Who we are

The current Statute of the Student Government of the University of Wroclaw contains numerous gaps and shortcomings that lead to irregularities and abuses in the electoral and decision-making processes. As the Civil Student Committee of UWr, we strive to create a new, more democratic statute that will introduce the following proposals:

• A system of safeguards against misconduct:
  We will introduce a well thought-through system of power division and oversight of Student Government bodies to ensure it never becomes someone’s private domain. We will limit the omnipotence of the Chairman. The Student Parliament will become an independent body, with its own Speaker. The Appeals Board will have the power to review decisions made by the Student Government bodies.

• Decentralization of the Student Government:
  Students’ issues should be addressed primarily at the faculty level, where the student studies. Faculty Student Governments are closest to the students, and they should have the authority to handle student matters, as well as the funding to conduct ongoing activities at the local level.

• Student Interest Clubs:
  Students want to build their community, but the current Student Government doesn’t provide the opportunities for that. In the new Statute, we will introduce Student Interest Clubs (SKZ), which will operate similarly to Student Scientific Clubs but will focus on developing students’ non-academic interests. Want to organize movie nights? Weekend RPG sessions? Or perhaps create a network of people planning careers in EU institutions? SKZ will allow you to do this in university spaces with financial support from the Student Government.

Protecting student rights is one of our priorities. In the face of non-transparent university procedures and unclear rules that sometimes work against students, specific changes are needed:

• Reform of the Study Regulations:
  The current Study Regulations lack many provisions necessary for the protection of student rights. It doesn’t specify what to do when an exam is not held on time due to unforeseen circumstances or the fault of the examiner. It doesn’t grant students specific rights in case of violation of their rights, leaving decisions to the deans. The rules for individual study modes and external assessments are left to the discretion of Faculty Councils. We will advocate for reforming the Study Regulations.

• Foreign students are also students!
  In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of international students at our university. Unfortunately, the Student Government has not acknowledged this. International students face many challenges, including visa issues, acclimatization in a foreign country, and the recognition of internships, for which they do not receive systemic support. We recognize these students and the costs they incur to study here. We will also be your voice!

• Enough with the unfairness in student internships!
  We are shocked by rumors that the university may reject offers from employers for paid internships, pushing for unpaid internships instead. This policy would be aimed at shielding the university from potential claims by students. Moreover, we hear that in some faculties, students are hindered from getting credit for internships they arrange themselves. We will investigate these issues and, if true, take decisive action!

Social issues play a key role in ensuring equal access to education. Many students struggle with financial difficulties, which hinder their studies. Our goals are:

• Improving dormitories:
  The issue of dormitories has often been the subject of April Fool’s jokes at our university. It’s time to take the construction of new Student Houses and the improvement of living conditions in existing ones seriously. We won’t do this alone! We will ensure that dormitory residents are empowered to decide on their matters through revitalized dormitory self-governance.
• Better access to social scholarships:
  Financial support should be more accessible, and the application process more transparent. The Student Government has the opportunity to participate in scholarship committees, but in recent years, this opportunity has often been overlooked. The income threshold for social scholarships is too low and has not been adequately adjusted for inflation, and the amount of the scholarship itself is insufficient.

Student funds should be allocated to initiatives that genuinely support academic development and improve student life, not to expensive events with little substantive value. We want:

• Financial transparency:
  The Student Government should regularly present spending reports, which will be accessible to all students. We believe every student has the right to know how student budget funds are being spent. The law already requires this, but the reports currently published leave much to be desired! We had to file requests for months to obtain a detailed breakdown of last year’s Student Government expenses.

• Limiting unnecessary expenses:
  In 2023, the Student Government budget was around 600,000 PLN. Half of that was spent on organizing its own Juwenalia, even though the Student Government was invited to join the city-wide Juwenalia organized by all other universities in Wrocław. This year, UWr participated in two Juwenalia events. 100,000 PLN was spent on sending selected Student Government representatives to closed meetings and conferences and organizing a grand event in Wrocław. This means that only about 30% of the budget is allocated to the Student Government’s daily activities.
  
• Investing in Students’ future:
  The money saved will be transferred to Faculty Student Governments to organize regular student events, to Student Interest Clubs to build a university-wide student community, and to support student-organized charity initiatives.

The Student Government should be the voice of all students and work in their best interest. Unfortunately, sometimes the Student Government becomes too isolated and disconnected from the real problems students face.

• Support in complaints, fighting mobbing:
  Throughout our work, we have heard reports of cases where students’ rights were allegedly not respected enough. Complaints about instructors got stuck on deans’ and rectors’ desks. Instructors removed from teaching who, for unclear reasons, were reinstated. Administration that creates problems for students instead of helping them. A vote for OKS is a vote for a Student Government that will be present in all such cases, firmly defending students.
  
• The Student Government represents students!
  The Student Government is not there to represent the deans’ and rectors’ authorities to the students. Nor is it there to act as a neutral mediator between students and the university authorities. The Student Government represents students and should always side with them, acting on their behalf and for their benefit. It cannot ignore real student problems or support university authorities in their conflicts with protesting students. In controversial matters, it should investigate what students want, rather than bury its head in the sand.