Röskva's Newcomers Brochure 2021

RÖSKVA Fighting for student rights

Equality - Radicalism - Honesty

WHAT IS RÖSKVA? Röskva is the organization of socially minded students attending the University of Iceland, which has taken an active part in fighting for student rights since its founding in 1988.

Our aim is to safeguard and ensure student rights, and to give students a platform to be heard, and to be active in enforcing change.

Röskva’s core policy is everyone’s equal right to education, and our focal points include environmental and transportation affairs, international student rights, student housing, student loan fund affairs and mental health matters.

WHY SHOULD I PARTICIPATE? You, as a student at the University of Iceland, are part of the university society, and Röskva is a platform which can enable you to make an impact on your environment.

There is always room for improvement, and change for the better depends on us as students to make ourselves heard. Röskva also organizes fun events throughout the school year, and is a great place to meet people and take part in university social life.

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THE BOARD OF RÖSKVA 2020-2021 President: Gréta Dögg Þórisdóttir Vice president: Lísa Margrét Gunnarsdóttir Secretary: Lilja Hrönn Önnudóttir Hrannarsdóttir Treasurer: María Sól Antonsdóttir International officer: Marcello Milanezi Communications director: Fannar Þór Einarsson Marketing director: Rannveig Erlendsdóttir Editor: Jóna Gréta Hilmarsdóttir Activities director: Sigrún Soffía Halldórsdóttir Co-members: Egill Örn Richter and Sigríður Þóra Þórðardóttir Necomers representatives: Katrín Björk Kristjánsdóttir and Lilja Margrét Óskarsdóttir

RÖSKVA'S CHAIRPERSON Röskva's chairperson is elected during Röskva's general meeting and is Röskva's elected representative in the Student Council. The chairperson's role is to be the spokesperson of the organization, and to oversee Röskva's affairs operations. Additionally, they are responsible for ensuring information flow between Röskva's board and the Student Council.

Vífill Harðarson

CONFIDANTS Röskva has two confidants. All members of Röskva and students of the University can turn to confidants if they have something weighing on them, as Kristjana Björk Barðdal their role is to listen in total confidentiality as a neutral entity. Tel: (+354) 858-7862

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Ástráður Stefánsson Tel: (+354) 846-5459

RÖSKVA'S COMMITTEES Röskva's committees are a great opportunity to get to know people at the University and to take active part in Röskva's operations.

International Committee introduces Röskva's activities and affairs to international students and encourages their participation in the university society.

Communications Committee keeps Röskva's followers informed through social media and via Röskva's website.

Marketing Committee oversees all fundraising events for Röskva.

Affairs Committee is in charge of updating and refining Röskva's policy, and aids Röskva's Student Council members in forming Council proposals.

Newcomers Committee oversees Röskva's new members and introduces the organization to new students.

Editorial Committee oversees Röskva's publi-cations, the Autumn Issue and the Election Paper.

Activities Committee organizes and oversees all of Röskva's events.

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RÖSKVA AS A MAJORITY IN THE STUDENT COUNCIL 2017-2020 The University no longer performs dental age estimations on unaccompanied children and young adults seeking asylum Clinical psychologists for students increased from 1 to 3 The University of Iceland was awarded the Green Flag Green coffee cards for students Vegan food selection on campus has increased greatly The construction of student housing at Gamli Garður was pushed for and has now begun PhD students now have a representative during Student Council board meetings PhD students now have the same maximum residence time as other students in Student Housing The Student Council's annual reports of 2015-2017 were filed (as they had not been filed previously) The Student Council's management was refined, and its 10,5 million ISK deficit was corrected An International Officer was hired for the first time in a paid position within the Student Council Parents in Student Housing are now entitled to longer residence time due to parental leave The timing of makeup- and resit exams was changed to benefit students

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HOW DO I TAKE PART IN RÖSKVA? Follow us on social media to see all of Röskva's events. We are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Send a message to any board member for more information, or even if you just want to chat.

Check out our next big meeting - they are open to all. We host one every month to go over current affairs (and we often do something fun right afterwards).

Apply for a seat within one of Röskva's committees.

Come to one of our events - all are always welcome.

Find us at 12:00 PM on Austurvöllur every Friday and take part in Fridays for Future climate strikes!

@roskvaroskva

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THE STUDENT COUNCIL THE STUDENT COUNCIL of the University of Iceland, founded in 1920, represents all students attending the University, and fights for their rights and interests. Three representatives from each School (five for the School of Social Sciences) sit in the Council, and represent the students within their School.

During the annual Student Council elections, which take place on Ugla, student representatives from all Schools are elected. More information about the Student Council can be found on student.is.

THE SCHOOL COUNCILS handle affairs relating to each School. Within the university, there are five Schools: School of Health Sciences, School of Humanities, School of Education, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences and School of Social Sciences.

THE COMMITTEES are nine: International Committee, Social Life and Culture Committee, Financial and Business Committee, Family Committee, Equality Committee, Teaching Matters Committee, Law Amendment Committee, Innovation and Entrepreneur Committee, and Environmental and Transportation Committee.

THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL is the highest power in the University of Iceland. The Council includes 11 representatives. Meetings are led by the University's Rector.

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RÖSKVA'S EXTERNAL OPERATIONS

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THE STUDENT RIGHTS OFFICE The Student Rights Office of the Student Council is a place where you can receive free advice on issues that may arise within the University and on how you can seek amends. The Student Rights Office holds four elected representatives and three professionally hired representatives.

Isabel Alejandra Diaz The president directs the Council’s work and represents the Council both within and outside the university.

Guðný Ljósbrá Hreinsdóttir Vice President handles marketing, as well as the Council's boards and committees.

Sara Þöll Finnbogadóttir The Student Loan Representative serves students' interests relating to student loan affairs, is a member of the Icelandic Student Loan Fund's board and is responsible for information flow between the Loan Fund and the Student Council.

Mikael Berg Steingrímsson The Student Interest Officer is knowledgeable when it comes to student rights, and is available to help when seeking amends. You can reach the Student Interest Officer via email, shi@shi.is, or stop by the Student Rights Office, on the third floor of Háskólatorg.

Hjördís Sveinsdóttir The Managing Director is in charge of the Student Council's finances and the Office's daily management.

Hólmfríður María Bjarnardóttir The Editor is in charge of the editing and publication of the Student Paper and Akademían, the Student Council's handbook for students.

Emily Reise The International Officer represents international students attending the University, focuses on their rights, oversees the mentor system and the Student Council's international events.

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@roskvaroskva

roskva.hi.is