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The Student Council would like to inform students that the Council’s Rights Office is looking into the Student Loan Fund’s (Menntasjóður námsmanna) requirement that students who are on housing loans must prove rent payments by presenting a registered lease or confirmation of housing with a certificate from the Icelandic State’s base registry,

The declaration for the fall semester 2020, about gathering information from a third party in relation to the student loan application, which students need to accept on applying for a loan, did not mention registered leases – only that the Student Loan fund would seek confirmation from the Commissioner of the Inland Revenue that the applicant has disclosed their rental payments on their tax return.

It has also come to light that students were not informed about the requirement of registered leases until now, when they received a message from the Student Loan Fund mentioning it.

The Student Council has requested a meeting with the chairman of the Student Loan Fund in hopes of students receiving clear answers as soon as possible.

Dear students

The Student Council’s next meeting will be held on Teams at 5:00 p.m. the 20th of January. If a student wishes to attend the meeting, a request needs to be sent to shi@hi.is.
According to paragraph 9 of the Student Council’s laws, the Council’s meetings are open to all students at the University of Iceland. Students who are not members of the Student Council may therefore attend meetings and listen to discussions within the Council.

The agenda can be found here.

Please contact the office of the Student Council at shi@hi.is if you have questions regarding the meeting agenda. All students are welcome to contact us at 570-0850 or shi@hi.is with inquiries about the Student Council and its meetings. The Student Council also answers questions on student rights, social life and more.

A couple of days ago The Climate Strike was recognized by the Equality Council! We are thankfulful and sincerely congratulate all those who have been involved in the Climate Strike activism. Such a good ending to this year.

Our own Aðalbjörg Egilsdóttir, former President of the Transportation and Environmental Affairs Committee, accepted the award which Stúdentaráð will have in the office.

Prime Minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, thanked students in particular in her speech at the Student Council’s anniversary last week for keeping the government on its toes, saying that students keep on going, fighting and urging the government to take action. The climate crisis this is the biggest challenge we face right now and it is crucial to continue the fight.

The pandemic has weighed heavily on students and it is understandably difficult for many to study free from worry. Learning difficulties may increase and students’ mental health may take a hit. The results of the Student Council’s survey from the 9th – 16th of October were an indication that 67% of students do not feel well in the situation due to the pandemic and 72% of them were experiencing a lot of stress that they thought would affect their academic progress. The results of the Council’s first survey from 22nd of March showed that 54% of Icelandic students felt that they experienced a great deal of stress, as did 42% of international students, and 53.1% said that this would have an impact on academic progress.

It is therefore clear that the situation has been difficult, persistent and even worsening. Since September, waiting lists for psychological services at the University of Iceland have been increasing considerably compared to other years. The demand has been enormous throughout the fall semester and beyond the ability to meet it. Due to this, it is not possible to accept more requests for individual interviews with the school’s psychologists, which are three.

The number of students at the University has increased by over 2,000 this semester and students are now 15,000, which is a record number. The numbers are growing rapidly, the University has received twice as many applications for next spring. It must be possible to service this large number, and the government’s involvement is a key factor, with secure funding that is conducive to strengthening the University’s services permanently.

The Student Council has advocated for improved mental health services throughout the epidemic and urged the government to consider carefully the welfare of students. In its capacity, the Council has had five surveys that shed light on the position of students and strengthen its advocacy. It is therefore very disappointing that students are still excluded and that it does not look like there will be any emphasis on providing students, and all people, with acceptable and important mental health services, which may never have been as necessary as they are right now. It is completely unacceptable and the Student Council hereby challenges the government to keep its promises.

Lets sign the petition!

Dear students

The Student Council’s next meeting will be held on Teams at 5:00 p.m. on the 25th of November. If a student wishes to attend the meeting, a request needs to be sent to shi@hi.is.
According to paragraph 9 of the Student Council’s laws, the Council’s meetings are open to all students at the University of Iceland. Students who are not members of the Student Council may therefore attend meetings and listen to discussions within the Council.

The agenda can be found here.

The meeting will be in Icelandic.
Please contact the office of the Student Council at shi@hi.is if you have questions regarding the meeting agenda. All students are welcome to contact us at 570-0850 or shi@hi.is with inquiries about the Student Council and its meetings. The Student Council also answers questions on student rights, social life and more.

Good afternoon,

We have not opened for applications for the second allocation of the Student fund. You can apply by clicking here. We encourage you to follow the instructions in the application form as well as you can. Failure to meet the requirements of the application can result in the application being turned away.

Before you apply, it is recommended that you read the laws of the fund and code of practice which can be found here, below the Icelandic version, as well as on the Student Council’s website.

Any questions can be directed to Haukur Friðriksson, the fund’s President. He can be reached by email at studentasjodur@hi.is.

Emily Reise, International Representative of the Student Council, was on RÚV’s evening news recently.

There she talks about the crisis that for foreign students at the University of Iceland are facing now. She says it is clear that the main concern is due to the uncertainty caused by the development of the epidemic and that the school authorities have to listen and show flexibility in connection with exams. Armando Garcia, a graduate student in education, also shares his experience. Emily has been very active in her work, ready to help and look for ways to maintain the social aspect through all kinds of electronic events. However, students need support from the university and the government as well, and they are shown understanding.

Link here: https://www.ruv.is/sjonvarp/spila/frettir-kl-19-00/27717/8kua2e interview with Emily starts at 13:20