The Student Parliament discussed paid internships and raised other problematic issues

A remote meeting of the Student Parliament of Vytautas the Great University (VDU) was held on Thursday. During it, the description of the procedure for handling personal data and the project of the regulations for the activities of the self-management of dormitories were presented. Parliamentarians raised questions and debates about paid internships, general elections and the current situation of students in Turkey. A new canteen working group was also approved, which will continue the work of the previous parliamentary term.

The meeting started with the approval of the description of the procedure for the processing of personal data at the Student Representative Office of Vytautas the Great University. The document was presented by Gabrielė Šturmaitė, coordinator of the Public Relations Committee of VMU Student Representation (SA). The description is important for the organization, in order for all student data to be processed and stored in accordance with the relevant legislation. A proposal was put forward in the Parliament to determine the exact time of data storage. The document has been approved and in the near future students will be able to familiarize themselves with it on the VDU SA website. 

The next item on the agenda of the meeting is the project of regulations for the activities of the Dormitory Self-Government, which was presented by Ieva Vengrovskaja, coordinator of the SA Social Affairs Committee. Although the document will not be approved by the parliament (such documents are approved by the Rector), the aim was to hear the comments, insights and remarks of student representatives. It was decided to change the regulations because they did not meet the current situation and needs. I. Vengrovskaja also mentioned that the Council of Dormitories is faced with ignorance of the duties and rights of the members. The parliamentarians supported the opinion that the functions of the self-government of the dormitories should be more precisely defined and supported the amendments to the regulations.

Member of Parliament Žygymantas Menčenkovas, together with VDU SA President Paulius Vaitiekus, raised the issue of paid internships at the meeting. The Lithuanian Students' Union (LSS) conducted a study on working conditions and practices. More than 93 percent of the surveyed students stated that they incurred expenses during the internship that were not financed by anyone. Consideration is being given to giving students the opportunity to do internships that would be paid. During the discussion, the parliamentarians agreed that the implementation of paid internships does not prevent a student from doing voluntary unpaid internships. By the decision of the Parliament, a working group of 6 members was formed, which will carry out further actions and prepare the final version of the position and proposals for the Kaunas City Municipality.

The issue of the public canteen raised last year was continued at the meeting. A new canteen working group was unanimously approved to continue work on this matter. 

As the term of the VDU SA president's term is approaching, the member of parliament Martynas Butkus raised the question and idea of general elections, during which the SA president would be elected not only by the VDU Student Parliament (as it was until now), but by the entire university. According to M. Butkaus, such a model would raise students' interest in SA and youth politics, and the candidates themselves would feel more responsible after gaining the trust of university students. Since the presidential elections have already started, there will be no general elections this year. It is planned to hold an informal meeting before this presidential election to discuss this very issue.

Member of Parliament M. Butkus shared information about the current situation of Turkish students. More than a month ago, protests began at a Turkish university. The rector was always elected by the university community, but this year the rector was not elected democratically, but simply appointed to the position. When the student protests began, the police used physical force against the protesters, arresting and even injuring students. The Protestants of the LGBT community received a lot of negative attention in particular. Students are waiting for the support of foreign, especially European countries. A proposal was submitted to submit a resolution to the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Lithuania. It was decided to first get to know the situation more closely, and to move the vote on the approval of the resolution to Saturday.

The current SA president Mr. Vaitiekus informed about the possibility of running for the position of the SA president. Those wishing to apply must submit a completed application, motivation letter and operational guidelines by February 19. 6 p.m. VDU SA Board e-mail by post valdyba@vdusa.lt.

The election of the president of the Lithuanian Student Union is also approaching. We can be happy that Vytautas Kučinskas, an alumni of VDU SA, is one of the candidates. It is planned that the candidate will meet with VMU student representatives in the near future.

The meeting was attended by 48 student representatives and 12 guests. Daniel Macichin was the chairman, Matas Čepurna was the secretary. The next meeting of the student parliament will be held on March 12 during the report-election conference.