Did you know that you can make a change and have a voice in the university’s politics? No? Well, keep on reading! Not many students know that they can actively participate––now and in the future––by joining one of UvA’s councils and voting for representatives. But, what kind of institutions are there?

First, the Faculty Student Council (FSR): each faculty has one that is elected every year in June. Your representatives are concerned with topics of resit opportunities and Teaching and Examination Regulations. Moreover, past projects involved issues about social safety, quality of education, and diversity. Are you annoyed that the coffee machine in your faculty does not offer plant-based milk? Tell your FSR via E-Mail and even through Instagram.

The highest representative body for UvA students is the Central Student Council (CSR), elected annually. Here, the members deal with issues concerning the whole university and act upon all student’s interests. Additionally, the CSR speaks for UvA’s students to the Executive Board––the directors of UvA. However, what interests are accounted for? This year, some “hot topics” are discussed, explained Abigail Gilchrist, Vice-chairperson of the CSR. For instance, a “new“ and “ongoing” topic evolves around accessibility which the CSR works on with the Executive Board. Due to feedback from students with disabilities emphasizing the urgency of approachability and awareness. Recent successes of the CSR include the utilization of Ecoasia––a sustainable search engine––in the university’s library computers. Gilchrist concludes: “We value student feedback, ideas, and opinions as we represent the student body, and for this, we need your input!” Therefore, you can attend the council’s plenary meetings––as they are all public––or you can reach out again via E-Mail (csr@studentenraad.nl) and Instagram (@uvacentraal).