A new spring for social events
Do you fancy being more social and develop fun activities? Now you have the chance to apply for funding to organise social events under a new initiative called “Social Spring” (Sosial vår).
Student-led activities and events can now become part of Social Spring an initiative launched by Volda University College. It is the Welfare Group that is responsible for Social Spring and the idea to is to set up social activities for students within safe boundaries.
The Student Parliament, represented by Welfare Responsible Arnaud Duhamel, look forward to receiving ideas with open arms.
– When the initiative and organisation of the events come from the students, I believe other students want to take part. Students will come up with ideas that appeal to fellow students and understand what type of events they wish to take part in, says Duhamel.
Apply for funding
Funds have been sent from the Ministry of Education to the Student Welfare Association (SiVolda) and Volda University College (VUC), some earmarked social activities for students. To make sure that the funds are spent in the best possible way, students are invited to come up with ideas for events and activities that they would want to see happening.
– Feedback from students show that they miss in-person events, and that is of course something we wish to address. It is possible to open for this also without violating infection control measures. Even though we can only hold in-person events for a few people at a time, it doesn’t mean that we should stop having them. A lot of small-group activities would be meaningful and fun, says Eli Anne Løksa, student advisor at SiVolda.
Students at VUC can apply for funding for events that are open to as many students possible within the limits of current infection control measures. Note that the activities cannot involve the serving of alcohol. If you have a good idea for an event, but do not wish to organise it yourself, you are warmly welcome to submit a suggestion as well.
APPLICATION FORM FOR FUNDING OR IDEAS TO SOCIAL EVENTS
Be creative
Vice-rector at VUC, Odd Helge Mjellem Tonheim, supports the new initiative and encourages students to take advantage of this opportunity.
– Use your creativity to come up with something that your fellow students would want to take part in, says Tonheim.
Being a student in Volda may have been a better experience than in other larger cities during the Covid-19 pandemic. Students have generally had the luxury of in-person teaching, an open campus and library, and have been allowed visitors.
– But we miss the social environment that normally epitomises VUC, which includes everyone and provides so many things to look forward to in your everyday life. This is the reason why the Welfare Group focuses on a “Social Spring”, so that we can meet each other again. Without focusing on what we can and cannot do, we will rather look at what our options are within the current situation, says Lone Ellingvåg Knutsen, Student humanist at VUC and member of the Welfare Group.
The Social Spring initiative
Social Spring already have some events lined up in the upcoming weeks. There are plans for events such as free breakbast, Eat and Greet at the Student House, Yoga practice, Speedfriending, discussion forums, and many more.
As the new events are planned and scheduled, they will be added on our website for Social Spring. Check the website regularly for updates!