Stockholm University's International Party (TIP) on Student Housing in the City

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TIP, the second most mandated party in Stockholm University's Studentkår Council, has taken on the issue of student housing city since its inception.  But, despite the party's efforts, being in the minority coalition has prevented any real progress from being made.  The student housing problem in Stockholm continues to regress--for both native and international students--and progress simply is not being made.   

Finding housing in Stockholm is difficult even for the employed native.  It is even more difficult for the native student, and it is slowly becoming near-impossible for the international student.  The percentage of accepted exchange and ERASMUS students that are being offered housing is shrinking, to the point where many are having to rent rooms in youth hostels until they find a decent accommodation. 

Stiftelsen Stockholms Studentbostäder (SSSB) has a system that works for many but excludes many others.  SSSB runs a fairly standard queue system by which any Stockholm student whom is a member of their school's respective student union can accumulate credit days and eventually bid on a student room.  But SSSB's system has not always been this way: as early as last year, one could queue without being a member of a student union and without being enrolled in classes.  

The result?  Many queuers began accumulating days even before their international classmates ever considered studying in Sweden.  It is totally conceivable that a student who begins queueing while in gymnasiet and took some time off before university can have three, four or five times as many days as the international student who begins queueing upon earning acceptance to their Stockholm institution, i.e. usually 6-8 months before the term begins.  

To bring attention to this situation, we, The International Party at Stockholm University, are taking a stand.  In August 2010 we pitched tents at our university and slept in them for nearly two weeks.  We did this to provide temporary shelter for the countless international students who were without housing and to draw attention to their plight.  Things haven't changed much, so we're doing it again for its symbolic meaning.

16 January 2012    

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The Partiombud speaks #1

It's time to give our first report of what we're really up to. We've done a lot since this term's semi-annual meeting and here's a recap of all that's going on. Enjoy!

TIPpers,

This is the first installment of our new, monthly newsletter aptly titled ‘the Partiombud speaks’. As you will recall, a monthly report by the Partiombud was requested by this term’s semi-annual meeting in order to improve the internal information flow, so this is my humble attempt at writing one. Because this is the first issue, I’ll talk a little bit about some things that happened prior to October as well. Here we go!

The second student council (Fullmäktige) of this academic year took place September 29^th. Preparations went well, some of us met up with the Economists a couple of days before to coordinate, consult and discuss issues in general, and the full TIP crew had our pre-game meeting that same day in order to discuss the agenda and coordinate our voting. TIP presented two motions, derived from our platform. It was rumored that these were the first two motions proposed by fullmäktige over the past three years, so TIP is already making a difference. However, after some fairly lively debating, our motion to make SUS pursue climate neutrality as a goal for SU was voted down. The motion to extend the weekly newsletter to all SU students and not just the internationals was also rejected on the grounds that the student union is already working to implement this. Few particulars were offered from the presidents, and Elissa and Katharina, our guys on the board, will surely continue to push for it.

October 3^rd saw the first introduction/recruitment meeting of the year. All of one new person showed up, so there might be room for some improvements in our external communication.

On October 17^th, this term’s semi-annual meeting took place. A new board was elected, consisting of Romulo Pellegrini, Anya Karlsson and Pilvi Saricosqui, presentations of whom will be up on the website shortly. I, Andreas Nordang Uhre, was elected to replace Sebastian as Partiombud. Changes were made to our by-laws, and Elissa Berrill was finally confirmed to replace Raphaelle as our guy on the SUS board. Katharina Huhn takes Elissa’s place as substitute. Huge thanks the outgoing board, partiombud and SUS board members – you’ve done a tremendous job and we’re all grateful!

October 20^th marked another great day in TIPstory, when the SUS board finally confirmed our status as a kårförening. At the moment of writing it’s not entirely clear what this will mean to us apart from making funds available for our many activities during the year and (probably) making it easier for us to book rooms, participate in things etc.

On November 2^nd, the first board meeting with the new board took place, minutes from which is underway and will be up on the website before you know it. This was followed by a motion meeting in preparation for the final student council of 2011, which takes place November 30^th. This means that the last chance to forward motions is November 15^th, so keep the good ideas flowing. A couple of things are in the works, but any and all suggestions are welcome. Let’s keep the pressure up and the debate on campus alive!

Until next time, folks!

Andreas Nordang Uhre

Meeting Season - How you meet your TIP !

Automn semester (höstterminen) means that meeting are coming back !

First Student Union Council (Fullmäktige) of the semester the 29th of september when we will proudly defend our motions : equality among students, transparency and environmental issues. The reason of our creation has roots in this council, now we are working hard to make our aim true !

Then, we have two meetings on different dates in the following weeks, which is more flexible for everyone to make a choice  J

1.       3^rd, October, Monday, 17.00.

The International Party will have a meeting especially for the new people. We want to meet you, hear what you want, know what you need, and listen to your ideas and suggestions.  In here, you can be an active member, or just ordinary member, it is still encouraging if you just want to come in some of our meetings time to time. Remember, everything from you is important for TIP. 

Also, we will invite our TIP Representatives; after a briefly introduction of TIP, you will have a chance to know the TIPPER’s interesting works and experiences. Or even subscribe to a working group ! J   

2.        4th, October, Tuesday. Students Club Expo.   10.00am – 16.00pm.

 If you miss above meetings (or even if you were there), you still have a chance to know TIP. In the Students Club Expo, you can come to our table, we are willing to tell you what we are doing and why we need you.  You can find more information on here:  http://www.sus.su.se/en/activites/club-expo

Hope to see you soon ! For student's sake !

Useful Information of Accommodation for Students!

Warm welcome!!!!

As one of our platform of The International Party, we believe that decent, affordable and accessible student accommodation is a fundamental necessity and a right to every student. If you are looking for an accommodation or having one want to rent out, there are some useful sources of organisations and links below:

Akademisk Kvart: http://www.akademiskkvart.se/

English Version:http://www.akademiskkvart.se/index.php?lang=swe

and

SSCO--- Stockholm Federation of Student Unions: http://www.ssco.se/index.php

English Version:http://www.ssco.se/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2153&Itemid=55

Also on:

http://www.bostad.stockholm.se/sv/?WT.mc_id=ssco

http://www.kistastudentbostader.se/

http://www.studenthemmettempus.se/ and

http://www.vasakronan.se/

You also can find the same information in our facebook page :

The International Party (TIP)

Good Luck!!

The Past, the Present, and the Future

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this.

During the first representative assembly (valfullmäktige) meeting for the newly elected assembly, on the 9th of June, 2011, it was decided that The International Party (TIP) will sit in opposition up until the next Student Union Election of 2012.

The Stockholm University Student Union will for the year of 2011-2012 be lead by President May Al-Boujassam (HumSam) and Vice-President Erik Arroy (S-Studenter). Their two understudies will be titled 2nd Vice-President and will exist of two people selected by the newly elected President and Vice-President. The two selected, are just like Al-Boujassam and Arroy, supporters and current or previous members of the same Swedish political party. That gsame goes for the secretary that was the fifth and final position filled out based on the influence of the newly elected President and Vice-President.

TIP will sit in a 17 seat strong opposition and Al-Boujassam and Arroy will lead a majority coalition of 22 seats along with the parties; Moderata Studenter, Kårpartiet Juridicum, and Gröna Studenter.

So why is not The International Party in a majority coalition? We did get the second most votes, and as party that solely focuses on the students and is not influenced by a political agenda that is formed and stated on a higher more governmental level we look like a party that could attract a lot of interest from all sides of the spectrum. Well, the answer to this is not simple to explain or to understand but to narrow it down briefly I can tell you this; to gain personal winnings several people crossed their own political outlook and opinions while going totally against previous promises. This was done to reach personal positions instead of working to strengthen their party and organization. Who didn’t say that politics was a dirty game?!

Anyway, as partiombud of TIP at the time of negotiations and during the election I feel it is my obligation to give our members, our voters, and everyone else interested an explanation on what happened and of the current situation we are now faced with.

However I will not pin point down exact actions of certain individuals, which in my opinion have acted completely false and egotistic between the time of election and the first representative assembly meeting, here on the internet. Because as you all know, people change, and sometimes for the better, and it would hurt me, just as much as it would hurt them, if a blog entry written by myself turned out to be devastating for someone that in their later life could turn out to be a good human being that could and would do great things for our society.
If you are eager to hear more information on how the negotiation proceedings went along, and so forth, you can contact me personally or join up for the next TIP meeting.

I will finish this blog by pointing out some interesting things:
- S-Studenter (Socialdemokraterna) are now sitting in a majority coalition with support from Moderata Studenter (Moderaterna). This coalition was actually supported by two people of VSF (Vänsterpartiet).
- 2010-2011 years majority coalition will almost be intact excluding Ekonomerna.
- Last year (2010-2011) HumSam was the only party in the majority coalition that did not get a position within the Student Union. This year HumSam, even though they only got 227 votes, were given the President spot. The current president of SUS received a total of 21 personal votes. Elissa Berrill, current Student Union board supplant, of TIP, received 36
- This year’s Student Union board has been minimized, by the majority coalition, to seven seats. This to minimize the influence of Ekonomerna and TIP, the two parties that received the most votes.
- The new speaker of the house (talman) was voted in by the majority coalition and is a member of the same political party as the newly elected President and Vice-President.
- Former Vice-President of SUS will next year sit in the board of Sveriges Förenade Studentkårer (SFS). He was voted in by, among others, the newly elected President and Vice-President of SUS.
- Several of the partiombuds are close friends with each other, and in my opinion, this highly influenced the outcome of the negotiations.

Before I leave you all I would like to state some great news.
As a result of the work we have done an international student will during 2011-2012 sit as one out of seven people, in the Student Union Board. This is the first time this has ever happened. TIP will also have one supplant to the board.
TIP will have one person placed in Election Board Committee as well.

I will from the first of August start to work at the communication department of Stockholm University and due to this I can no longer act as partiombud of The International Party (TIP). It is not due to lack of time or interest, but rather due to a conflict of interest that I feel the only path to take here is to step down from my position.

I have had such an amazing time with everyone involved and I feel that I have gained so much insight from all of you. Together we have founded an organization that seek for the better of all people, regardless of where you are from, what languages you speak, what religion you follow, or what cultural background you have. If we look at what state the world is in right now I think that we are and have been acting very prominently and preventive towards the future and what is ahead of us.

I cannot wish to be part of any other student organization here in Stockholm and I am very proud and happy with what we have accomplished over the past five months.

Now it is time for the party to work towards our aims and goals, even though we are in opposition. It will not be easy, but nothing is. I am sure we can make it happen. We can make great things happen. Just this organizations plain existence is living proof of that.

With more preparation, more manpower, and more energy I am sure that TIP will come back stronger than ever when the spring sun finds its way to the Frescati Campus next time.

For now, so long, thank you all and good luck.

Sebastian Lindholm
(Lindholm will act as partiombud of The International Party (TIP) until the TIP board has selected a replacement for him.)

Thanks for all of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We made it!!!!! The International Party and all the supporters of TIP!

1st July, 2011, in the fiscal year's first Board meeting of Stockholm University Student Union, we had an international student in the Board. This is the first time for the TIP, and also the first time in the Stockholm University;

The International Party expresses its sincere grateful feeling to everyone who voted and supported TIP. We could not have made that without you.

Get ready and keep being involved in TIP activities, with your support TIP will continuously keep to defend its goals and revendications platform for ALL the students in Stockholm University.  

Everyone interested is welcome, don't miss out!

The Semi-Annual meeting is the perfect place to get to know more about TIP, and if you feel like it - get involved. 

During the meeting we will elect a new Board of Directors (as stated in § 4 in our by-laws: http://vote4tip.blogspot.com/p/constitution.html). We will also look into who will represent TIP in the board of Stockholm University Student Union.

It is very important to find people for these positions so please tell all your friends who you think would be interested. It is not required that you are already a member of TIP.

We welcome all current members as well as everyone curious about The International Party. 

Hope to see you all at Restaurant Professorn, Lappis on Monday - 18:00!

Negotiations are underway

Greetings fellow TIP members and everyone else following our blog and our student party from across the world.

As partiombud of TIP I feel it is my responsibility to let you all know what is going on at the moment.

The Student Union Election results were finalized over a week ago and since Monday the 16th of May the different parties that received seats in the Student Union Council, have been in negotiations for the upcoming year and the upcoming student council meeting that will occur on June 9th. On this student council meeting the 41 seats that define the student union council will be filled with persons that were selected to sit there based on the election results. TIP received 7 seats and will therefore contribute with seven people.

During this student council meeting the Student Union Board will also be formed and this board will exist of at least 7 people. Depending of the size of the board TIP will be represented in it based on the D´hont method, so it will all depend on how many people sit in the board. The President and the Vice-President are also included in the Student Union Board.

However, to select a President and Vice-President, and a Student Union Board, a coalition of at least 21 seats needs to be formed. This 21 or +21 seat coalition is called a majority coalition and will also be the coalition that sits down and works out a strategic plan as well as a budget plan.

As of now negotiations are underway and the different partiombuds’ of each party meet and discuss possible outcomes and possible coalition formations, with different demands and insights, of course.

Do you have any questions about what is going on at the moment? Feel free to send me an email or we can discuss your inquiries further on the upcoming TIP-meeting on May the 30th.

Sebastian Lindholm
Partiombud

We thank you with all of our hearts. Please welcome your new team!

We love you - all of you.

As you can imagine, after 2 1/2 months of hard work, building a new party for Stockholm University, we're without much words after the incredible election results. :) Last night at 7 something PM at Nobelhuset, with the company of all members of every party, the election results were presented in style. We didn't have any expectations, but as you can see, your voices came through. We're going to need the weekend to soak everything in, and we'll come back with a summary of our experiences and hopes for TIP in the 2011-2012 student council.

We thank those that took the time to vote for us. We thank all of those that truly thought about their decision when voting. We thank everyone who supported us with their words, warmth and advice. We thank everyone that participated.

We didn't have much of a budget, we did it without giving away any incentives, we did it without years of experience or a base: we did it with your voices, your ideas, and a whole lot of energy!

We are extremely delighted to introduce the new SUS Team 2011-2012 that will represent all of you in next year's student council. There is a good lot of 41 student council members that are excited to work hard as a team for the interests of you all and for the greater good of the university.

View the entire 2011 Student Union Election results HERE.

WE CONGRATULATE ALL OF YOU!

TIP on Social and Communications

TIP representatives Kyle Verboomen, Sebastian Lindholm & Kseniia Beznos on the topic of Social and Communications and what TIP plans to do to help. Go here to read more about our platform goals.