Selin is student-member of the FSW Faculty Council: ‘When unheard voices are represented, we all benefit.’
New university elections are coming up! Do you want to do more than just vote? Represent the interests of students and staff in the coming year and register as a candidate on 14 or 15 April, for example for the FSW Faculty Council. Student member Selin Asenova shares how she chose to make a difference.
Selin Asenova (22) comes from Bulgaria and studies International Relations and Organisations. During the second year of her Bachelor, she joined the Democratic Student Party. ‘First, I mostly supported other council members, but then I decided I wanted to become a member myself. During campaigns I loved connecting to people and to listen to their concerns, and I felt the need to help them being heard.’
Why is it important to represent your fellow students?
‘University politics affect us all. For me, it is important to represent international students. It feels as if our needs, concerns, and opinions are often intentionally and structurally excluded, for example due to certain barriers such as language differences. All students want a democratic university that listens and shows that it cares! I believe that if you want to improve things, you have to make yourself heard. Also, I believe that when the unheard members of our community are represented, we all benefit.’
What work is involved in being a council member?
‘As the Faculty Council, we provide advice to the Faculty Board. We have regular official council meetings, that are always proceeded by a more informal pre-meeting. Prior to those meetings, there is some reading to do, catching up with information and official documents. I also spend time talking to fellow students, to keep up to date about current issues. I really enjoy being a council member. Since the Council consists of students and staff, we have different perspectives and experiences, which I find very interesting.’
What accomplishments are you proud of?
‘The subjects we deal with are very diverse, from the faculty budget for the new academic year to the problem of mice in the building to improving the accessibility on campus. For me personally, I am passionate about sustainability, accessibility and democracy at university. For me another important topic is the disproportionate security measures that were in place at university locations in The Hague. I believe these discriminatory measures and unfair judgement (profiling, discrimination) are what made students feel unsafe! We advocated our position and the security measures have now been reduced. While there is more to do on this issue, it proves that student pressure works.’
Would you recommend being part of the Faculty Council?
‘I would for sure recommend running for Faculty Council member! I have learned so much, like how to state an opinion, negotiate and work together. For me this is a period of personal growth, but also a way to give something back. Also, I would like to ask everyone to vote in May. Use your voice to improve things you care about!’