Statement on the handling of the stabilization initiative of the HSL
Statement on the handling of the stabilization initiative of the HSL
Statement on the handling of the stabilization initiative of the HSL
December 20, 2024
December 20, 2024
December 20, 2024
Position Paper
Position Paper
VERSO
VERSO
VERSO
Dear students Dear university administration Based on the newsletter sent by ZHdK on December 19, 2024, the university administration has informed us about its budget for 2025 and the resulting measures from the stabilization initiative. We at VERSO do not agree with the measures that have been decided. The manner of decision-making, the communication to the students and members of the university, as well as the dissemination of half-information, are perceived as signs that the concerns and worries of the students are not being taken seriously. At this point, we would like to inform the students about our commitment regarding the stabilization initiative and urge the university administration to communicate clearly and transparently and to revise certain measures.
Dear students Dear university administration Based on the newsletter sent by ZHdK on December 19, 2024, the university administration has informed us about its budget for 2025 and the resulting measures from the stabilization initiative. We at VERSO do not agree with the measures that have been decided. The manner of decision-making, the communication to the students and members of the university, as well as the dissemination of half-information, are perceived as signs that the concerns and worries of the students are not being taken seriously. At this point, we would like to inform the students about our commitment regarding the stabilization initiative and urge the university administration to communicate clearly and transparently and to revise certain measures.
Dear students Dear university administration Based on the newsletter sent by ZHdK on December 19, 2024, the university administration has informed us about its budget for 2025 and the resulting measures from the stabilization initiative. We at VERSO do not agree with the measures that have been decided. The manner of decision-making, the communication to the students and members of the university, as well as the dissemination of half-information, are perceived as signs that the concerns and worries of the students are not being taken seriously. At this point, we would like to inform the students about our commitment regarding the stabilization initiative and urge the university administration to communicate clearly and transparently and to revise certain measures.
PROCESS OF THE STABILIZATION PROCESS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF VERSO
According to statements from yesterday's newsletter, the communication of the stabilization initiative began in the summer with an informational event. We are not aware of any public invitation to all students for this informational event, nor were we invited to this event by the student organization VERSO. Until today, the information for students has not been adequately addressed in any comparable manner, as suggested by the newsletter.
In October 2024, we caught wind of a night closure at the ZHdK; we were not officially informed. We immediately responded with a position paper to the university's management and communicated it to all students via newsletter this week. As a result of our position paper, our co-presidium was invited to a meeting with the university management, where they presented the planned budget cuts for the services area. In this meeting, we could express ourselves on individual topics but could neither make decisions nor contribute our own proposals. Subsequently, we demanded from the university management to be included in the processes so that we could react when certain measures become more concrete. With yesterday's newsletter, the students, as well as we, were confronted with established facts.
COMMUNICATION
We are not satisfied with the university management's communication regarding the stabilization measures. Neither the students nor we were adequately informed about the process by VERSO. The communication is characterized by a lack of transparency, uncertainties, and vague statements. The timing of sending the newsletter just before the holidays has made it practically impossible for students to respond directly and to have discussions until the next semester.
Specifically, we would like to address the communication of the three measures that most affect the students. These measures are:
the reduction of psychological counseling from 5 to 3 hours,
the abolishment of the tuition fee waiver
and the night closure of the Toni area and Gessnerallee.
The newsletter sent regarding the budget cuts is neither complete nor clearly formulated concerning these topics. The upcoming night closure and the abolishment of the tuition fee waiver are not mentioned at all. The reduction in the service of psychological counseling is advertised in a second chapter independent of the budget adjustment as a free service. It is only upon closer reading that it can be discerned that this is a cut in service.
In the case of abolishing the tuition fee waiver, the communication is even more questionable: according to an email we received, no requests can be accepted for the year 2025, and a reorientation of financial support for students in financially precarious situations is being examined. This is not addressed in the newsletter under either the current or the future planned measures.
To communicate such significant changes for students in such a fragmented manner, we find not only to be non-transparent but simply unfair. We desire a clear, concrete, and honest communication to all students regarding the measures that concern them directly. That VERSO has to inform about these measures at this point is a mark of shame.
PROCESS OF THE STABILIZATION PROCESS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF VERSO
According to statements from yesterday's newsletter, the communication of the stabilization initiative began in the summer with an informational event. We are not aware of any public invitation to all students for this informational event, nor were we invited to this event by the student organization VERSO. Until today, the information for students has not been adequately addressed in any comparable manner, as suggested by the newsletter.
In October 2024, we caught wind of a night closure at the ZHdK; we were not officially informed. We immediately responded with a position paper to the university's management and communicated it to all students via newsletter this week. As a result of our position paper, our co-presidium was invited to a meeting with the university management, where they presented the planned budget cuts for the services area. In this meeting, we could express ourselves on individual topics but could neither make decisions nor contribute our own proposals. Subsequently, we demanded from the university management to be included in the processes so that we could react when certain measures become more concrete. With yesterday's newsletter, the students, as well as we, were confronted with established facts.
COMMUNICATION
We are not satisfied with the university management's communication regarding the stabilization measures. Neither the students nor we were adequately informed about the process by VERSO. The communication is characterized by a lack of transparency, uncertainties, and vague statements. The timing of sending the newsletter just before the holidays has made it practically impossible for students to respond directly and to have discussions until the next semester.
Specifically, we would like to address the communication of the three measures that most affect the students. These measures are:
the reduction of psychological counseling from 5 to 3 hours,
the abolishment of the tuition fee waiver
and the night closure of the Toni area and Gessnerallee.
The newsletter sent regarding the budget cuts is neither complete nor clearly formulated concerning these topics. The upcoming night closure and the abolishment of the tuition fee waiver are not mentioned at all. The reduction in the service of psychological counseling is advertised in a second chapter independent of the budget adjustment as a free service. It is only upon closer reading that it can be discerned that this is a cut in service.
In the case of abolishing the tuition fee waiver, the communication is even more questionable: according to an email we received, no requests can be accepted for the year 2025, and a reorientation of financial support for students in financially precarious situations is being examined. This is not addressed in the newsletter under either the current or the future planned measures.
To communicate such significant changes for students in such a fragmented manner, we find not only to be non-transparent but simply unfair. We desire a clear, concrete, and honest communication to all students regarding the measures that concern them directly. That VERSO has to inform about these measures at this point is a mark of shame.
ACTIONS
The upcoming actions have serious consequences for students, especially for those in precarious financial or health situations. We are against the three measures mentioned above and believe that other solutions can be found to bring the self-inflicted financial situation of the university back into balance.
The reduction in the number of sessions for psychological services is severe. The waiting times for long-term psychological care often amount to several months, and due to the widespread high insurance deductibles among students, this comes with burdensome costs. A low-threshold and broad offering from the university is supportive in this regard and serves to bridge this period. The cuts primarily affect students in difficult situations, and we should not skimp on them in these present times. We find the statement expressed in the newsletter, “The experience of both institutions has shown that the need for counseling can often be covered with just two sessions,” to be absurd and incomprehensible out of context.
Regarding the nighttime closure, we adhere to our position paper. Since the university has not informed about it and also does not list it as a future measure, we assume that there will be no nighttime closure. Anything else would be highly confusing.
Zurich, as one of the richest cities in the world, poses a significant financial challenge for many students. The university administration is also aware of this issue, which is why we do not understand why the abolition of the tuition fee waiver is not being urgently avoided. There is nothing per se against an alternative and a more efficient system in the interest of the students. However, we consider it grossly negligent to abolish the existing system before the introduction of a new one. In light of the impending tuition fee increases, the university needs a system that also enables people in financially precarious situations to study at this university.
We at VERSO want to actively contribute to shaping our university together. We understand that the university needs to stabilize its financial situation and are ready to seek solutions together. However, we rely on transparent communication from the university administration towards the students for this. A failed financial policy at the leadership level should not come at the expense of students and their education.
The Student Council of VERSO
ACTIONS
The upcoming actions have serious consequences for students, especially for those in precarious financial or health situations. We are against the three measures mentioned above and believe that other solutions can be found to bring the self-inflicted financial situation of the university back into balance.
The reduction in the number of sessions for psychological services is severe. The waiting times for long-term psychological care often amount to several months, and due to the widespread high insurance deductibles among students, this comes with burdensome costs. A low-threshold and broad offering from the university is supportive in this regard and serves to bridge this period. The cuts primarily affect students in difficult situations, and we should not skimp on them in these present times. We find the statement expressed in the newsletter, “The experience of both institutions has shown that the need for counseling can often be covered with just two sessions,” to be absurd and incomprehensible out of context.
Regarding the nighttime closure, we adhere to our position paper. Since the university has not informed about it and also does not list it as a future measure, we assume that there will be no nighttime closure. Anything else would be highly confusing.
Zurich, as one of the richest cities in the world, poses a significant financial challenge for many students. The university administration is also aware of this issue, which is why we do not understand why the abolition of the tuition fee waiver is not being urgently avoided. There is nothing per se against an alternative and a more efficient system in the interest of the students. However, we consider it grossly negligent to abolish the existing system before the introduction of a new one. In light of the impending tuition fee increases, the university needs a system that also enables people in financially precarious situations to study at this university.
We at VERSO want to actively contribute to shaping our university together. We understand that the university needs to stabilize its financial situation and are ready to seek solutions together. However, we rely on transparent communication from the university administration towards the students for this. A failed financial policy at the leadership level should not come at the expense of students and their education.
The Student Council of VERSO
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All ZHdK students receive the newsletter automatically. If you do not receive the newsletter, you are welcome to subscribe to it here.
Nov 24
Newsletter
General Assembly, statements, information event and more
Sep 15
Newsletter
EP27, stabilization initiative, question students, etc...
More articles
Nov 24
Newsletter
General Assembly, statements, information event and more
Sep 15
Newsletter
EP27, stabilization initiative, question students, etc...