Sefa Student Party
Click on any motion below to see the parties explination
It is the government’s responsibility to provide mental health support for students. Therefore, the university should not spend extra resources on this
Fully disagree
This question is misleading. You can favor against and in favor of it, as you want to see it. The fact of the matter is that the Dutch government does not provide sufficient mental health support for students and it is not as accessible as it is at a University. So it becomes the responsibility of the University to provide mental health support. Demand is clearly there since the waiting times at the UvA student psychologists are approximately 4 weeks, which we deem unacceptable. Therefore we advocate for more investment in terms of Mental Health.
The university should stop the prioritisation of students from outside the EU in regard to university provided student housing.
Agree
The UvA should offer free menstrual products at each campus
Fully agree
The Sefa Student Party considers access to menstruation products to be a fundamental human right. Menstruating people's health and well-being can suffer as a result of a lack of access to menstrual products.
Moreover, the Sefa Student Party recognizes that the cost of menstrual products can be a financial burden for many students, particularly those from low-income families. This financial strain can contribute to student poverty and make it difficult for students to fully participate in academic and social activities.
Overall, the Sefa Student Party feels that the university's free provision of menstruation products is an important step toward ensuring that all students have equal access to education and can fully engage in campus life.
The UvA should cut ties with fossil fuel companies like Shell
Neutral
More investment is needed in interdisciplinary education (providing students with more than just one perspective on a particular subject, such as honours, PPLE or IIS programs)
Disagree
The number of international students in a council should be representative of the number of international students within a faculty, or the University (same for Dutch students).
Fully disagree
The UvA should address problems such as systemic overwork and bad working conditions among its teachers by giving out more permanent contracts.
Fully agree
All lectures should be available online, independently of COVID-19 cases or quarantine regulations
Fully agree
We believe that all lectures should be available online since it makes studying easier. Sefa Student Party argues that lectures should not only be live-streamed but also recorded. This will enable all the students to go back to the lecture and revisit some parts during studying. Finally recording the lectures will also enable more flexible studying for working students and would therefore be more inclusive.
Admission to programs with a limited student capacity should be based on merit rather than random selection through a lottery system
Disagree
For a number of reasons, merit-based university admissions are unfair compared to random admissions. It can be challenging to compare kids' academic results from various regions of the world since grading practices might vary greatly between nations. Students who attend schools in nations with stricter grading systems may be unfairly penalized as a result, while students who attend schools in nations with more liberal grading policies may be unfairly favored. Last but not least, admissions based on merit may also be unjust on a social level since different persons may have experienced various difficulties that may have had an impact on their academic achievement.
The Binding Study Advice (BSA) should be abolished
Disagree
We believe that the BSA is a good way to measure one's adaptation to University life and the rhythm of the program. This being said we acknowledge that the BSA is too high and reducing it could help mitigate mental health concerns. In addition, the procedure for dispensation due to personal circumstances must be more flexible and organized.
The Numerus Fixus (a limitation in the number of students admitted) should be used to stop the growth of the university
Agree
The UvA should invest in more accessibility for students with functional limitations as well as sensitivity towards these students
Fully agree
Accessibility is one of the most important issues in our program. We firmly believe that all students, regardless of their limitations, deserve equal access to education. Sefa Student Party has actively been working towards a more inclusive UvA over the past year. We believe that the current infrastructure concerning accessibility at UvA is sub-par and should be improved.
The executive board of the university should be elected through an open election by the students and worker’s body
Agree
As a way to curb the growth of the university, Dutch language courses should be a mandatory part of all programs
Disagree
We believe that mandatory Dutch language courses are not the way to curb student growth as learning a new language has nothing to do with one's academic skills in a specific field (except linguistics) and therefore makes no sense.We see that learning a new language has clear benefits and we encourage the adoption of free Dutch classes for all UvA students. In order to curb student growth the University should focus on better handling student housing, infrastructure and its advertisement strategy.
Academic freedom is as equally important as social safety.
Neutral
The University must prioritise active diversity policies, including decolonization, as mentioned in the 2016 Diversity Report
Agree
Sefa Student Party has diversity as one of the most important aspects of its program. We want the University to recognize the harmful effects of its colonial past and work towards actively decolonizing the curriculum. As part of our efforts to promote diversity, we also want to revisit and improve the 2016 Diversity report. The SSP cares deeply about creating a more inclusive and welcoming community on campus for everyone.
The UvA should involve students in long term plans for study spaces and teaching facilities according to the expected growth in student population
Fully agree
All food options (including meat) should be available at the university cafeteria
Agree
Students wishing to take honours courses should be able to do so based on their motivation, regardless of their grades
Disagree
There should be no mandatory attendance for seminars/ tutorials
Fully agree
Programs should have the sole responsibility in deciding whether they teach in Dutch or in English
Neutral
All board members of study associations should receive equal financial support from the University
Neutral
Student councils should support occupations as a legitimate means of protest at the university
Neutral
As the Student Councils are a direct result of the 1969 Maagdenhuis Occupation and the follow-up Dutch Higher Education Act in 1970. We do acknowledge the fact that occupations are sometimes necessary. Sefa Student Party stresses that occupations can disturb the normal flow of university life. The Councils should have the option to support some occupations if they deem them necessary on a democratic vote inside the Council following extensive dialogue.