Letter submitted to SIÅS regarding social gatherings at the ABC Basement

Erik Grigoryan

Based on multiple complaints and expressed concerns by International students about the SIÅS ban of social gatherings in ABC basement, ISU has invited a meeting of International Students at UMB to discuss the issue. Based on concenrs raised during the meeting, the International Officer at NSO has composed a relevant letter, which has been signed by NSO president, vicepresident, International Officer, ISU president and one UMB board member. The English version of the Text is below.

Dear SiÅs Board

Based on past events the International Officer, together with the concerned international students, ISU and the Student Board, it necessary to clarify the matter regarding the use / non use of ABC basement for social purposes. We want a clarification from the board as to whether the use is regarded as totally unacceptable, or whether it is possible to come to an agreement to apply to SiÅs prior to use, and thus the rules for use. Each of the signed representatives understand the current situation that different groups of students do not receive the same information and therefore there is an unfair practice.

7 November 2011 the International Officer Lene Hodge (hereinafter referred to as IA) called by Wenche Schau at / SiÅs housing as complaints of parties in the ABC basement has arrived. IA was informed that in fact one should apply to SiÅs and provide contact information so that SiÅs has someone to hold responsible should complaints arrise or a need for cleanup. When it was mentioned from SiÅs housing that it was best to perhaps lock the room, IA expressed that this would be a great loss for the social environment in Pentagon, and especially when internationals are a group that doesn’t always go to all events at Samfunnet. IA informed that there would be a meeting with ISU next evening to discuss the matter. November 8 the IA was called up again, when it was much reaction from SiÅs housing that was marketed as an "alternative party" because it was "expensive at Samfunnet." IA informed that this has only been used on one party in the ABC on 14 October when it was sold out Beer-fest at Samfunnet with ticket prices of 290 for members. IA stated that she had not held the meeting with ISU yet, and would continue the dialogue in the aftermath of this.

At the meeting the same evening ISU agreed that it would create a trust with SiÅs by apply to have social additives in ABC basement, as ISU considers this important for the integration of the international students in Pentagon. The parties that have been held earlier have been organised by international students who have organized, but not ISU directly. Since most international students identify themselves with ISU, the leader expressed in particular that to apply to SiÅs is a far better solution than that SiÅs does not have the overview. ISU had planned to have an arrangement at ABC in advance of the Rock Club evening at Samfunnet 10 November, and would seek to SiÅs based on IA's recommendation, after earlier talks with Wenche.

November 9th IA was phoned up by Paul Magnus Løken by SiÅs Housing and IA informed then that the ISU will now apply to have gatherings in ABC basement. The conversation ended with this agreement. Next day the IA was informed by the ISU Leader that the application had been rejected on the basis of the complaints.

Thus, the practice changed to be a total closure of the use of ABC basement - and this was left to IA to inform to the international students. This has resulted in IA and ISU to hold an open ISU meeting on Tuesday 29 November and based on this meeting, adress the SiÅs Board with this issue. The international students are experiencing a very unfair flow of information, in addition to that they experience a large social loss from not being able to meet the ABC basement.

There is an obvious truth that it is not only international students who use the ABC basement, and there have been three events held by Norwegian students since the IA was informed personally that it is not allowed to hold activities there.

Most international students are members of the Society (subsidized by UMB through inclusion funds) and enjoys this, but it shouldn’t be the case that because there is a party at Samfunnet students are not allowed to organize something themselves. This the signal that is sent when the SiÅs , in light of the complaints, conclude that the international students organize their own parties in the ABC in order to not go out to Samfunnet afterwards. It is often the case that one wants to go to Samfunnet afterwards, and a low-threshold venue before of this is an important part of the social environment.

The representatives therefore ask SiÅs Board to consider the use of the ABC basement. Is it a definitve to all social activity the IA, Student Board, ISU and not least the international studens are of the opinion that this must be communicated to all students. Here, posters hung up in the basement of the ABC is a minimum, we call for clear information in Norwegian and English sent out to all tenants at Pentagon.

International Officer also ask SiÅs directors see the reality of the use of ABC, a no as an answer will not necessarily lead to socialization to stop completely, it just means that it is illegal. And making it illiegal to socialize serves no students' welfare.

We consider it the best solution is to develop a practice that one applys to use the ABC basement, so that one creates a trust relationship. SiÅs must therefore create up rules for use, such as noise, garbage collection, responsibilities, etc. At ISU meeting on 29 November it emerged that one wants to have some rules to deal with, so that everyone has equal access to the basement. ISU is very open to dialogue and the International Officer will of course be able to assist in this work further.

Signatures.

Updated: 02.12.11
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