Who are the new AU?
WHO ARE THE NEW AU…
…and are they really going to kidnap the mayor of Sogndal?
I t is a warm summer’s day when Tuntreet meets the newly elected Executive Committee of the Student Parliament (AU) outside of the Clock Building. Here, we meet Wilhelm, Martine, and Camila, who eagerly tell us who they are and how they wish to improve your everyday life as a student.
Journalist: Tobias Waage Bremnes
Photographer: Astor Ness
Translator: Natalie Nazareno
Web dsitributor: Martha Ingeborg Evensen
What is AU?
AU consists of three students elected by the rest of the students to work as fulltime politicians. Their job is to be the link between students and staff, and to make sure that the Student Parliament’s policies are put into practice. Therefore, AU works to influence the university, the municipality, SiÅs, and the Health Center. The Student Parliament can in many ways be compared with the National Parliament and the Executive Committee can be compared to the Government.
Which cases are most important going forward?
The student politicians do not hesitate to talk about what’s close to their hearts. Wilhelm is especially engaged in the degradation of Vollskogen. He believes that NMBU, as the sustainability-focused university it is, must stay united against degradation of valuable nature. Another important issue which engages the Executive Committee is the students’ welfare offer. Camila highlights the fact that students are an especially vulnerable group, where many already struggle financially and with loneliness.
She is critical to the downsizing of the Health Center due to the lack of financial funding. “As students, you face pressure from every direction. The university expects you to dedicate 40 hours to your studies while the Government expects you to work 35 hours on top of that. In addition, they are now going to reduce our welfare offers and still wonder why we struggle”, says a provoked Wilhelm. “What’s missing now is a rich … and are they really going to kidnap the mayor of Sogndal? American uncle who can save the students”, Martine chimes in jokingly and chuckles. Wilhelm points out that in the 90s, students protested the low student aid by kidnapping the mayor of Sogndal. Back then, the student aid was 1.5G, however, today it is only 1.1G. The AU leader dreams of greater student engagement and jokingly warns the mayor of Sogndal to “watch out”.
Who can contact AU?
Anyone who wishes can contact AU, no matter how big or small the issue seems. Camila informs that their office is in the Clock Building, in room U118. Their opening hours are weekdays 10-14. In addition, you can contact AU through Facebook, Instagram, their website, and via e-mail, Camila says.
Instagram: @studenttingetnmbu
Facebook: Studenttinget NMBU / The Student Parliament NMBU
E-mail: studenttinget@nmbu.no
Website: https://www.studentdemokratiet. no/kontakt-arbeidsutvalget
Who is AU?
Wilhelm Olav Anthun. From: Bømlo. Born: 1999 Education: Taking a master’s degree in Ecology. Area of responsibility: The leader of AU and marketing officer
Camila Noel Moreno. From: Bergen w/ international background. Born: 1999 Education: Taking a bachelor’s degree in International Environment and Development Studies. Area of responsibility: International responsibility, welfare, sustainability, and research
Martine Bingen. From: Fredrikstad. Born: 1999 Education: Completed a master’s degree in Environmental Science. Area of responsibility: Learning environment, quality of study, and innovation
