END-OF-SEMESTER DRINKS ON 11 JUNE 2026 AT TZWUB (MEETING POINT AT THE MEADOW UNDER THE BRIDGE) 

It’s been a long time since any VERSO parties have taken place. This summer, the time has finally come! For the end-of-semester sprint, the “Burst Your Bubble” event is planning a reception in collaboration with the Art Education Bachelor’s programme. It kicks off at 6 pm with DJ sets and special drinks such as Pink Grapefruit Paloma and Strawberry Spritz, accompanied by snacks and sweet treats. The drinks are free.  

We’re looking forward to a fun evening full of new encounters, great conversations and hot beats! (You’ll see some VERSO members behind the decks ;)) 

This was the TONINO APÉRO 

Have you also been wondering all along what happened to Chez Toni and why it’s now called Bistro Tonino?  

Last year, the ZFV’s (Zurich Women’s Association) contract to run the canteens at the Toni expired, and a new contract had to be put out to tender. The ZFV won the call for tenders and is therefore still responsible for catering at the Toni. As part of this successful bid, the former Chez Toni was transformed into Bistro Tonino, with a revised menu (pinsa or pasta, all organic), new furnishings and table service via app ordering.  

We appreciate that the ZFV put a lot of thought into the redesign, but we feel that these changes do not meet students’ expectations of a canteen. We have received numerous comments that the new concept is more like a restaurant than a canteen and therefore does not create a student-friendly space, but rather has the vibe of a ‘professors’ canteen’. The reduced selection of dishes is also not to everyone’s liking, as pasta, for example, is already a regular feature on many students’ menus. We also miss the communal long benches where people used to like to meet at Chez Toni for a coffee or to work together. Individual small tables are far less inviting and practical, even if they look lovely and could theoretically be pushed together.  

The ZFV has also noticed the lower uptake of the new Bistro Tonino and therefore invited all students to a get-together on 28 May 2026. We were delighted by the invitation, but unfortunately the turnout from the student side was extremely low. Nevertheless, we were able to raise our previously mentioned criticisms of the Bistro Tonino concept and, for example, suggest a few improvements to the food offering. Furthermore, the ZFV stated that Bistro Tonino is by no means intended to be an upmarket restaurant and that students are explicitly invited to study and have a coffee there in the afternoons. Furthermore, Bistro Tonino can be hired free of charge in the evenings for events of any kind, provided that drinks are consumed on the premises.  

We also raised the issue of the price structure in the canteens and bistros at Toni, which is quite high for students, but were informed that a price reduction is not possible due to the use of organic products (sustainability guidelines from ZHdK). The changed categorisation of the various dishes (Daily, Simple and Exquisit) in the Molki canteen was also a source of complaints from students. It was pointed out here that the ‘Daily’ option is not always automatically vegetarian/vegan, and that the former ‘Exquisit’ menu has now moved to the self-service area.  

We were delighted with the ZFV’s efforts and the open and friendly dialogue, and hope that the students’ concerns can be addressed even more effectively through more regular dialogue in future. 

Don’t forget to step by the VERSO-V in the entrance hall. Here you’ll always find the latest information on Verso, events and stickers. Or feel free to come by the VERSO office. This semester, we’ll be holding our final open walk-in office session on 3 June 2026, all day (9am–5pm). 

SCHOOL POLITICS AT THE ZHDK

PILOT PROJECT TO STRENGTHEN THE SOLIDARITY FUND 

VERSO is working with the Fondation ZHdK on a pilot project to strengthen the Solidarity Fund. This initiative comes against the backdrop of the suspension of tuition fee waivers, as well as the increasing financial burden on many students due to rising living costs and the likely increase in tuition fees. International students in particular often face significant financial and organisational challenges. The Solidarity Fund supports students in acute financial emergencies, such as illness, the loss of a part-time job or family difficulties. For many, this support determines whether they can continue their studies. Through this collaboration, VERSO and the Fondation ZHdK aim to help ensure that this vital service is maintained in the long term and benefits as many students as possible. 

Focustopic: STRESS AND BURNOUT AMONG STUDENTS 

Student stress was a key topic of discussion on several occasions. The debate was addressed, on the one hand, through the analysis and in-depth research carried out by individual students, and on the other, through an exchange workshop organised by the Semester Council or a public discussion event. On 12 March 2026, the student representatives from all five departments discussed causes and possible solutions at the Semester Council. The insights gained from this contribute to the current discussions surrounding the major-minor study model and quality assurance at ZHdK. Other sub-topics discussed included regular surveys on student wellbeing, greater transparency regarding workload and attendance requirements, the expansion of part-time study options, and the creation of quiet and quietude spaces. Above all, VERSO draws the university’s attention to the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the structural pressures of the degree programme. Some department-specific measures, such as surveys, have since been carried out on our own initiative. These are currently being analysed and evaluated so that we can subsequently present the findings to our students in a respectful manner. You can find the full report here: https://www.verso-verso.org/news-unterseite/bericht-belastung-im-studium 

CONTRIBUTION TO THE SPACE UTILISATION PROJECT 

The issue of premises at the ZHdK is also a topic of discussion this semester. As part of a workshop organised by FM and Services on future space utilisation, VERSO drafted a ‘letter from the future’ setting out its vision for the Toni-Areal in 2035. The focus was on student-relevant concerns such as quiet spaces, communal kitchens, interdisciplinary studios, improved workshops and a decentralised presence of lecturers. At the same time, it became clear that there are already urgent spatial challenges today: for instance, the MA Theatre currently has no adequate space of its own, and students on the MA Art Education in Critical Social Practice have no studio on the Toni-Areal. From VERSO’s perspective, suitable studio, rehearsal and work spaces must first be secured for all degree programmes. Only on this basis can the university begin to develop bold and forward-looking spatial visions together with students. 

We will stay on top of this and do our best to ensure that the interests of all students across the various departments are brought into the focus of the development. 

VERSO IN THE MEDIA: THE MASTER’S IN TRANSDISCIPLINARITY  

The drama surrounding the Master’s in Transdisciplinarity is entering the next phase. A few weeks ago, the Zurich student newspaper published an article on the MTR under the title ‘When degree programmes become too political’. Unfortunately, the article contained several inaccuracies, including the claim that the MTR is due to be discontinued in December 2026. This is not true. There is currently no decision in place to discontinue the programme. We don’t want to celebrate too soon, but it does indeed currently look as though the MTR will definitely be able to continue (according to the latest information available to us). 

STRUCTURAL EVALUATION OF THE DKV 

At the end of March, the university management provided information to the university community regarding the structural evaluation of the DKV. VERSO takes a very critical view to this planned review. We have therefore submitted a statement to the university management internally. From a student perspective, we currently see no urgent need to question an existing, functioning structure, especially when the major-minor study model is in far greater and more urgent need of review. 

NATIONAL SCHOOL POLITICS 

VSS ASSEMBLY OF DELEGATES 

On 2 and 3 May, the 187th Assembly of Delegates of the Association of Swiss Student Unions (VSS**) took place in Neuchâtel. Sita Peiler (former Co-President), Lucia Albanese and Juliette Heiniger represented the students of the ZHdK at the event. You can find further information about the Delegates’ Assembly at: https://vss-unes.ch/organe/ 

We documented the weekend from our perspective for you on our Instagram channel @verso_zhdk. Do have a look at the ‘VSS’ highlight!  

We are absolutely delighted that Sita Peiler was elected to the VSS Executive Committee at this event and wish our former Co-President all the best in her new role. Thank you so much for continuing to stand up for students! 

VERSO also remains strongly opposed to the planned doubling of tuition fees at the cantonal level. 

VERSO-COSMOS

WHO ACTUALLY IS THE VERSO CO-PRESIDIUM?? 

Juliette Heiniger (Bachelor of Fine Arts) and Lucia Albanese (Master of Art Education) currently represent students across the whole of ZHdK on the VERSO Co-Presidium.