Category: Uncategorized

Today, on November 10th 2025, Parliament is set to vote on the proposed Housing Lease Bill. If passed, it will lead to an increase in rent for student housing. Why? Because the bill makes it illegal to raise rent during the first 12 months of a lease agreement.

This decision is positive in itself, and predictability is important for tenants on the general rental market. But students are not on the general rental market — they live in student housing operated by non-profit institutions such as the Student Welfare Foundation (Félagsstofnun stúdenta) and the Student Housing Association (Byggingafélag námsmanna), whose purpose is to keep rent as low as possible. The purpose of student housing is, among other things, to ensure that students have a stable home while studying, to guarantee students from outside the capital access to university education, and to support students who are starting families.

Currently, rent in student housing is kept low by linking it to the consumer price index. With this new bill, FS and BN would instead have to estimate inflation for the next 12 months in advance and set the rent accordingly when the lease begins. This means that rent would be increased based on predicted future inflation — not current costs.

In other words: students will end up paying more for rent than they do now.

Predictability is good — but who is paying the price for it?

Students demand that Parliament vote against this worsening of living conditions for students and learners across the country.

Arent Orri J. Claessen, president of the Student Council

Viktor Pétur Finnsson, loan officer of the Student Council

 

The article was first published by Vísir on the 10th of November 2025.

The Student Council of the University of Iceland (SHÍ) regrets the University of Iceland’s decision not to admit new students next academic year to the vocational diploma program for people with intellectual disabilities.
The decision is largely due to a lack of funding, which stems from the government’s chronic underfunding of the higher education system. SHÍ regrets that this underfunding most severely affects a marginalized group with limited access to the only program designed for them.

The program has provided a large group of people with intellectual disabilities both the tools and the opportunity to achieve greater independence. Its positive impact is reflected in the high percentage of graduates who are employed two years after finishing the program, as well as in the increased self-confidence of the students. Students in the program are an active and valued part of the university community. They participate in student associations and, last semester, organized a seminar in collaboration with the National Association of People with Intellectual Disabilities, which was attended by around 200 people.

This is the only program of its kind available to this group in Iceland, and it is unacceptable to further restrict access to it—especially when far fewer students are admitted to the program each year than the number graduating from secondary school vocational tracks.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Iceland has ratified and plans to incorporate into national law in the coming months, clearly states that everyone has the right to education without discrimination—at all levels. Article 24 of the Convention specifically guarantees that persons with disabilities must have access to higher education on an equal basis with others, with appropriate accommodations and support. The University of Iceland is obligated to uphold these provisions.

Therefore, SHÍ calls on both the government and the University of Iceland to ensure the necessary funding and the annual admission of new students without delay. This is essential to guarantee equal access to education and full participation in society. The University should take pride in offering diverse education for a diverse student body and continue this important work. The University of Iceland should be a university for all people in Iceland, guided by an inclusive policy. The vocational diploma program has been a credit to the University, and the Student Council insists that it must remain so.

The Student Council meeting will take place on Monday, November 3rd, 2025, at 5:30 PM in room N-132, Askja.

According to Article 9 of the Student Council’s bylaws, council meetings are open to all University of Iceland students. These meetings are advertised among students, and all interested are welcome to attend.

Please contact the Student Council office at +354 570-0850 or via email at shi@hi.is if you have any questions regarding the meeting or its agenda. Students are also welcome to contact the Student Council office with questions about their rights.

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Agenda

Meeting called to order
5:30 PM

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

5:30-5:35 PM

Proposal to improve conditions for student’s maternity leave.

Presenter: Andrea Edda Guðlaugsdóttir

5:35-5:45 PM

Proposal that the Student Council emphasizes their earlier stance on improved organization and coordination between schools and faculties.

Presenter: María Björk Stefánsdóttir

5:45-5:55 PM

Proposal to sell nicotine pouches in Háma.

Presenter: Eiríkur Kúld Viktorsson

5:55-6:05 PM

Intermission.

6:05-6:20 PM

Proposal that that the syllabus and course material for the B.Ed. in teaching be re-evaluated.

Presenter: Halldóra Elín Einarsdóttir

6:20-6:30 PM

Proposal that the Student Council states their clear support towards trans students and staff at the University of Iceland.

Presenter: María Björk Stefánsdóttir

6:30-6:40 PM

Proposal for fairness in parking charges at the University of Iceland.

Presenter: Eiríkur Kúld Viktorsson

6:40-6:50 PM

Proposal for a change in admission periods for vocational studies for people with disabilities.

Presenter: Halldóra Elín Einarsdóttir

6:50-7:00 PM

Proposal on improved security in student housing.

Presenters: Jón Karl Ngosanthiah Karlsson, Sigrún Ósk Hreiðarsdóttir

7:00-7:10 PM

Proposal that the Student Council advocates for standard operating procedures in the case of suicide in student housing.

Flutningsmaður: Guðlaug Eva Albertsdóttir

7:10-7:20 PM

Proposal that students will always have access to electric sockets in all classrooms of the university.

Flutningsmaður: Kjartan Leifur Sigurðsson

7:20-7:30 PM

Presentation of the yearly plans for the committees of the Student Council

7:30-7:55 PM

Recorded Matters and Announcements.

7:55-8:00 PM

 

Voting will take place on items II.-IV. og VI.-XIII.

 

 

 

Dear students,

This is an open call for short stories, poems, or articles for the next issue of Stúdentablaðið.

We encourage all students to submit their work— in any form — whether it’s wild reflections, carefully crafted poetry, or a gripping crime story!

Submissions should be sent by email to shi@hi.is with “Submitted material” as the subject line.
The deadline for the next issue is 7 November. If you wish for your work to be published anonymously, please make that clear in your email.

We look forward to reading your work!

The Student Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 5:30 PM in room N-132, Askja.

According to Article 9 of the Student Council’s bylaws, council meetings are open to all University of Iceland students. These meetings are advertised among students, and all interested are welcome to attend.

Please contact the Student Council office at +354 570-0850 or via email at shi@hi.is if you have any questions regarding the meeting or its agenda. Students are also welcome to contact the Student Council office with questions about their rights.

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Agenda

Meeting called to order
5:30 PM

Approval of the minutes from the previous meeting
5:30–5:40 PM

Proposal on improving the situation of working students
Presenter: Arent Orri Jónsson Claessen
5:40–5:45 PM

Proposal on priority admission for international students affected by system failures in 2025–26
Presenter: Sófus Máni Bender
5:45–5:50 PM

Proposal against raising the registration fee
Presenters: Eiríkur Kúld Viktorsson and María Björk Stefánsdóttir
5:50–6:00 PM

Intermission
6:00–6:20 PM

Proposal for a university transport pass
Presenters: Guðlaug Eva Albertsdóttir, María Björk Stefánsdóttir, Auður Halla Rögnvaldsdóttir, and Katla Ólafsdóttir
6:20–6:30 PM

Proposal on predictability of parking fees
Presenters: Guðlaug Eva Albertsdóttir, María Björk Stefánsdóttir, Auður Halla Rögnvaldsdóttir, and Katla Ólafsdóttir
6:30–6:40 PM

Proposal on changed opening hours of university buildings
Presenter: Andrea Edda Guðlaugsdóttir
6:40–6:45 PM

Proposal for SHÍ to join Samstaða með Palestínu
Presenter: Valeria Bulatova
6:45–6:55 PM

Proposal for interest-free installment payments of registration fees
Presenter: María Björk Stefánsdóttir
6:55–7:05 PM

Proposal for a campaign against the planned registration fee increase
Presenter: Kjartan Leifur Sigurðsson
7:05–7:10 PM

Recorded matters and announcements
– Appointments to the Student Fund Board
– Changes in the Social Sciences and Humanities Faculty Councils
– Nominations needed for the Teaching Committee and the University Planning Committee
7:10–7:20 PM

Other matters
7:20 PM

Voting will take place on items II.–IV. and VI.–XI.

The Student Council of the University of Iceland is calling for applications for the position of International Affairs Representative and the Sustainability Officer for the academic year 2025–2026.

Sustainability Officer:
The Sustainability Officer for university students is a position funded by Festa – Centre for Sustainability through a grant to the Student Council Office of the University of Iceland. The officer works in close collaboration with Festa with the goal of raising awareness of sustainability among university students and promoting a more sustainable university community.

Main responsibilities:

• Organise educational events related to sustainability.

• Communicate information on sustainability issues within the Student Council and the University of Iceland.

• Maintain an overview and monitor the progress of sustainability projects.

• Prepare reports on the status and development of sustainability matters within the university community.

Qualifications:
Initiative, ability to work independently, and strong organisational skills. It is desirable that the candidate has knowledge of and/or interest in sustainability and student advocacy. Strong command of Icelandic and English is required. Experience in event management is an advantage, as is knowledge of or experience working within the Student Council.

International Affairs Representative:
The International Affairs Representative attends to the needs of international students, both in daily communication and in organizing events, and serves as a liaison in cooperation with international university networks such as Aurora.

Qualifications: Initiative and independence in work practices, excellent communication skills, and knowledge of international affairs. Strong command of Icelandic and English is required. Experience in international work and active participation in the university community are considered important.

The position is part-time, around 50% or as agreed.

Application deadline: September 6, 2025 (inclusive). All applications should be sent to shi@hi.is marked “Job Application”

You can read more about the work of the Student Council here.

The Student Council of the University of Iceland welcomes the decision to hire a fourth psychologist for the University’s Counselling and Career Centre. This is a 50% position that the University of Iceland will fund centrally for the next three years. 

The decision follows consistent advocacy by the Student Council in recent months, in close cooperation with the University’s mental health team and the Counselling and Career Centre. In March, the Council organized a charity week to raise awareness about the state of psychological services. In April, the Council issued a statement urging the University to take immediate action. 

Both student groups, Vaka and Röskva, have agreed on the need to increase the number of psychologists at the University. 

“We have repeatedly pointed out that three psychologists in 1.5 full-time equivalents is not enough for a university with nearly 14,000 students. It is gratifying to see that our efforts are paying off,” says Valgerður Laufey Guðmundsdóttir, SHÍ’s Student Rights Officer. 

According to the Counselling and Career Centre, the matter was pursued in consultation with SHÍ and the position was approved on the second day of Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir’s tenure as Rector. The new psychologist will begin work in August. 

The Council celebrates this milestone, but also emphasizes that this is only the first step. SHÍ will continue to push for psychologists to be hired in 100% positions and for the service to be strengthened to meet students’ real needs. 

On Wednesday, August 6th, 2025, the 2nd meeting of the Student Council of the University of Iceland for the academic year 2025–26 will take place.
The meeting begins at 5:00 PM and will be held in room N-132 in Askja, University of Iceland.
Chair of the meeting is Arent Orri Jónsson Claessen, President of the Student Council, and Secretary is Alda María Þórðardóttir, Executive Director.

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Agenda:

I. Approval of the minutes from the previous meeting

II. Proposal that the Student Council urge university administrators to keep the registration fee unchanged
Presenter: Halldóra Elín Einarsdóttir (Vaka)

III. Proposal for countermeasures against paid parking at the University of Iceland
Presenters: Guðlaug Eva Albertsdóttir (Röskva), María Björk Stefánsdóttir (Röskva), Auður Halla Rögnvaldsdóttir, and Katla Ólafsdóttir

IV. Proposal to amend the bylaws of the Student Fund
Presenter: Kjartan Leifur Sigurðsson (Vaka)

V. Intermission

VI. Proposal to erect the “Bryndís Bench” in the Oktoberfest area
Presenters: María Björk Stefánsdóttir (Röskva) and Ármann Leifsson

VII. Proposal for a declaration of intent by the Student Council regarding the petrol station lot at Birkimelur
Presenter: Arent Orri Jónsson Claessen

VIII. Proposal to raise the university registration fee
Presenters: María Björk Stefánsdóttir (Röskva), Magnús Hallsson (Röskva), and Valeria Bulatova (Röskva)

IX. Recorded matters and announcements

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According to Article 9 of the Student Council bylaws, all Student Council meetings are open to all students at the University of Iceland. All interested students are encouraged to attend.

For questions regarding the meeting or the agenda, please contact the Student Council office by phone at +354 570-0850 or by email at shi@hi.is.

The Student Council of the University of Iceland is now accepting applications for the position of Project Manager for Oktoberfest 2025.

Project Manager for Oktoberfest:
The Project Manager for Oktoberfest oversees communication with contractors, manages marketing activities in cooperation with the Student Council, and handles the overall coordination of Oktoberfest on behalf of the Student Council. The role also includes compiling a summary and writing a report after the festival. The employee will be hired in a part-time capacity for the duration of the contract period.

Qualifications:
Experience in event management and marketing, excellent communication skills, strong organisational abilities, and the capacity to work independently.

Application process:
The application deadline is 30 July 2025. Applications should be sent to shi@hi.is. Each application must include a cover letter, a CV, and contact details for two referees. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.