NEW TO ZHdK? (OR HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE?): HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!
ZHdK has put together the key answers for all new students starting out, from workshops and the cafeteria to exchange semesters. We from VERSO are in there too, explaining how you can get involved and have your say, for example, at a student assembly in your department. You’ll also find out where to turn with questions about your studies or discriminatory situations, and that we students get free entry to the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich. Worth a look, even if you’ve been around for a while: Das musst du wissen!
STUDENT ADVICE: YOUR POINT OF CONTACT FOR ALL STUDY-RELATED MATTERS
Got questions about exchange, the major-minor system, migration and visas, or just don’t know who to ask? The Student Advice team is there for all students. You’ll find them in room 3.T07 in the entrance hall, across from the big staircase, next to the wooden benches. Tuesday to Thursday, 12.00–15.00, you can just drop by or call, no appointment needed. You can also book a free consultation anytime, online or in person. For more personal topics, there’s a separate room for the conversation. More info: Student Advice
UPDATE ON THE PROJECT FUND
With the new semester, VERSO is reopening the project fund. Every ZHdK student can apply for between CHF 100 and CHF 2,300 for their project; CHF 6,000 is available in total this semester. We’re funding projects that strengthen community, diversity and connection at ZHdK and benefit as many students as possible, whether that’s a performance, exhibition, event, publication or production. Applications are max. two A4 pages plus one page with a detailed budget, sent as a PDF by October 23, 2026 to verso.info@zhdk.ch. The semester council* decides on funding on November 26, 2026. Find all the criteria in the full call on our website.
Projects WE LOVE VELOVE (September 25th 2026) and [around] ALCINA (March 5th 2026)
DO YOU STILL REMEMBER THE CASHBACK?
Organized an apéro for your class? With the EVENT CASHBACK you can get your costs back. Running since last semester, EVENT CASHBACK has already been used by quite a few students. There’ll be another pot available this year too, so keep taking advantage of it. More info under Cashback.
TAG DES LERNENS:LEHRENS 2026
On November 12, 2026, 08.45–13.00, we’re inviting you to the Toni-Areal (Kunstraum, Level 5) for Tag des Lernens:Lehrens. This year’s focus is on major-minor reflection: the first experiences with the major-minor system are in, and the event offers space to exchange what you’ve learned and what to keep in mind going forward. It’s about meaningful encounters and exchange on the conditions and experiences of learning and teaching.
The day is aimed at everyone involved with majors and minors, from study program heads to teaching staff and research assistants, and of course you, the students. Anyone else interested is warmly welcome too. More info and registration here.
HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY AT THE ZHDK
Amendments to the University charter and the Vice-Rector’s Regulations
From June 18 to August 5, 2026, the new legal foundations of ZHdK were put out for consultation. VERSO, together with the University Assembly, submitted feedback on the University Charter, the Vice-Rectorate Regulations and the Department Regulations. These were actually supposed to be approved by the Fachhochschulrat on September 29. But the whole thing is going another round. Here’s why: §11 of the University Charter governs students’ participation rights at university level, covering the right to submit motions to the HSL, the right to be consulted, and the right to representation in committees. During the consultation, VERSO pushed hard for these rights to remain direct. That means VERSO should be able to submit motions directly to our university’s leadership, rather than through the University Assembly. In its decision on the University Charter on August 19, 2026, the university leadership rejected this proposal. Going forward, consultations, motions and participation at university level would run exclusively through the University Assembly. From our perspective, that’s a clear weakening of student co-determination at ZHdK. That’s why we took it to the Fachhochschulrat, the body that ultimately approves these regulations. The Fachhochschulrat discussed the item on September 29, 2026, and unfortunately couldn’t reach agreement. The approval of both regulations has been pushed to the next meeting. Sorry, not sorry! To get a better picture of the issues we raised in our consultation response, you can read it here.
Pilot project to strengthen the Solidarity Fund
The suspension of tuition fee partial waivers, rising costs of living, and a likely increase in tuition fees are putting growing pressure on both international and Swiss students. The Fondation ZHdK’s Solidarity Fund supports students facing acute financial hardship, such as illness, losing a side job, or family difficulties. For many, this support decides whether they can continue their studies. Last week we sent, together with the Fondation ZHdK, a letter about this. VERSO wants to strengthen the fund and is asking for your support, as a clear sign of solidarity and togetherness at ZHdK.
DKV Structural Review
The University Assembly (HSV) submitted a request to the university leadership for access to the interim results of the structural review. These interim results were presented to the HSL at this year’s retreat by econcept. The request was denied. Staff and student representatives of DKV received access to an excerpt of the results.
NATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY
After a long summer break, the VSS** is back in full swing, with a fresh new co-presidency: Isabelle Birkhäuser and Alexia Giroud Nyer.
Summer wasn’t just about rest; sections across Switzerland sent sunny postcard greetings as a reminder of the ongoing fight against tuition fee increases, which is still very much on the table.
But there’s good news too: after a decades-long fight, the Council of States voted YES on Erasmus+ on September 30. In winter 2027, the National Council will hold the final vote on Switzerland’s reassociation with Erasmus+.
As many of you may have already heard, students and school pupils across France are currently protesting for better conditions in schools, particularly in lycées (upper secondary schools). In response, the VSS has published a statement expressing its solidarity and support for students and school pupils.
You can read the full statement here.
VERSO-KOSMOS
VERSO MEMBERS’ AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
On October 29 at 18.00 in 5.K11, VERSO’s members’ and general assembly takes place. We’re looking forward to connecting directly with as many students as possible and introducing you to our current student council. We’ll also be presenting and deciding on some important documents for our work in the big plenary. Come on out and enjoy some waffles and the first Glühwein of the season!
OPEN OFFICE
Our VERSO office on the 5th floor (5.B10) is open to all students at set times. Come by! We’re happy to help with whatever’s on your mind, and we love hearing your input. You’re also always welcome to just chill on our couch and have a chat.
Plus, you can borrow all kinds of stuff from us: board games, kitchen gadgets (waffle iron, sandwich maker, hot plates), even our big fridge. Just drop by, ask, sign it out, and enjoy your waffle-making, board-game, cold-drinks night!
Open office hours are Tuesdays, 16.00–19.00. You’ll also always find them on our VERSO-V in the entrance hall and on our Instapage.
Updates from the departments
VDDK: Save the date: 8.10 at 18.00; the general assembly takes place! There’ll be pizza and new elections. A few VERSO seats are opening, so if you’re into getting involved in university politics and shaping up real change in DDK, think about it. We’re planning to publish the results of our “Student Strain” mini study by the end of the year. Stay tuned!
VDFA: Over at DFA, we’re deep in planning for our semester exhibition. Stay tuned! The open call will land in your inbox soon, so keep an eye out; we can’t wait to see your submissions.
VDKV: On September 22, the DKV student assembly took place. We elected three new members! A warm welcome to Ché Blomfield, Lola Renner and Jan Käser in VERSO DKV! On September 18, the semester kick-off party also took place on the 7th floor ramp. There were free drinks, good music and one very special, exclusive party game: “Cards Against ZHdK”!
VDMU: Since the election assembly on October 1, VERSO DMU’s board is back to full strength, and we’re excited to start the semester with the whole team. We kicked things off in September with the Drink Shack, welcoming new students on opening day. Thanks to everyone who came by! Next up, this Friday, October 9, at 17.00, is our traditional Fall BBQ on the terrace: a great chance to meet people from all programs and ring in autumn together. And soon we’ll be sharing more about our upcoming Halloween event. Keep your eyes and ears open!
VDDE: We’ve been quiet over the summer break and are ready to kick off the semester. Get all excited for the upcoming Halloween party.
Staff updates and changes to the Student Council
This newsletter also brings an important change to the team. We warmly welcome Jan Käser from the Master’s in Art Education, and we’re looking forward to the fresh perspective.
One more burst of energy now, until we can all enjoy the sun together again soon. Feel free to reach out to us anytime.
Over and out,
VERSO🦆💜
Glossary
*Semester Council: Alongside the Students’ Council, the Semester Council is one of our most important bodies within the VERSO organisation. With 30 members from all five departments, it is also our largest inter-departmental working group. The Semester Council meets twice per semester.
**VSS: The Swiss Student Union (VSS) is the national umbrella organisation for student representative bodies in Switzerland and advocates for students’ interests at the national political level.
