STUDENT ISSUES. Sahlgrenska Academy’s Student Union, SAKS, is one of 14 student unions that is joining the effort Bästa Festen (“Best Party” in English) by IQ and the Swedish National Union of Students (SFS), a project based on the idea that alcohol may be present at parties, but should not be the focus.
Sahlgrenska Academy’s Student Union arranges many social events for students, including pub nights every week, traditional sit-down dinners and introduction activities. Alcohol is present at several events, but the Student Union also arranges film evenings and other events that are alcohol free, explains Fredrik Nilsson, Vice Chair of SAKS responsible for student social affairs and PR:
“During their studies, students can acquire bad drinking habits that stick with them for the rest of their lives. Of course, we want to avoid this.” Moreover, students can drink less alcohol, or no alcohol at all, and feel excluded from events with a great deal of alcohol. We want to create a culture where more students feel better and feel that they can participate in the Student Union’s activities.
SAKS has now been invited to a conference arranged by Bästa Festen for all student unions and student associations involved in the effort:
“We will discuss and exchange experiences on the issue at the conference. Then, SAKS will try different methods for changing our alcohol culture that fit with our activities,” says Fredrik Nilsson.
So nine student unions in SFS were already working in the project and now another 14 are joining.
“There is clearly a great commitment in the student movement to change its own alcohol culture,” says Caroline Sundberg, Chair of SFS, in a statement.
The student unions and associations that are involved in Bästa Festen will work to find new methods to arrange alcohol-smart pub evenings, clubs, balls, dinners, reception activities and other party events. They will also map the alcohol culture and build up clear structures, policies, and action plans for the student unions that concern social events and alcohol.
THE FOLLOWING ARE NOW JOINING BÄSTA FESTEN
Student unions:
Student Union for Students at Educational Sciences and Faculty of Arts & Sciences at Linköping University (StuFF)
Umeå Student Union of Science and Technology (NTK)
Jönköping Student Union
Linnaeus University Student Union
Gefle Student Union
GIH Student Union
Sahlgrenska Academy’s Student Union (SAKS)
KMH Student Union
Södertörn University Student Union (SöderS)
Student associations:
Blekingska Nationen in Lund
Norrlands Nation, Södermanlands-Nerikes Nation, Uplands Nation and Västgöta Nation in Uppsala.
