FL BOKU in English
As you might already know, the Students’ Union (ÖH) elections are taking place again from 09th to 11th of May 2023. Here you can elect the representatives of your ideas and your interests for the next two years.
Elections? How do they work?
You can elect representations for three different levels:
- you can vote for the Studienvertretung (STV)(representing your field of study)
- you can vote for the university level representation(“Universitätsvertretung”) which represents all students at BOKU
- you can vote for the representatives on federal level(“ÖH Bundesvertretung”)
For further information on the voting system, please visit the ÖH website:
https://www.oehboku.at/en/who-we-are/oeh-election-2021.html
This is your chance to shape our university’s future!
Who is the FL BOKU?
The Unabhängige Fachschaftsliste BOKU – FL BOKU (Independent Student Representatives) form a list of students from different fields of study. A majority of our team members is involved in the Students’ Union and have been working for students at BOKU for quite some time, the other part would like to get involved in the future. In the last fourteen years our members have represented the Students’ Union BOKU as head of the union.
The “Unabhängige Fachschaftsliste BOKU” is independent of any political party and can therefore operate for you without artificial influence, especially in educational policy and budgetary matters.
Our team consists of people who are motivated, experienced and have a high degree of competence. There is no other comparable list of people that provide such a broad know-how, passion and love for students (yes we really mean it!) as the “Unabhängige Fachschaftsliste BOKU”!
What do we stand for?
We are your politically independent ÖH!
[independent – autonomous – self-determined]
We are independent of party politics and invest all our energy into the representation of the interests of students. Financial and ideological autonomy – without a mother party – allows us free and self-determined action.
More important than to promote the interests of one faction, it is for us to stand behind the students in order to represent them in the best manner. An original and constructive ÖH compiled of a team of dedicated and motivated students, regardless of political ideologies, is of sheer importance to us.
We live the open and inclusive ÖH!
[motivated – together – altruistic]
In an open ÖH, positions are not filled according to faction affiliation, but competent and committed students are given the opportunity to work together. We think that an open and dynamic ÖH lives through many different opinions and people.
In order to enable the open ÖH, a reflective way of thinking is required.
For this, it is necessary to question your own points of view, to be sensitive to new topics and to reflect honestly on them in order to be able to implement them. In addition, there is always a space for constructive criticism and feedback in order to improve the representation work and make it more accessible.
Here, again, it is important to break down artificial barriers and enable involvement regardless of faction affiliation, study progress or field of study. For broad participation, we create transparent decision-making processes and a space inside and outside the ÖH in which students feel comfortable.
Education is a human right!
[linking – equal – fair]
We stand for open and free university access! For us, this means that access to education should be possible for everyone, regardless of their social or geographical origin. Limited financial resources or the level of education of the parents should not be a reason to make access to education more difficult or impossible for people.
In our opinion, restrictive measures such as access restrictions or compulsory annual academic achievements are the wrong way to create better study conditions. They do not improve the real study situation but raise additional hurdles.
International mobility and exchange programs should be made possible for all students and therefore curricula and support programs must be adapted and expanded.
We continue to stand for barrier-free, “studyable” curricula that are adapted to the realities of life of the students.
We stand for participation!
[participative – equal – transparent]
Decision-making processes at the university should be transparent and fair, which is why we see student participation as a creative force at BOKU and as an opportunity to take on responsibility.
For this, the unrestricted, equal right of the students in university decision-making processes, as well as the transparent design of these processes, is essential. It is important to us that the voice of the students is heard at all levels, which is why we create the framework for engagement.
The students are the crucial part of a thriving university and therefore need to be heard! We should all be able to help shape curricula and teaching concepts.
We create space – you shape it!
[colorful – together – tüwi]
We stand for self-empowerment of students to realize their own projects – whether within the ÖH or not.
The participation of students that encompasses having the voice of students heard must be possible on all levels – from event to teaching. We create the framework for students to actively shape their university life through an informative working method. Students are an essential component of a flourishing university and therefore must be heard!
We see university not as a subject-specific educational institution but rather as a place where opinions can be formed and perspectives developed. Studying should not be the sole consumption of predetermined curricula. Personal development, the broadening of one’s own horizon and networking – national and international – are likewise an essential part.
We encourage creating space that is organized and shaped by students to foster cooperation and unity at BOKU. Furthermore we want to assure the continuance and cooperation with TÜWI. TÜWI we stand behind you!
For a future worth living!
[responsible – future-oriented – system critical]
The climate crisis endangers all life on our planet and is therefore THE challenge of our time. Due to the urgency, acute action is required, whereby structural causes of the climate crisis must be critically questioned and actively changed.
BOKU must act as a role model towards other universities and society in general by contributing to a socio-ecological transformation through its research, teaching and actions. In this context, it is important to understand the impacts and interrelations of the climate crisis as an ecological, social and interdisciplinary problem. This content must also be anchored in teaching in order to provide the knowledge necessary to address the climate crisis. As students, we have the social responsibility to advocate for measures at and outside the university and the right to demand their implementation.
Studying for everyone – regardless of financial background!
[ social – fair – supportive]
For us, the climate crisis and the inflation crisis cannot be considered separately. The latter hits students especially hard.
We advocate for the dismantling of social and financial hurdles in studying – education must not be a social issue. Especially in times of a strong increase in inflation, when life becomes more and more expensive, students must not be forgotten.
Therefore, there must be an aid system that really supports students in order to enable access to education for everyone. Especially students from families without an academic background should have access to financial support and be especially encouraged.
It is important to us that students, even if they are not gainfully employed, have the opportunity to concentrate fully on their studies – without having to fear financial and existential problems.
Living equality – fighting discrimination!
[anti-racist – inclusive – solidarity]
Equality does not yet exist in reality, which means that people are disadvantaged and excluded. Racist, sexist and patriarchal structures at BOKU must be broken down. Furthermore, we demand the dismantling of any barriers so that people with disabilities can also study without discrimination.
We actively advocate for justice, as well as for the advancement of all disadvantaged and discriminated persons at BOKU in order to create an appreciative environment for all. Proactive action against any kind of discrimination and against fascist ideas is the only way to make BOKU an inclusive place for education.
We demand quality of study instead of exam activity
[qualitative – flexible – financed]
In order to ensure quality education, we advocate for continuous improvement of teaching in all involved bodies of BOKU. In this context, we see the modularization of curricula as an opportunity to improve studyability and teaching strategies.
We continue to actively demand qualitative teaching methods, orientation towards the needs of students and consistent solutions to existing problems. Studying is more than completing courses and should promote personal development through voluntary engagement as well as socio-political discourse in addition to professional education.
Therefore, we are critical of the current university funding, which is largely based on examination activity. Economized key figures and efficiency must not be the yardstick by which a university is oriented. Likewise, the high value of teaching should be guaranteed and should not compete with research. It is much more important to provide diverse continuing education for students, since broadly educated people make an economically and socially valuable contribution.
What do we seek to improve the next two years ( a few examples)?
- Improvement of teaching by implementing ECTS-fairness, participation of students and good online study material
- The opportunity for studying for everyone through higher subsidies and no admission restrictions
- improvement of mental health services
- Mandatory courses for teachers on the topic of anti-discrimination
- Sustainability and climate protection in research and teaching at BOKU
- Better bike infrastructure and traffic calming at Türkenschanze and Muthgasse
- Improvement of Muthgasse campus
- Extension of opening hours to weekends
- Simpler and more comprehensive recognition of international study achievements
Why don’t we distribute sweets to get your vote?
Maybe you asked yourself why you don’t get any campaign goodies like free beer, Spritzer, Knoppers, vanilla milk and pens. This is indeed a good question. We simply see no point in distributing campaign gifts, because …
we fully finance our campaign ourselves and believe in the competence of our students to evaluate and value good student representational work and not make their choices based solely on freebies.
We would be celebrating if you gave us your trust and thus your vote. But more important: please attend the elections! No matter who you vote for.
On federal level we are part of the FLÖ (Independent Student Representatives Austria).
You can find more about us here:
fachschaftslisten.at
facebook.com/fachschaftslisten
For further information, feel free to contact us – we would be happy to help you.
>> unabhaengig.fl.boku@gmail.com
>> facebook.com/FLboku
>> instagram.com/fl_boku
We would love to discuss our ideas for a better university with you!
Go vote! You shape your university’s future!
With independent regards,
your FL BOKU
www.flboku.org
– Unabhängige Fachschaftsliste BOKU – FL BOKU –