Dear Students,
Dear University members,
Shortly before Christmas, we had the opportunity to witness how a meaningful debate can take place online. Over 120 participants attended the online event on the "Shenzhen International School of Design”. The participants discussed and debated the topic actively. Although, for many, the event generated more questions than answers, it still permitted participants to voice their concerns and to open the discussion. We consider such large-scale discussions to be extremely important, especially when addressing topics as complex and as controversial as ZHdK's involvement in China. We remain committed to following up on the issue.
We wish you all a successful and exciting 2021!
VERSO
CONTENTS:
DISCUSSION EVENT ON SISD IN CHINA
VERSO PROJECT FUND
BILINGUALISM
STUDENTS AND THE CORONA SITUATION
PLENARY MEETING & GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SEMESTER ASSEMBLY 16
CHANGES IN THE STUDENT COUNCIL & NEW CO-PRESIDIUM
DATES
DISCUSSION EVENT ON SISD IN CHINA
The School of Design and Architecture (SISD), which ZHdK plans to establish in Shenzhen in cooperation with the Chinese Harbin Institute of Technology and two other European universities, has already caused quite a stir at ZHdK. On December 14th, 2020, a discussion event initiated by the university assembly took place. Representatives from the students, the mid-tier faculty, the lecturers, and the staff spoke at length about the ethical responsibility of ZHdK in the Chinese context. The discussion revolved around the question of how and whether ZHdK can operate in a country where human rights are systematically violated, and freedom of teaching and research is repeatedly denied. VERSO would like to thank in particular Rector Thomas D. Meier and the Head of the Department of Design, Hansuli Matter, for taking on the critical questions from the panel and the audience.
Die Fragen und Bemerkungen aus dem Chat wurden gesammelt und sollen in aufbereiteter Form an die Hochschulleitung übergeben werden.
VERSO PROJECT FUND
In the workshops, Chez Toni, and in the corridors we have heard whispers about new upcoming projects. We would once again like to draw your attention to the VERSO Project Fund: All ZHdK students can apply to VERSO with their projects for funding. Funding is available for events, activities, projects, publications and productions that benefit a larger part of the ZHdK student body. A minimum of 5000 Swiss francs are available per semester. The criteria for funding eligibility as well as information on the process can be found on our website.
BILINGUALISM
In order to reach all ZHdK students, VERSO is working towards a more bilingual communication in German and English. Our website is now available in English, as is most of our communication via email. By extending our communication, we would like to invite non-German speaking students to participate and get involved in university matters. Furthermore, VERSO is responding to ZHdK's new language concept, in which the university has stated a clear commitment to bilingualism. VERSO demands for all university communication, and in particular the intranet, to be consistently available in both languages. When this is not the case, communication should be updated to include both languages.
STUDENTS AND THE CORONA SITUATION
Mit dem Zugang zum Toni-Areal sowie der Möglichkeit des hybriden Unterrichtes haben sich die Bedingungen im Herbstsemester im Vergleich zum Frühlingssemester wesentlich verbessert. VERSO konnte auch in diesem Semester durch die Einsitze in den zwei relevanten Gremien (Epidemie/Pandemie-Stab und Koordinationsgruppe digitaler Unterricht) laufend die Bedürfnisse der Studierenden einbringen.
With VERSO's cooperation, an informative report was issued to evaluate the student FS2020 Digital Setting survey. The report provides important recommendations for action to the departments and university management. VERSO is asking for this report to be taken into account in the planning of FS2021.
Despite improvements in some areas, the situation still remains difficult for students. The financial situation remains particularly difficult for many. In addition, there is a danger of loneliness and isolation, which particularly affects first-semester students. VERSO would like to remind students that they have access to psychological and financial counselling services offered by ZHdK. hin.
VERSO continues to ask all students to contact verso.info@zhdk.ch directly with any concerns, problems or requests.
PLENARY MEETING & GENERAL ASSEMBLY
On December 5th, VERSO and VSZHDK held their first plenary meeting and general assembly under the new articles of association and rules of procedure. At the VERSO plenary meeting (Vollversammlung), a new mission statement was adopted. Our new mission statement can be viewed publicly on our website öffentlich einsehbar.
An der Mitgliederversammlung des VSZHDK wurde die Jahresrechnung, der Revisionsbericht, das Budget für das laufende Geschäftsjahr und der Jahresbericht präsentiert und von den Anwesenden gutgeheissen. Zudem wurde eine Statutenänderung zu der Zusammensetzung des Vereinsvorstands vorgenommen und das Finanzreglement und das Reglement für den Projektfonds verabschiedet. Der Vorstand des VSZHDK wurde von der Mitgliederversammlung entlastet.
SEMESTER ASSEMBLY 16
This semester marked the sixteenth edition of the VERSO Semester Council. The Semester Council takes place twice a semester and consists of six representatives from each department. Fynn Malte Schmitt (DDK) and Soraya Thashima Rutschmann (DFA) were elected to chair the Semester Council for the first time. The chairs are responsible for planning and chairing future meetings. After the Semester Council a workshop was also held to examine VERSO's communication.
CHANGES IN THE STUDENT COUNCIL & NEW CO-PRESIDIUM
Wieder haben uns in diesem Semester vier Mitglieder des Studierendenrats verlassen. Bastian Riesen aus dem DKV, zuletzt als Co-Präsident tätig sowie Samuel Schmitt (DMU), Helena Klein (DDE) und Jonathan Steiger (DFA) haben sich aus dem Studierendenrat von VERSO verabschiedet. Für das DDE wurde Natasha Sebben, im DKV Noé Freuler und für das DFA Loris Brasser neu in den Studierendenrat gewählt. Den Scheidenden danken wir herzlich für ihre tolle Arbeit und wünschen den Neuen viel Erfolg mit ihrer Aufgabe!
Bastians Position im Co-Präsidium wird von Soraya Thashima Rutschmann (DFA) übernommen. Soraya studiert im dritten Semester des Bachelor Fine Arts und wird VERSO zusammen mit dem bisherigen Co-Präsidenten David Bircher (DDK) ab dem 1. Februar führen.
IMPORTANT DATES
11.03.21, 18:00 Semester Assembly 17
16.05.21, 18:00 Semester Assembly 18