Student Council

The Role of the Joint Student Council

The responsibilities are divided between a chairperson and a vice-chairperson, with the main tasks being:

• Working to ensure student well-being, both academically and socially.
• Ensuring that students have a voice in decisions that directly impact student well-being, such as acting as a communication link and point of contact with Absalon's management, including participation in quarterly and executive meetings.
• Supporting local student council leadership by attending local meetings or events and facilitating knowledge sharing between leadership teams, e.g., by holding at least four meetings annually. The joint leadership must also ensure proper documentation and handover of the Student Council's work, functions, and activities.
• Collaborating closely with Absalon's central functions, such as Facility Service.
• Organizing and coordinating Absalon's signature events and other activities across campuses.
• Actively participating in board work. The leadership automatically secures a position on the board of OPS (the association of student councils at professional colleges). Active participation in board meetings, the annual meeting, and at least two board retreats per year is expected. This involvement provides opportunities to exchange knowledge with student leaders from other professional colleges and influence other student political initiatives.
• The Joint Student Council is supported, developed, and works closely with the student life coordinator. This role provides a strong internal network among Absalon's students and leadership.

Personal and Professional Development

This role also offers opportunities for personal growth and skill development in areas such as collaboration, coordination, reporting, communication, leadership, and turning ideas into reality.

Compensation and Work Structure

The position is paid at a fixed rate for 6 hours per week at the student wage rate. The division of responsibilities between the chairperson and vice-chairperson is agreed upon within the leadership team, for example, by developing a collaboration policy in coordination with the student life coordinator.

The leadership team works according to an annual plan, which is created at the beginning of the new election period with the student life coordinator. In case of disagreement within the leadership team, the chairperson has the final vote.

Interested in Joining?

If you're considering running for the Joint Student Council and want to learn more, you can always reach out to the current SR chairperson or the student life coordinator for further information.

For questions regarding the Student Council, contact the student life coordinator or communications consultant Louise Dyhre Helles at lodh@pha.dk. You can also contact the Joint Student Council directly at studenterraadet@pha.dk.

Additionally, feel free to connect with your local student council—each campus has one.

The role of student representatives on the Board of Directors

Primarily involves ensuring the students’ perspective is represented in a board comprising appointed representatives from local authorities, regions, trade unions, etc. as well as two staff representatives.

This work consists of attending University College Absalon board meetings (four annual meetings plus two seminars), where – as the title suggests – your primary role is to represent the students. As such, you are to represent not only your own campus or degree programme, but all students at University College Absalon.

Representing all students and working to safeguard their best interests is a major responsibility. As a representative on the board, it is therefore crucial be inquisitive about and attentive to the diverse opinions, wishes and challenges encountered in the academic environment. This approach will enable you to advocate effectively for as many students as possible.

As a student representative, you have a tangible influence and your voice is heard. You do not need extensive prior knowledge of finance or management, as high emphasis is placed on induction and support.

It is worthwhile to advocate for increased focus on the students’ perspectives and their opinions on both the positive and the negative aspects of their degree programmes. One of the primary responsibilities is thus to ensure that the students’ issues are communicated effectively, and as a representative you are their voice and spokesperson to the Board of Directors.

Participating on the Board of Directors not only constitutes a significant entry on your CV, but also helps you build a network and gain valuable and useful insight into what it means to govern a large and diverse institution such as University College Absalon.

The students have two representatives on the University College Absalon Board of Directors. These student representatives are elected by and from among their peers.

You can contact the Student Council in Holbæk at sr-holbaek@pha.dk 

Chair: Alpha Nicklas Nicklas Valentine Nielsen

You can contact the Student Council in Kalundborg at sr-kalundborg@pha.dk 

Chair: Maria Jose Pachon Fuentes 

Vice-chair: Marc Lindhardt Madsen

You can contact the Student Council in Næstved at: sr-naestved@pha.dk  

Chair: Johan Søgaard

You can contact the Student Council in Nykøbing: sr-nykoebingf@pha.dk 

Chair: Mads Jeff Andersen

Vice-chair: Andreas Trane Petersen

You can contact the Student Council in Roskilde at: sr-roskilde@pha.dk 

Chair: Anna-Bell Wijitra Dalby Chintanathum Betzer 

Vice-chair: Vanessa Ginnerskov Elmer Christensen 

You can contact the Student Council in Slagelse at: sr-Slagelse@pha.dk 

Chair: Martin Hjermitslev

You can contact the Student Council in Vordingborg at: sr-vordingborg@pha.dk 

Chair: Michelle Hvolgaard Meltofte