Student Life

ChangeVU will work to implement a "mental wellbeing" button on Canvas, enabling students at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam to easily access mental health support services and resources with just one click. This initiative aims to address the current lack of visibility of mental health services, ensuring that students can readily connect with university psychologists, student wellbeing points, counsellors, and other available support systems. We believe that by integrating this button into the Canvas sidebar, students will be incentivized to reach out and get support when they need it most.

Communication between VU and students has often been overwhelming and lackluster. We propose several strategies to enhance communication channels and reduce spam, ensuring that important announcements and updates reach students promptly. To achieve this, we advocate for bilingual communication across all levels, utilizing Canvas as a centralized platform for announcements and events. Moreover, we emphasize the use of social media platforms like Instagram to engage with students and promote transparency. By improving communication, we can create a stronger sense of community and connection within the university.

ChangeVU highlights the need for increased accessibility to microwaves on campus. We will propose the installation of additional microwaves in high-traffic areas such as the HG cantine, as well as in other buildings like MF. Additionally, we advocate for the designation of separate microwaves for vegan and non-vegan options to cater to the diverse needs of our student population.

ChangeVU applauds the success of our housing lottery initiative for international students, which has significantly reduced homelessness among non-first-year students at VU Amsterdam. We emphasize the importance of continuing this initiative to ensure housing stability for second-year and higher students. By prioritizing the welfare of all students, we can uphold VU Amsterdam's commitment to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment for students from diverse backgrounds.

ChangeVU calls for reforms to the 'Hospiteren' system at DUWO residences to create a fairer and more inclusive housing selection process. We advocate for pre-ranking candidates by DUWO and providing student residents with a predetermined list of room candidates to vote on beforehand. This approach strikes a balance between resident autonomy and the prioritization of homeless students in urgent need of housing. By addressing systemic barriers to housing access, we can ensure a more equitable and supportive living environment for all students at VU Amsterdam.