Last Sunday, SFS's first Extra-SFSFUM since 1973 concluded. As the Corona pandemic and associated restrictions meant that this spring's FUM became completely digital, it was decided that an extra FUM would be held. As restrictions still apply, the meeting was held in hybrid form with a group on site in Stockholm and even more digitally.
During the extra-SFSFUM, SFS has
- decided on SFS's business plan for the 20/21 financial year
- revised SFS principle program
- revised all of SFS's positions
- elected a new replacement auditor and additional members of the nomination committee
- granted the Art Union at the University of Gothenburg admission to SFS
We would like to extend a big thank you to all the representatives who contributed with good discussion, sharp proposals and clear visions. This has resulted in us now having new visions and policies to base our operations on. Together, we are laying the foundation for all students in Sweden to receive an even better education and study situation.
Here we have summarized the major decisions from the weekend.
Focus on higher education teaching, housing allowance and accessibility
The General Council decided which one-year issues are prioritized for the coming fiscal year. The political issues that SFS will focus on in the fiscal year 20/21 are higher education teaching and learning, the design of the housing allowance and accessibility for studies. It was also decided that SFS will monitor and manage the various effects that the corona pandemic has on the situation and education of students and doctoral students.
Focus on higher education teaching
Unfortunately, the Academy has a tradition of not crediting pedagogical skills to the same extent as scientific skills. It is often reduced to a question of lack of resources. But it is not only about that; it also requires a change in attitude towards higher education teaching. Actors in higher education need to respect the importance of good higher education teaching and understand that it raises the quality of education. It is time to raise the status of higher education teaching. This means, among other things, that SFS should work to:
- Everyone who teaches in higher education must have completed high-quality higher education teaching training and continuously undergo relevant continuing education.
- The higher education institutions' employment and qualification systems drive higher education teaching competence among all teachers and that national coordination of these systems should be implemented.
- the higher education sector develops a national strategy for the development of higher education teaching and learning and that the Swedish University and Higher Education Council is given a promotion mission for
higher education teaching issues. Furthermore, SFS will work to strengthen the Swedish Research Council in its role in promoting higher education teaching skills. SFS will also work to ensure that higher education teaching development is included in the national quality assurance system.
Focus on the design of the housing allowance
The current design of the housing allowance prevents most students from using it. Partly because the total income limit is calculated annually and many students have difficulty predicting their income. There is also a great deal of ignorance about the application process and there is concern that one will be liable for repayment. The General Council decided that SFS will work towards a:
- improving the design of the housing allowance to enable more students to use it.
Focus on accessibility
SFS wants higher education institutions to focus more than today on universal solutions based on an approach that includes everyone. Instead of having individual solutions as standard as today. Examples of such solutions could be a telecoil and microphone in all premises, clear use of color in lecture materials and scheduling with time for recovery. Universal solutions benefit everyone who participates in the education and can reduce the need for individual adaptations. However, universal solutions must never replace individual solutions that are fundamental. The council decided that SFS should work to:
- Higher education institutions develop universal solutions for learning, improve the access and quality of the required pedagogical support measures and consistently focus on student-centered learning.
Sustainability issues
Sustainability issues are a high priority issue for many students. SFS is today the main advocacy organization in student issues against those in power and is supposed to represent the interests of the unions and students. This also requires that SFS can represent the issues that are important to many students. In order to do this in the best way, a development of opinion is needed. Therefore, the council decided to:
- SFS will develop its views on sustainability with a focus on ecological sustainability.
During the council, SFS's program of principles was also updated with basic principles in the area of sustainability. SFS sees that all aspects of sustainability are central to society and that the state has a special responsibility to set clear requirements for sustainability aspects within academia at a national level.
The Academy should therefore actively work to reduce its own climate impact.
Universities also have unique opportunities to provide education and research on sustainability in all subject areas that can benefit society as a whole. SFS further believes that sustainability issues within academia need to be addressed in an international context. Mobility should not be restricted, but there is a need for responsibility in the internationalization that is taking place.
Update of all positions
All positions have now been renamed and revised. As soon as the minutes from the meeting are ready and the texts are revised, the new positions will be available here on SFS.se. The positions are:
- SFS position: Higher education scope, supply, financing and admissions
- SFS position: An open and equal university for all
- SFS position: Student housing situation
Student housing as a category of housing – SFS no longer believes that student housing should not be a separate form of housing.