Student representation under threat at the University of Gothenburg

The government proposes to reduce the state grant to student unions from 55 to 35 million SEK in the state budget for 2026, a reduction of one third. Student unions' funding is thus at record low levels.

The government subsidy to student unions was introduced when the union obligation was abolished in 2010. The government promised student unions a government subsidy equivalent to approximately 400 SEK per student each year in today's money, but in practice the sum was significantly lower. Now it is proposed to reduce the subsidy further, to just 100 SEK, the lowest level ever.

The proposal to further reduce the compensation will affect student unions around the country, including Göta Student Union, Sweden's second largest student union that represents a majority of students at the University of Gothenburg. The reduced funding will force Göta Student Union to restructure its operations and cut back on operational support, both in terms of employment and the number of positions of trust. Ultimately, this will affect the students for whom the operations are intended.

The situation is further aggravated by the fact that the Göta Student Union has already had to budget for a deficit of 685,000 SEK, an enormous burden for a non-profit organization but almost insignificant for the government. Despite this, it is precisely these resources that determine whether the students will have a study time to remember and an education to be proud of.

In the longer term, it is considered very difficult to maintain the current quality and level of operations with the reduced resources. This risks affecting both the internal organization and the ability to fulfill the student union's statutory mission: education monitoring and student social activities.

The existence and operation of student unions in the field of education monitoring and promotion of student life is regulated in the Higher Education Act (1992:1434). Since the abolition of the union requirement in 2010, student unions have been mainly dependent on government grants, but also on member income, to finance their activities. However, Göta Student Union believes that it is unreasonable to place the responsibility on students to finance the salaries of employees and the fees of elected officials.

Göta Student Union is an organization of and for students and our obvious starting point is that students should get more in return than the student union takes from them. Göta Student Union has therefore consciously worked to keep membership fees student-friendly. Being a student in Gothenburg is already expensive with high rents and constantly increasing living costs. It would be both unreasonable and irresponsible to place an additional financial burden on students through increased costs for membership in the student union when our task as a student union is to be there for students and constantly work to improve their study time, not make it more difficult.

A reduced allocation to student unions is in practice a direct attack on student influence. Student unions not only provide a voice for students on issues relating to the quality and conditions of education, they are also a community and a source of support and contribute with a context that is crucial for students to enjoy their studies and thus be able to complete their studies. When the government reduces resources for student unions, it therefore risks eroding both students' ability to influence their education and their access to the social network that makes their studies safe, meaningful and memorable.

According to the government's budget bill, state funding for student unions will return to the same level as in 2020. No account is taken for inflation, which in practice means an erosion as revenues no longer cover expenses. The decision threatens to stifle student influence and weaken the student voice.

Göta Student Union therefore demands that the government stop cutting funding to student unions and take responsibility for ensuring students' ability to influence their education and future.

Göta Student Union Presidium
Moa Clasberg & Linn Andén