Appendix 1: Candidate Booklet
10.1 The Board of Samfunnet Leader
Running for election:
✔ Kristian Lund Vang
Presentation of Kristian Lund Vang:
Honorable general assembly!
My name is Kristian, I am 22 years old and come from Nesodden. This is my fourth year in Ås. I have completed a bachelor’s degree in Renewable Energy and am currently in the final semester of a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After the summer, I will continue with a master’s degree. Thus, I am running for the position of leader of the Samfunnet Board.
My student life did not start with many volunteer roles. I am a very curious person and initially focused on academics, which led me to pursue two bachelor’s degrees simultaneously. This focus forced me to better understand my own work habits, and it has helped me learn my limits and realize that I thrive when I have a lot on my agenda.
During my time as a student, I have gained both theoretical and practical leadership experience through various committees, boards, and jobs at Samfunnet, the faculty, and the university. To mention a few examples, I started working for NMBU’s IT services already in my first semester. After that, I have held roles such as Head of the Buddy Program, leader of the Sustainability Committee, KS at Samfunnet, and a range of other positions.
I want to bring this engagement with me into the role of leader, where one has the opportunity to shape how students experience Samfunnet. I believe this encounter can be one of the most important parts of many students’ time at NMBU something that has become even more important as fewer students participate in volunteer work. I also believe it is important to give people ownership of their roles, as this builds loyalty and can inspire more students to get involved in volunteering.
NMBU is facing major measures related to space reduction. The main hall was already used for exams last semester. I believe Samfunnet should not only be used for exams and events. When beloved buildings such as Studentenes Hus may disappear, students will ask, “Where do we go now?” I believe Samfunnet should be the answer to that question.
I hope you will give me the trust to be the next Chair of the Samfunnet Board.
Best of luck with the election!
Kind regards,
Kristian Lund Vang
Head of Finance
Running for election:
✔ Silje Kvernmo Stengrimsen
Presentation of Silje Kvernmo Stengrimsen:
Dear General Assembly,
My name is Silje Kvernmo Stengrimsen, I am 22 years old and from Kongsberg. I am currently in my third year of studying Economics and Business Administration at NMBU, and I plan to continue with a master’s degree this autumn. I wish to run for the position of Finance Manager at Samfunnet i Ås. Regardless of my study path, I will be staying in Ås, and I want to spend my time contributing actively to the student community.
I currently serve as KS Accounting, a role I enjoy very much. Working with the accounts and the annual financial statements has given me solid insight into financial routines, structure, and responsibility. These are experiences directly relevant to the position. I am highly motivated to take on greater responsibility, and I thrive when creating order, overview, and good processes. I see this position as a natural opportunity to further develop both my competence and my engagement for Samfunnet.
Throughout my studies, I have been active in student life and at the faculty. Previously, I have held larger positions such as Student Council Leader at the School of Economics and Business, Treasurer in Åsblæst’n, and Events and Administration Officer in the Optimum student association. In addition, I have held several other roles during my time in Ås. These experiences have given me a broad understanding of organizational work, finance, and collaboration, and they have strengthened my determination. I thrive when a lot is happening, and I put in the work needed to make things function well.
I want to contribute to orderly, transparent, and well-functioning financial operations at Samfunnet, and I hope to earn your trust to do just that.
Head of Events
Running for election:
✔ Lisa Vo
Presentation of Lisa Vo:
Honorable General Assembly!
My name is Lisa Vo. I am 21 years old and come from Larvik. I am currently in my third year studying Environmental Science, and this autumn I will begin a master’s degree in Geoinformatics. I hereby wish to run for the position of Chief of Events at Samfunnet.
Since starting at NMBU, I have held several exciting positions that have given me knowledge and experience that I believe will be useful in this role. Among other things, I have experience leading the Naturviterne Student Board and serving on the Control Committee of the Student Parliament. I am also well acquainted with the operations of Samfunnet through my roles as Manager in the Enterance Committee and as Chief of Committee for Dinner Events during UKA i Ås. Finally, I have organised various events and served as Buddy Chief for MINA duing Buddy week.
As a volunteer, I know how important Samfunnet is as a meeting place. Therefore, I am motivated to ensure a varied, inclusive, and entertaining semester program. To me, it is important that the events reach the breadth of the student body, including international students. This is especially important in the time ahead without Aud. Max. To achieve this, I will ensure good collaboration within the Samfunnet Board, with the events block, and not least with the students here at NMBU.
During my time in Ås, I have become aware of the importance of volunteering and the role it plays in ensuring a great student experience. I will work to ensure that Samfunnet remains an important meeting place where students can gather, get involved, and create great experiences together. I would be honoured to be offered the chance to become the next Chief of Events!
Good luck with the election!
Kind regards,
Lisa
Vo
Running for election:
✔ Trygve Refsnes
✔ Laura Wanvik
Presentation of Trygve Refsnes:
Honorable General Assembly!
My name is Trygve Refsnes, and I am a 20-year-old from the most beautiful place under God’s blue sky: Sunnmøre. I am in the first year of a five-year master’s degree in Applied Robotics. When I arrived in Ås, I quickly jumped like a fully loaded rabbit into a role on the quiz committee. Being able to create fun activities for the masses of Agrarmetropolen has been very rewarding, and I hope I can have the opportunity to participate as editor in the student newspaper that brings joy to a large portion of the student body here in Ås.
I produced my first comic when I was ten, maybe eleven years old. Unfortunately, it never went to print, for reasons I have never managed understood. It was entirely written, illustrated, conceptualized, and edited by myself, since I could not allow my mother or father to hold me back in my work. Since then, fortunately, I have become considerably better at collaborating with others. During my military service as a CBRN soldier, cooperation was the most important focus area I trained in. I take great pleasure in bringing people together to solve a task and deliver quality.
I have not had much experience in the printing industry since I was twelve, but I have always personally enjoyed writing, language, comedy, and geopolitics. I believe these are good things for an editor to enjoy. If the Honorable General Assembly grants me the position, I promise to work diligently to maintain the high quality of Tuntreet, as well as always being a good supporter to the rest of the editorial team.
Good luck with the election!
Kind regards, Trygve Refsnes
Presentation of Laura Wanvik:
Honorable General Assembly
My name is Laura Wanvik and I am running for the position of editor of Tuntreet. I am 22 years old, come from Bergen and am in my second year of landscape architecture.
I am familiar with the various aspects of the Tuntreet editorial team's work, having been a journalist for 1.5 years. I also have a lot of writing experience outside of TT, both as a scriptwriter for the UKA revues this year and as a writer and editor for two years in the school newspaper in high school.
Tuntreet has given me the opportunity to develop myself as a writer, largely due to the freedom I’ve had in developing my own cases and writing style. This is a freedom I wish to further provide to the future editorial team, across all committees, because I know how much creative joy it allows for, and not least how good conversations and discussions it leads to.
I am very passionate about the written and free word, and believe that creativity, curiosity and humor are crucial elements in our defense against an increasingly dangerous and polarized world. We must never stop writing, drawing, asking questions and laughing with each other – it makes us better friends and better people!
I feel very motivated to take on the responsibility for our editorial team, and I hope you will give me the honor of becoming Tuntreet's next editor.
Good luck with the election!
Kind regards, Laura Wanvik
Head of Events
Running for election:
✔ Karoline Skybak
Presentation of Karoline Skybak:
Honourable General Assembly,
My name is Karoline Skybak, I am 21 years old and come from Elverum. I am in my second year studying forestry.
Ever since I started at NMBU, I have been engaged in the Student Society, beginning as a volunteer during UKA 2024. This year I have become a KS for UKA, which has motivated for further involvement, and I therefore want to engage even more. I see the position of arrangementsansvarlig in næringslivsutvalget as a rewarding role where one can have significant influence in the important link between students and the business sector.
Through Skogbrukerforeningen, there are strong systems for contact between students and the industry. This has shown me how important and decisive it is to get to know potential employers early on. This is something I would like to work actively to ensure that other students at NMBU also have the opportunity to experience.
I am structured, enjoy keeping things organized, and like taking responsibility. I find it exciting to learn new things, and at the same time I am hardworking and like to do things properly. I enjoy working with others and recognize the importance of a strong team in order to achieve the best possible results.
I would like to contribute to further developing the næringslivsutvalg as an important part of the Student Society in Ås.
Thank you for your attention, and good elections!
Head of Administration
Head of Career Day
10.4 The Board of House
and Finance
Student Representative
Running for election:
✔ Magnus Schie Larsen
Presentation of Magnus Schie Larsen:
Dear General Assembly, Thorvald and Tora,
My name is Magnus, I am 27 years old, and I am hereby running for election as student representative to Hus- og Finansstyret. I study Chemistry and Biotechnology and am currently in my fourth year here in Ås. Studentsamfunnet is my social arena, and it is here that I have found my place in Ås.
I began my studies by signing up as a volunteer at Samfunnet, and this has defined my time here. Volunteering is what has inspired and motivated me in my roles and has given me great joy. I am genuinely committed to ensuring that we have the best possible Studentsamfunn.
I have a broad range of experience from various roles in Ås, including as a Vektor assistant, funkis, KS, and committee member at Samfunnet, as well as leader of my student association and leader of Samfunnsstyret, where I also sat on Hus- og Finansstyret. In addition, I have served on the faculty board at KBM and am currently in my second term on the university board at NMBU. I believe that my broad experience from volunteering, combined with board and leadership roles, gives me a strong foundation for contributing to Hus- og Finansstyret. I am committed to ensuring a strategically sound operation of Studentsamfunnet, while also preserving the organisation as a strong and well-functioning volunteer-based community.
The Studentsamfunnet we have here in Ås is something I am truly proud of. It is unique, and something we must take care of. Therefore, I have a strong desire to help manage and develop it on behalf of you students, who are the very reason it exists and thrives. I am committed to viewing Studentsamfunnet as a whole and to working together to create the best possible overall offering for students and members.
I want to contribute with experience, engagement, and a holistic perspective on the operation and development of Studentsamfunnet. At the same time, I will be a clear and responsible voice for students on the board. Especially in a time with several renovation projects and increasing needs in the buildings, it is important that we are clear in our dialogue with NMBU, which is currently operating under tighter financial constraints.
I hope you will give me your trust to represent you as student representative to Hus- og Finansstyret for the coming year.
Best regards,
Magnus Schie Larsen
