University Election 2024 - The Arts Council
The Academic Council
Every year, the Arts Council nominates candidates for the Academic Council. There are a total of three student representatives in the Academic Council, and in last year's election, all three positions were awarded to students on the Arts Council's list.
This year, we are also presenting candidates whom we have voted to trust at our Arts Council meetings, where all the students´ councils from around the faculty can vote to represent their fellow students. In addition to the three main positions, we are also putting forward two alternate candidates who are ready to step in if necessary.
You can see and read about our candidates below:
Read more about Mathilde here...
Mathilde Vadsager Andresen
23 years old, Classical Philology, MA 1st semester
Favorite cake: Sand cake
From Hjørring - Vendsyssel
I have always enjoyed learning. It felt natural to transition from primary school to high school, and when I started studying Latin in high school, it was a natural step for me to continue it here, at the university.
Since I started at Aarhus University, I have done a lot of volunteer and student political work. I have been part of my local students´ council since I started in 2020 and served on the Executive Committee of the Students´ Council last year. I have been a member of my local degree programme committee and board of studies, and I am currently in the Study Environment Council and the IKS Institute Forum.
I am passionate about inclusion, and if elected, I will do my best to involve as many students as possible in the decision-making processes.
Fun fact: I collected frog figurines as a child and have a collection of over 200 frog figurines.
I bring a wealth of student political experience with me to the Academic Council. I have an understanding of AU as an organization and how to get influence where it matters the most.
Read more about Bálint here...
Bálint Márk Sosovicska
22 years old, Classical Philology, MA 1st semester
Favorite cake: Old-fashioned apple cake
From Kolding (born in Budapest)
I never doubted that I would study at an university; my desire to learn about languages, history, and the foundations of society has driven me with joy and enthusiasm through primary school and then through the classical language program in high school. Therefore, it felt right to take it a step further in the same direction and start studying Classical Philology. With the same enthusiasm, I chose to engage in my local study environment, and besides being part of the board for our local journal and besides organizing the Classical Studies´ common subjects day for the past two years, I also ended up being head tutor twice.
I am currently the treasurer for the Arts Council, which allows me to participate in the work and daily operations that ensure broad representation for students at Arts. Additionally, I help maintain order in the Students´ Council's operations and democratic foundation through my role as the chief chair for the Student Council's Common Assembly. I have also met with deans from all the country's universities to discuss the government's university reform in the Candidate Committee's working group for high school-oriented education.
This is my second time serving on the Academic Council. On both occasions, I have been appointed as an alternate member, thus I have only been a member during the following periods: October 24th, 2023, to January 31st 2024, and September 1st 2024, to January 31st 2025. Now, the students´ councils have shown me their trust by electing me as their front-runner, and I am ready to fully represent the students throughout the coming year!
Fun fact: My classmates in high school gave me a small plot of land in Scotland as a confirmation gift, so I could be called a "laird."
For me, it is important to create a broad overview. This applies not only to the current landscape of subjects in the Arts but also to the vision needed for students to be able to call the Arts their faculty in 2030, with dedicated spaces for organizations, reflection, and academic pursuits. It is an overview in which the students' voices must be heard, and therefore I will work to ensure that this is fully recognized in the Academic Council.
I will enter the council with a steady footing, grounded in experiences from many different areas, and the same enthusiasm that drove me to university will accompany me into the Academic Council, Arts.
Read more about Signe here...
Signe Jette Gjerluf Kristiansen
21 years old, History with a minor in German SLK, BA 5th semester
Favorite cake: Tiramisu
From Bramming
It has definitely been my passion and interest in history that led me to start at university. Subsequently, I have discovered many other exciting subjects, which is why I chose to have a minor in German.
I have previously been very involved in the students´ life the History programs, but the Academic Council is my first concrete experience in student politics — something I see as an advantage! I aim to bring a fresh perspective to the council, and I will fight to ensure that smaller programs are not overlooked!
Fun fact: I love plants and have an absurd number of them all over my apartment.
Although I may not have much experience in student politics, I have many other perspectives and experiences with which I can contribute.
Read more about Irene here...
Irene Slottved
22 years old, Religious Studies, BA 3rd semester
Favorite cake: Brownie
From Aarhus
I have always been a super curious and eager learner, driven by passion and a love for reading. Therefore, the dream of going to university has always been a part of me, especially when I discovered the program in Religious Studies.
At the same time, I have always wanted to leave my mark on the study and youth environment that I am a part of. This is why I have previously been a member of the Childrens´ and Youth´s Council in Aarhus, various student councils and boards, and served as an election assistant. So when I started at university, it was only natural for me to participate in, among other things, my local students´ council. It didn't take long before I became a substitute member of our Educational Board and a tutor this summer.
I am particularly passionate about ensuring transparency and inclusion in decision-making processes that undoubtedly affect the students.
Fun fact: I have an unnatural obsession with making PowerPoint presentations.
I bring a fresh perspective to the Academic Council, along with a driving passion for the students' conditions and well-being.
Read more about Bjørk here...
Misja Bjørk Lauridsen
23 years old, Archaeology, BA 5th semester
Favorite cake: Brunsviger without whipped cream
I have always thought that I would work in a field that required a higher education. Originally, I dreamt of starting at the University of Copenhagen, but I ended up choosing Aarhus University, and I am happy with my choice. The level of engagement from the students is heartwarming.
In addition to being part of my local Students´ council, I am also a student member of the degree programme committee for Archaeology, where I have served as vice chair from January 2024 to September 2024. Moreover, I am also a student member of the IKS board of studies.
Through my work, I have learned that what I find important is transparency in the Academic Council and the inclusion and diversity that it fosters.
Fun fact: I once scolded a former Minister for Foreign Affairs.
I bring a lot of new and different perspectives to the Academic Council; my personal experiences with diversity and inclusion enable me to contribute with something unique and beneficial.
General Background for the Key Issues
Local voices must be heard, and it is important that there is a direct link between the members of the Academic Council and the Arts Council meetings, and thus the local councils, so that the representatives in the Academic Council serve as a voice for the local students´ councils and students. This relation between the representatives of the Academic Council and the Academic Council itself must be clear and accessible to each individual student.
1. Good physical surroundings that facilitate a good study life
- Local Influence on the Study Environment.
- Facilities that support both academic and social purposes.
- Modern facilities and inspiring study environments.
The university's buildings provide the physical framework for students' daily lives at Aarhus University. They are thus the physical manifestation of the university's processes and mentalities.
For students to thrive across the university's various campuses, it is important to provide flexible frameworks within which students can create a sense of belonging to physical spaces at the university, including having a say in their design. This is why we in the Arts Council work for an Arts study environment of world-class quality, where knowledge meets well-being.
“We strive for a healthy study environment: One that students will choose, one they can be proud of, and one in which they will thrive; thus, a world-class university: Not just one that meets the minimal requirements, but one that aims for a higher standard.” - Arts Council's policy paper on principles for a good physical study environment.
2. At Arts we take responsibility: Investing in the students' development
- To invest the university's funds in initiatives that benefit students and their study environment.
- Accessible and comprehensive support resources for all students.
- Ensure that the SPS services reach all eligible students.
SPS must function for students who are entitled to it, but there should also be options for students who do not fall under SPS's responsibility, so that no students at the faculty of Arts fall through or outside the system.
Opportunities for support must be better promoted and communicated to students to ensure that all students, regardless of their program and subjects, have access to resources and concrete support for their education.
Therefore, it is also important to ensure continued support for the mentee-mentor program, buddy program, and other student-to-student initiatives, and to better inform students about the available support options.
The funds that the university receives for students should also be used for things and initiatives that help and promote the students and their study environment!
3. Transparency and involvement - let's create an overview at Arts!
- Active involvement of student representatives for better decision-making processes.
- Overview of processes and greater flexibility in administration.
- Clear communication and respect as the foundation for an effective and welcoming university culture.
We in the Arts Council believe that it is essential for a university to involve as many employees, students, and experts as possible, especially when major decisions are to be made. Therefore, there should be active involvement from the management in the form of consultations and surveys, while keeping the elected representatives informed so that they can relay information to their constituencies and ensure that their opinions are taken seriously.
In this regard, it is necessary to show respect for and recognition of the fact that the democratic foundation is built on the formation of opinions, debates, and communication between the elected representatives and their constituencies.
Many of the processes that students must navigate regarding exchanges, pre-approval, etc., are difficult to get an overview of, even though they are already described on AU's websites. This is especially true when the actual process that the student ends up in deviates from the presented template.
At Aarhus University, basic things such as correct registration for classes and exams, appropriate allocation of teaching rooms according to class size, and non-overlapping scheduling should a matter of course. Therefore, there should be more flexibility in the administration, even in cases of deviation from standard procedures, to ensure these basic expectations.
There should be common guidelines for the closing or reduction of libraries, so that no study areas or faculties lose more knowledge, reading materials, and information than others.
