INTERsection

Binding or Not?

On the surface, it was just a campaign poster—but behind it lies a bigger conversation about transparency, accountability, and how student politics works at UvA. We break down what actually happened during a recent CSR vote, what different student parties had to say, and why it matters even after the elections are over. Read the full article to stay informed and engaged with the decisions that shape our university.

INTER Times Editorial Team

What’s Student Politics at UvA All About—and Why You Should Care

On March 31st, the student parties at UvA came together for a Student Politics Debate, discussing key topics ranging from the quality of education—such as the Binding Study Advice (BSA)—to the university’s role in ensuring peaceful protest environments. Check out our article to learn what each party stands for, so you can make an informed choice and elect the voices that will shape the future of the university and its students.

Armita Masoudpay

Suchi Roy

The newly elected INTER Board hosted its first event, the Student Forum for Quality Education at UvA, on November 14th, creating a platform for students to discuss key academic concerns and engage with student politics. Len Holstein, a Faculty Student Council member, shared insights into his role and responsibilities, such as policy drafting and budgeting. Students identified several issues, including overcrowded lecture halls, unclear grading and feedback policies, rigid attendance rules, and inconsistent availability of lecture recordings. The forum encouraged dialogue between students and representatives, emphasizing collaboration to enhance the quality of education and inviting further participation through INTER’s platforms.

Suchi Roy

INTER has recently announced their list of dynamic FSR and CSR candidates, showcasing a wide array of policies aimed at improving student life, encouraging sustainability, and enhancing transparency. The candidates bring forth unique proposals which address pressing issues at the university, reflecting the party’s commitment to inclusive student representation at UvA. Reinforcing INTER’s dedication towards quality education, a portion of the election budget will be donated to Students for Children, a student-run organisation at UvA that aims to make education accessible to underprivileged children across the world.

Konstanze Flemming

Voting, voting, voting—this seems to have been the theme of the last few weeks. By the end of May, a total of 7003 students cast their votes in this year’s student council election, and the student body has spoken: the results of the 2024/2025 Student Council elections are in!

With a voter turnout of just 15.8%, there was a slight decrease of 0.4% from last year’s elections, once again raising questions about the general student body's engagement with politics.

So, who did we actually vote for? Let’s take a closer look.

Suchi Roy

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) conducts annual elections for the Central Student Council (CSR) and Faculty Student Councils (FSR), empowering students to choose representatives who work on a range of issues from campus facilities to academic policies. The CSR, comprising 14 members, holds monthly meetings with the Executive Board to propose and implement solutions, ensuring students' interests are prioritized. Notably, the CSR led impactful initiatives like menstrual equity. Similarly, the FSR collaborates with deans to address faculty-specific concerns and revise academic regulations. Both councils operate in unison, addressing diverse university challenges. Post-election, agendas are set for monthly meetings to discuss pertinent issues, demonstrating a commitment to promoting positive improvements within the UvA community.

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