020 Representative alumni
A page that goes down memory lane of what our past representatives have accomplished
Irem Kepkep
2022/23 FSR FMG Organization and Finance Committee Chair
Mental Health
Initiative: The focus of our initiative was student well-being, with a particular emphasis on mental health and inclusivity issues. Our primary goal for this year was to enhance the visibility of mental health accommodations at UvA.
Progress: Starting from the beginning of 2023, we dedicated our efforts to creating an FSR FMG Canvas page. This page was intended to facilitate the sharing of mental health resources and important announcements, fostering better communication between the council and the student body. However, after working on this project for several months, we encountered reluctance from the Dean in implementing it.
Future: Moving forward, we can continue to develop this idea in the coming years. Additionally, we have received positive feedback from several faculty members who are interested in receiving input from students and the council regarding mental health weeks and other initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity and increasing visibility for students.
Renad Mangoud
2022/23 CSR Delegate from FEB Faculty
Sustainability: Third Party Collaborations
Initiative: We undertook a comprehensive examination of the research collaborations involving our university, with a specific focus on investigating controversial companies. Our goal was to expand the UvA's attention beyond its campus and into its external affairs, driven by the increasing demand for genuine sustainable actions within the university.
Progress: The Faculty Student Councils (FSRs) and the Central Student Council (CSR) have taken an official stance against partnering with fossil fuel companies in research projects at our university. After extensive negotiations, the UvA has implemented a suspension on all new projects with these companies until a central decision is made by the Executive Board. Additionally, we identified shortcomings in the regulations governing third-party collaborations.
Future: The Executive Board (CvB) has agreed to consult with the CSR regarding changes to be made in the Collaborations Regulations. We hope that the next Faculty Student Councils will exhibit the same assertiveness and critical thinking as we have, aiming to establish more sustainable practices and encourage the university to collaborate with organizations that align with our values.
Disability and Chronic Illness
Initiative:
Our initiative focused on improving and restructuring the system for disabled and/or chronically ill students to receive accommodations for their studies.
Progress:
Following our central advocacy, a working group was established to address this specific issue. The group will engage with various stakeholders, including students with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses, to determine the best approach for adapting the current system.
Future:
By the beginning of the next academic year, the working group aims to develop an implementable policy and provide recommendations for enhancing accessibility within the university. We anticipate these changes to be implemented by September 2023 and encourage future student councils to continue advocating for educational accessibility.
Catering Initiative
Initiative:
Implementing a pilot program inspired by the practice at HvA, offering a subsidized vegan or vegetarian meal to assist students facing financial challenges.
Progress:
The Executive Board (CvB) has approved this initiative, and now, during specific hours of the day, nearly all campuses and UvA locations provide a vegan or vegetarian meal priced at 3.50 euros.
Future:
We have received commitments to revise and refine the UvA's White Papers, which outline sustainability guidelines for catering. A meeting is scheduled with the student protest group, AntiKantine, and Facility Service to discuss further improvements in UvA's catering services.
2022/23 CSR Chair of O&O
Chiara Zuber
Anjali Sarah George
2022/23 CSR Vice Chair
Menstrual Equity
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Initiative:
Our initiative aimed to reform the period products pilot program introduced by UvA at the start of the 2022/2023 academic year.
Progress:
We successfully negotiated the price of period products down to 15 cents. In collaboration with various study associations and FSRs across the campuses, we conducted a CSR pilot program. We provided free menstrual products in bathrooms and our offices, distributing close to 7000 units since December 2022. We also partnered with ASVA, CREA, and Periodic.nl to install the first dispenser in CREA, offering free menstrual products. Additionally, we collaborated with other universities, Periodic.nl, and ASVA to strengthen our advocacy efforts.
Future:
ASVA is working with us on a petition urging the UvA to provide free menstrual products and allocate a dedicated section within the facilities budget for menstrual hygiene. Moreover, I have been invited to present our initiatives at MenstruWeek 2023, where I hope to connect with more advocates and university student representatives. The next Council will need to maintain relationships with external collaborators and stakeholders while voting annually in support of a menstrual hygiene section within the university's facility budget for UvA, HvA, and AUC.
Social Safety Initiative
Initiative:
Our initiative aimed to understand and map out the social safety structure at UvA, as well as identify the challenges faced in reaching out to the student population.
Progress:
We successfully mapped out the social safety house and established a strong connection between the CSR and the Coordinating Confidential Advisor, Ombuds' office, and Complaints Committee, with collaboration from the CDO. This year, we increased the social safety budget by 150,000€ and provided advice to the Ombuds' office and Coordinating Confidential Advisor on potential student challenges. We reached agreements with the Coordinating Confidential Advisor on improved communication, social safety campaigns, and workshops for students and staff. The Coordinating Confidential Advisor intends to unofficially adopt the suggestions from the Amnesty International Treaty presented to multiple Dutch universities.
Future:
The next Council should prioritize the appointment of a financial coordinator for the social safety house, increase the budget for the upcoming years, and assess any remaining gaps between the social safety house and students. Additionally, they should provide advice to the social safety houses from a student perspective.
