participation in the election, and when he was re-elected for another term, the voter participation was still low, Nystrand says. In 2007, the turnout was 8,9 percent, and in 2008, it was 9,2 percent.

– But student politicians are part of the Student Movement as well?

– Yes, some of us have experienced the problems in the culture, administration and the misguided prioritizations in the Student parliament, Nystrand says.

Standing for election

Despite their contempt for the Student Parliament, the Student Movement will have their own list in the Student Parliament elections this spring.

– Couldn’t the movement be seen as a stunt in order to get elected?

– No, our main priority at the moment is to mobilize as many people as possible. Who will be on this list will be decided through public meetings, not in a closed group. We will change the structure of the Student Parliament through a dialogue with students. We invite all students at the university to take part in the Student Movement.

– Student politicians as well?

– Are they students, then?

Throwing a party

In order to mobilize the student masses, they will be relying on events such as concerts, parties and appeals. The Student Movement will contact student committees and associations, as well as academic staff, in order to promote their causes.

– It is important to cooperate with academic staff in order to get the best teaching possible. The statement last autumn from Jomar Talsnes Heggdal, student representative on the University Board, that «professors can be replaced in the same way as a cleaning firm» sends out an unfortunate message, Nystrand comments.

Heggdal’s statements were issued in connection with the discussion on whether temporary employees should have protected positions, in which he argued that permanent employees are spared from cuts to an excessive degree.

Denies accusations

Leader of the Student Parliament Heine Skipenes says that the thing that characterizes student politicians is that they are sincere in their commitment.

– I do not exactly agree with Nystrand, but I see some of his points.

– Are student politicians mostly students simply looking to get positions?

– No, we are not a gang of political «broiler chickens». I believe that student politicians are genuinely committed students. The Student Parliament stays in touch with student associations and committees, and does its best to communicate with students. During the course of the spring, we will work hard to increase voter participation in the upcoming election. We are constantly working to improve ourselves. We deal with students’ problems and look for solutions, Skipenes says.

Yet Skipenes still praises the initiative.

– We need committed students.

Medical student Petter Risøe sat in the Student Parliament for the protest list Morbus Medicus from 2006 until 2007, and thinks that the student politicians’ party membership can be problematic.

– What is wrong with the current student democracy?

– The problem is that the few who are committed, often get preoccupied with party politics. Student politicians should represent students, not the youth parties. The Student Parliament is too politicized.

Risøe believes that the Student Parliament passes many motions without taking action, but believes that the Student Movement can put pressure on them.

– They must be adamant and follow the issues from resolution to action. In order to make something happen, you have to nag and push – that is something we in Morbus understood after a while. I wish the Student Movement the best of luck, Risøe concludes.