Studenterhuset forced to cut activities for international students  

The beginning of 2017 marks another chapter in the story of financial cuts at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH).

The previous study environment strategy has ended and been replaced with a new strategy that includes a reduction in funding for international activities at Studenterhuset.

»With the end of UCPH’s study environment strategy for 2014-2016, some of the support from UCPH to international activities at Studenterhuset is ending. The strategy has been partly prolonged for 2017, but the funding for student environment related activities has been reduced by about 60 percent overall,« says Jacob Ørum, the Director of Studenterhuset.

We will try to continue some of these activities supported by external funding, but it will take some time to find out if it is possible to get funding. Until then, unfortunately, they have to be put on standby

Jacob Ørum, Director of Studenterhuset

Put on standby

This means that a number of initiatives will be suspended.

According to Jacob Ørum the new agreement does not include funding for StudyCPH, Language café, City Walks, Question Corner, Arts & Crafts Sundays, or for courses like “How to find a student job”, “Getting accommodation”, “Danish work place culture” etc.

»We will try to continue some of these activities supported by external funding, but it will take some time to find out if it is possible to get funding. Until then, unfortunately, they have to be put on standby,« says Jacob Ørum.

Undeterred by the difficulties, he promises that Studenterhuset’s team will try to do their best in maintaining the current level of services:

»We have been very happy to be able to provide activities for international students, and will continue to offer as many activities as we can, even though the funding is reduced.«

Spring Festival back for good?

Anni Søborg, the UCPH’s Deputy Director of Education confirms that the there is a cut to funding.

However, she points out that it is Studenterhuset’s decision how they will spend the money that they have available. This means a reduction to the essentials.

»We have made a new general agreement with UCPH for 2017-2019 which includes funding for activities like Mentor Education and the Spring Festival as well as support for our Lab for Student Engagement program,« says Jacob Ørum.

The Spring Festival was one of the first things to be cancelled when UCPH’s management had to make quick financial cuts in 2015.

As University Post wrote in September, this highly successful event will be back in 2017, and it is likely to continue for the next two years.