1 For better study conditions
1.1 Against compulsory attendance
Currently, compulsory attendance in seminars is possible. Compulsory attendance endangers free, independent learning. There are many situations that make compulsory attendance impossible. A large part of the student body has to work in addition to their studies in order to be able to finance their studies. This double burden is made unnecessarily difficult by compulsory attendance. Other students have to take care of their parents or raise their children. Therefore, we advocate the abolition of compulsory attendance at the RUB. Furthermore, we demand that the compulsory attendance for online courses is abolished and that these must generally be offered (additionally) asynchronously in order to enable fair and equal access for all students.
As long as it is possible, we support hybrid teaching during the Corona pandemic.
1.2 Campus Accessibility
The accessibility of the campus, (online) events and supporting materials for lectures and seminars should be expanded. There are many barriers that prevent students from participating equally in everyday university life. By this we do not only mean removing structural barriers. We also want accompanying materials – such as lecture notes or lecture slides – to be accessible to all students in lectures and seminars and to be available in a barrier-free form. Last but not least, all university political events such as the StuPa and committees must be accessible to everyone. Unfortunately, this has not been the case since the switch to online meetings.
1.3 Technical equipment of the university
Successful digital studies require a good IT infrastructure. This includes a stable area-wide WLan coverage. Unfortunately, this is not yet available everywhere on campus, but for us it is an essential basis for digital studies.
Another problem is currently the low number of power outlets in many classrooms, unfortunately also in more modern buildings like the GD. Without sufficient sockets, a university day with laptop and other electronic devices is unthinkable. Especially on long days the battery of many electronic devices is not powerful enough. Therefore, all lecture and seminar rooms should be equipped with significantly more sockets.
In addition, there is the completely inadequate development of the online services; practically everyone at the RUB has already experienced several failures of Moodle, sciebo etc.
1.4 Studying with a child
Studying with a child is a particular challenge that affects about 6% of students. But especially women are at risk to suspend studies with children under the age of three (Middendorf 2003). Therefore, we advocate that the university’s kindergarten receives sufficient funding to care for students‘ children. The abolition of compulsory attendance is, as already mentioned above, just as much a help to be able to continue studying within the scheduled time frame as it is an expansion of digital and retrievable teaching content such as lectures in order to be able to study from home.
2 Digitization
2.1 Digital offerings beyond lectures
We strive for digitization in all areas of everyday university life. This includes an expansion of the libraries‘ digital offerings. During the pandemic, the library set up a scanning service in times of need, for which we are very grateful. But even after that, this service should be expanded and continue to be offered. In addition, a complete digitization of the book collections would be desirable so that the content can be accessed from anywhere. Likewise, we would like to see a central media library with all publicly accessible content from RUB and affiliated organizations.
2.2 Campus App
The current campus app „RUB Mobile“ is not very helpful in its current form and is very confusing. An app that displays all internet portals – like eCampus, Moodle, FlexNow, RUBMail, OPAC – in one app in a clear and user-friendly way would be a big step forward. Some portals are already integrated, but unfortunately there is a lack of a good operating concept for smartphones. The event calendar has unfortunately been taken out of the app in 2019 and should be added back. This could offer a special added value to learn about events on campus and participate more in university life. Also an integration of a personal timetable would be nice to be able to offer an app that covers all areas of the student’s daily life. The app should be expanded in the long term and equipped with more ideas and functions. A voting system for further functional extensions could be used to find out exactly what students want and then implement it as quickly as possible. Study programs could also be involved and new jobs created for students who would like to help with the development.
A modern campus app can also help blind and visually impaired people on the university campus. For example, Heinrich Heine University has developed an app that recognizes the location of the user and guides them to their destination via voice output.
2.3 Internet presence StuPa
We advocate that the website of the StuPa is revised and appears more clearly. The digital archive of the student parliament has gaps and minutes are uploaded late. The holding of meetings via Zoom has shown that accessibility for parliamentarians and visitors is not fully given. Everyone interested should be able to understand how the StuPa works without much effort.
2.4 Digital Corona Support
The offer of the university to lend laptops to the students, so that everyone can participate in the university everyday life from home during the pandemic is to be supported. The ability to continue to loan laptops after the pandemic should be maintained. If needed, we would also like to purchase more technical equipment to lend to students so that they can make the most of their studies.
3. Antiracist and anticolonial university
The Ruhr University is an international space, but in its current form it is not a discrimination-free space for racialized people. Everyday racism and other discriminatory behaviors are experienced by students on a daily basis in the institutions, dining halls, or at events.
3.1 Safe Spaces at the University
Members of ethnic and religious minorities currently have no safe space at the university. Such a place offers safety from discrimination, enables the exchange of experiences and promotes the important networking within marginalized groups.
Therefore, we call for the establishment of several Safe Spaces for marginalized students and employees of the university. Such spaces could be conceptually oriented towards Liselle, the women’s* library of the RUB, and be designed as an anti-racist/anti-colonial library.
We also call for a room of silence that is open to members of all religions and atheists for inner reflection. Prayers and meditations could take place there, creating a place for lively intercultural exchange while maintaining general tolerance. In general, events that aim at a common dialogue and the living together of students should be promoted and expanded.
3.2 Anti-racism work at the university
Not only student coexistence, but also research and teaching at the RUB must be critically scrutinized. One focus of university policy work should be to raise awareness of racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim racism and other forms of group-based discrimination. This includes the critical educational work of the AStA and reflection of the curricula of each study program and thematization in each study program. Only in this way can all students understand and deconstruct their own racisms.
The previous efforts of the institutional bodies in this direction were torpedoed by the AStA and its consorts (position paper of the equal opportunity commissioners).
A holistic strategy also includes serious reporting and counseling centers for students when lecturers spread inhuman content. Finally, we advocate the introduction of anonymous examinations in order to exclude possible subconscious discrimination in the evaluation.
4. For a critical RUB
We as Left List want to stand up for a critical teaching and science at the RUB. Universities must be places of reflection and questioning of the status quo.
After all, scientific knowledge production should improve the lives of all people and not be guided by social interests or power relations. We are also committed to ensuring that university policies are accessible to all. RUB students should be given the opportunity to contribute their suggestions and ideas.
4.1 Political education
One focus of university political work should be to raise awareness of racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim racism and other forms of group-based discrimination. In order to achieve this goal, we want to offer appropriate political educational events. We find the current program of the AStA insufficient for this purpose.
We therefore want to start the „political Tuesday“ (PolDi), a regular, critical
series of lectures in the KulturCafé. During the Corona pandemic, we want to focus more on online lectures and offers. This will allow students to educate themselves and discuss social issues in a pleasant atmosphere.
4.2 Strengthening cooperation with socially critical initiatives
At the Ruhr-Uni there are already many students who are involved in socially critical initiatives, especially at the university (Critical Lawyers, Social Medicine, Plural Economics). We as AStA will support them. We also want to show solidarity with movements like Black Lives Matter or Fridays for Future beyond the campus borders. We also want to actively promote student networking and your commitment. We want to approach you and your initiatives instead of just waiting.
4.3 Preservation of the civil clause
Since the passing of the new Higher Education Act in the winter semester 19/20, the respective universities can decide for themselves whether they want to anchor a civil clause in their basic regulations. A civil clause is a voluntary commitment to conduct research exclusively for civil and peaceful purposes. Since 2015, a corresponding article has been included in the constitution of our university. We want to continue to advocate for the preservation of the civil clause at RUB.
2. Stop right-wing and reactionary activities
5.1 Anti-discrimination
We as LiLi stand up against discrimination in any form and for a university where everyone can participate. We see ourselves as openly anti-racist and therefore organize or support demos and events against the right, such as the action weeks against anti-Semitism and the critical introduction weeks.
5.2 Right-wing groups in Bochum
Unfortunately, there are also organizations in Bochum that represent völkisch and new-right views. The Identitarian Movement IB is regularly active in Bochum and is well networked with the extreme right-wing fraternity „Verein deutscher Studenten VDSt-Breslau zu Bochum“ as well as the Junge Alternative, with whom joint events have already been organized by and for right-wingers. The Prager Arminia fraternity in Bochum runs under the umbrella organization Deutsche Burschenschaft DB, where recently Aryan proofs for its members were discussed again and which is repeatedly confronted with accusations of right-wing extremism. Also worrying are the recent outings of active members of the neo-Nazi association „Hammerskins“; people outed in this context were even employed by the city of Bochum until recently.
To counteract this, the LeftList supports anti-fascist research and initiatives in Bochum.
5.3 Consistently implement antifascism
Therefore we want to stand up against inhuman ideas and expand the political education work at the university. We want to promote film evenings, discussion groups, reading circles and events for intercultural exchange, as well as existing cooperations such as „RUB bekennt Farbe“. To this end, we will re-establish the „Department for Applied Human Rights“ in the AStA. We as AStA want to take right-wing and reactionary activities seriously as a threat and deal with them responsibly and consistently.
6. Feminist AStA
6.1 Strengthen equality in the faculties
Discrimination against people on the basis of their gender or sexuality is unfortunately part of everyday life at the RUB. Although there are the same number of female students as male students, there are far fewer female professors than male professors. Especially in faculties such as mechanical engineering or in the natural sciences, there are few female professors or research assistants. We want to actively support the RUB’s target agreements on equality in order to change this situation.
6.2 Implementing Feminism in Teaching
In medical school, students have hardly any opportunities to learn how to perform
Abortion learning. Other degree programs also tend to focus on male perspectives, which influence the content and focus of teaching.
We want to advocate for abortion to be treated as a permanent part of medical school. Until then, we support the workshops on abortion organized by the Social Medics*. We also want to raise awareness of gender relations in historiography by participating in actions such as „womens history month“.
6.3 Strengthen initiatives and projects for (gender) justice
Initiatives such as the student women’s* library Lieselle and the women’s* space should continue to be supported. We also think it is important that the Autonomous Women*Lesbian Department and the Gay Department exist.
Because sexual harassment and discrimination also occur at universities, we as AStA would like to carry out more projects such as the Week Against Sexism or actions against queer hostility. This includes events in which we network with other feminist groups, like recently with Catcalls of Bochum. Such topics should not only get more presence in university politics, we also want to show solidarity with other feminist campaigns. For example, we signed the open letter to the Schumacher Club in Bochum, which drew attention to sexual assaults in the club. In the past, we have also supported the statement of the Equal Opportunities Commissioner or the events around the feminist fight day.
6.4 Fighting queer hostility
Especially queer people who do not find themselves in the two-gender heterosexual norm experience discrimination because of this. It is important to us to include these perspectives and to fight together against patriarchy!
We want to offer contact points and information opportunities for trans, nonbinary and intersex people, for example to change the name on the student ID. We also want to establish gender-neutral restrooms. As soon as this is possible again, we want to participate in the CSD Bochum and strengthen the awareness and acceptance of gender and sexual diversity. We would also like to offer cultural events on the topic with the existing university groups, such as queer film nights or parties.
In addition, hygiene products should be available free of charge in restrooms.
7. Student co-determination
A university lives from its students! At the RUB, however, we are often treated like unwelcome guests by professors and administration. Therefore we advocate for more self-governing rooms, a fairer distribution of seats in the senate and better working conditions for student workers.
7.1 Transparency in StuPa and AStA
In order for all students to be able to participate competently, the framework conditions must also be right: Transparency and accessibility currently come far too short at the RUB. Therefore, we demand technical solutions for the transmission and publication of StuPa and committee meetings. Every person who finances and supports the AStA should also be given the opportunity to easily follow up and have a say in decisions. Any uncertainties about how to get involved in student self-governance should be eliminated. The dismantling of hierarchies plays an important role in this. Commitment to the student body and in university politics should not depend on holding an office. The AStA must be a strong political representation of all students and must not see itself solely as a service AStA.
We want a more transparent approach to current research and third-party funding allocations, as well as an information policy from the AStA that goes beyond tinkering tutorials and dead links. This also includes that violations of the GO are consistently dealt with and the right to verbatim takeover in the StuPa remains untouched!
7.2 NRW State ASten Meeting (LAT)
Ultimately, the conditions of study are not only determined at the university, but also in state politics. Therefore, we demand that the AStA stops not having a clear position on the LAT NRW (the only legitimate state-wide representation of student bodies in North Rhine-Westphalia) and that it commits itself, as an admitted member, to making an appropriate financial contribution to the association. In a time when solidarity and community should take precedence over power-political favors, an intensive commitment to the LAT is essential.
7.3 Fight for your right to party(cipation)
Even if the university is more like the city center of Wuppertal right now (lol), we should not lose sight of the time after ‚rona! After the political archive was dissolved last year, there are hardly any student-managed spaces left at the university. This has to change! Not only visually, the RUB has some deficits, but also in terms of student participation. We need to invest more in spaces and opportunities that give students the chance to freely shape the university themselves.
That’s why we say: Fight for your right, to paaaaaaarty(cipate)!
8. For a sustainable university
An ecological and sustainable lifestyle in everyday life is necessary! However, the sustainability issue and climate justice cannot be the task of the individual alone. The Ruhr-Uni, as one of the largest employers and formative institution of the region, must take a leading role in the fight against the destruction of the basis of life.
8.1 Promote ecological projects
We welcome the foundation of Students for Future as a positive signal at the university. Unfortunately, the RUB only works sustainably and ecologically when individuals or initiatives invest time and energy in projects such as the Repair Café. The cooperations with Metropolradruhr and the Library of Things are also first good steps in the right direction, which we want to consistently follow through!
It should be examined to what extent green roofs and facades are sensible and possible in order to promote biodiversity. We are in favor of photovoltaic systems on the roofs of the RUB.
AKAFÖ also has some catching up to do: the open-plan kitchen is currently still working more with molded poducts and the good old deep fryer. Finally, the RUB summer party continues to produce huge amounts of waste every year…
8.2 Climate clause now!
Similar to the civil clause, we want the university to adopt a climate clause. We will be an ecological voice in the cafeteria plans, as these can also be implemented cost-effectively with regional (organic) vegetables and animal-friendly products.
Summer festival deposit system
We are also calling for a deposit system and macaroni straws at the RUB’s annual summer party to reduce the amount of trash generated. Instead of favoring car traffic, we have bicycle parking garages in mind. But all other new construction projects at RUB must also be evaluated for their sustainability and ecological impact.
Supporting the climate movement is in the interest of all students!
9. Finances and housing
Neoliberal tendencies do not stop at students in Bochum: The general conditions of studying with regard to the financial and housing situation are increasingly deteriorating. Therefore, we advocate to expand student housing that is affordable and available, to change the Bafög guidelines and to make studying financially and socially acceptable for all. We also support efforts to introduce a collective agreement for student employees (#TVStud) in NRW as well.
9.1 Financially viable studies for all
In order to improve the financial situation of students, we want the AStA to advocate for a Bafög that is independent of parents and not linked to adherence to the standard period of study. We do not want to continue to accept that the social background of students is a decisive factor for the start and success of their studies. Another important point here is the study conditions at the RUB itself, which often require students to pay extra for learning materials and to purchase expensive textbooks. Financially disadvantaged students in particular must therefore receive special support at our university.
9.2 Stop the rent madness!
The lack of student housing in Bochum also causes a tense situation for many students: we regularly hear about long apartment searches, high rents and other concerns. AKAFÖ operates over 4,000 housing units in Bochum at affordable prices and in good locations. Although the situation there has improved temporarily since Corona due to fewer people moving in, it was very tight before that and will become worse when the online students then move to Bochum and the RUB. Both the city of Bochum itself and the AKAFÖ increasingly rely on neoliberal, unjust solutions: this can be seen for example in the increasing rents of the VBW as a municipal housing association or the beginning construction of a „luxury dormitory“, which charges absurd 675€ for a 20sqm apartment. We would like to take a stand against the AKAFÖ to end this classist housing policy and to create socially acceptable as well as financially feasible solutions. In addition, we would like to strengthen the cooperation with the Mieterschutzbund Bochum in an AStA, in order to make students better aware of counseling services and the assistance offered there.
9.3 AStA Budget
There are also starting points within the student self-administration to improve the financial situation of the students. These include a close examination of the AStA budget, which in some cases includes high expenditures for questionable projects. The financing of the AStA dance courses, for example, takes up 45,000€, although there is a diverse, cheaper university sports program available at the same time. We also want to demand more transparency from the AKAFÖ in this regard, so that the distribution of funds can be better understood. At the same time, we demand that the outstanding budget audits of the AStA of the last years be made up for as soon as possible.
10. Up the international solidarity
There is a lot happening in the world – a global pandemic, dictatorships on the rise worldwide, burning forests, refugee camps at the EU’s external borders, and ongoing conflicts for power and supremacy in war-torn regions like currently Afghanistan.
The corona pandemic has shown us once again that all these global issues also concern us and how important solidarity is beyond the borders of the university, our city Bochum and Germany.
We want: Events on global issues, solidarity demonstrations and strong alliances like Students for Future. Tuition fees for foreign students must not be an issue, we want to expand the AStA German courses as needed. Our cultural and educational program should be a plural one and accessible to everyone. The AStA should finally become a place of networking and exchange by living and organizing international solidarity. This is only possible if we can offer people from different backgrounds places to feel safe and comfortable. The RUB should be a place of encounters and togetherness, where discrimination and misanthropy have no place!
Furthermore, our university must not cause any part of global suffering and must not become a think tank for armament companies! Therefore, we will continue to campaign for compliance with the civil clause at the RUB. Unfortunately, all this is not possible with the current AStA. Therefore: Vote for the Left List to achieve a modern, enlightened and just university! Hail to International Solidarity!
About us
The Left List is a non-partisan alliance list. An important part of this alliance is the MK (MultiKulti List). In the MK students from China and Vietnam as well as the African and the Kurdish students (YXK) are organized.
We fight against any discrimination at the university and for a better study. In this sense, we are particularly committed to ensuring that access to studies is made possible for all interested parties. We want to form a political AStA, which represents the interests of the students offensively and takes a public stand. Our open list meeting takes place regularly, for exact dates please feel free to contact us on our social media channels.
– Vote Left List –
Election for the 54th Student Parliament
06.12.-10.12.2021
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