Student news reveals a range of varied challenges. Mobilisations are being organised against university policies and the housing crisis. International students face administrative obstacles while acts of cruelty towards animals provoke outrage. At the same time, diplomatic tensions are emerging following the suspension of visas for certain students. Meanwhile, a debate is stirring in Switzerland regarding its participation in the Erasmus programme and its implications for the mobility of national students. These news stories highlight the multiple challenges students face in terms of precariousness, mobility, and educational opportunities worldwide.
Keywords: News, student, press review.
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In Strasbourg, as mentioned by Rue89 Strasbourg, a group of students recently expressed their dissatisfaction with the Crous policies, which they consider detrimental and unfair. The students gathered in front of the Gallia university restaurant to denounce these policies. Among the issues raised, the shortage of housing offered by Crous in Strasbourg is a major concern. With more than 10,000 student applications and fewer than 5,000 available accommodations, many students find themselves in precarious situations. International students are particularly affected by these policies. The testimony of Ken, a student from Congo threatened with eviction from his university residence managed by Crous, illustrates the precariousness faced by international students. Ken received an eviction notice due to issues related to his residence permit and unpaid fees. Fortunately, with the help of Solidaires Étudiant-e-s Strasbourg, he obtained a reprieve until the end of September.
On the other hand, actu reports that a Cameroonian student in Lille was dismissed by the administrative court after taking legal action following an « unfavourable opinion » issued by the prefect regarding his final year internship at an insurance company. The student had received an internship offer from Matmut, but the prefect had refused to endorse the internship agreement, which would have prevented the validation of his degree. However, the court ruled that the student was not subject to this requirement of visa endorsement for the internship agreement, given that he already held a « Job Search - Business Creation » residence permit. Therefore, the prefect’s unfavourable opinion did not prevent the student from undertaking his internship.
In line with this idea of challenges faced by students, provence alpes tells us that the Animal Protection Foundation, 30 Millions d’Amis, has filed a complaint against a student in Marseille who was filmed chewing a live mouse during an initiation party. The incident took place on a Prado beach and was filmed by a student present at the party. The video shows the student putting the live mouse in his mouth twice, chewing it until it died, under the incredulous gaze of his peers. The scene was shared in a private group before being forwarded to the Animal Protection Foundation. The perpetrator of this act of cruelty faces a sentence of five years in prison and a €75,000 fine.
Huffpost presents the suspension of visa issuance to students from the Sahel (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger) due to diplomatic tensions with the new military authorities of these countries, leading to the closure of consular services. This decision follows the suspension of French development aid, including mobility scholarships. However, the Ministry of Higher Education has announced a reassessment of the situation based on the evolution of security in the region. Sahelian students already in France will continue to receive financial aid from Campus France. Despite initial controversies, France will continue to welcome artists from the Sahel, and the Minister of Culture has assured that there will be no boycott and that an explanatory message will be sent to clarify the situation.
In Switzerland, the debate focuses on student mobility and the possibility for the country to reintegrate the Erasmus programme. Le Temps reveals that in 2014, Switzerland was excluded from Erasmus following a referendum in favour of the « Against Mass Immigration » initiative. This had a significant impact on Swiss universities and international exchange opportunities for students. Since then, Switzerland has implemented a « Swiss solution » based on bilateral partnerships between Swiss and foreign universities, funded by the Swiss government. Although this system allows students to benefit from mobility scholarships of 200 francs per month, some regret the limitation of mobility and exchange opportunities with other European countries resulting from the exclusion from Erasmus.
The question of Switzerland’s reintegration into Erasmus remains open. Discussions have taken place between Switzerland and the European Union, but no definitive agreement has been reached so far. Reintegrating Erasmus would be beneficial for Swiss students, offering more opportunities for mobility and international exchanges.
Student precariousness and the issue of mobility are major challenges faced by students in France and other parts of the world, such as Switzerland. The student protests in Strasbourg highlight the Crous policies deemed detrimental and unfair, particularly for international students.
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