Students at universities and colleges are represented by student unions. There can be several student unions at a college, but the student unions must always represent different areas of activity. Thus, there cannot be several student unions representing students at the same education.
Students have the opportunity to organize themselves into associations and apply for student union status. The application is submitted to the higher education institution, which makes a decision on student union status. The process surrounding the application and decision on student union status is called the “student union status process”. A decision on student union status is valid for three years, after which the process is repeated again.
Student unions are central to students being able to exercise democratic influence over their education. Therefore, SFS believes that the union status process must be transparent and legally secure. It is the students themselves who should decide who represents them. The university only handles the application and makes the formal decision on union status.
Recommendations (2023)
In 2023, SFS developed recommendations aimed at higher education institutions and student associations working with the student union status process. They are aimed at both state higher education institutions and individual education providers, as well as affiliated student associations, although on slightly different premises.
Read SFS recommendations here:
Mapping (2020)
In early 2020, SFS published a report describing the rules surrounding the student union status process. The report identifies some unclear rules. Therefore, some recommendations are made on how the process can be developed:
- The government is expanding and clarifying the concept of student.
- The government clarifies whether/how students who are not covered by the student concept should be represented in decisions that affect them.
- The government clarifies the opportunities for student unions
has to exclude members. - The universities develop a common standard for class times and certain definitions within the student union status process.
The report in its entirety can be found here: