Student life is taking shape at UM
On November 18, the University of Montpellier’s Board of Trustees approved the new master plan for student life. Gautier Jaunin, student vice president, led the consultation process alongside the Office of Student Life, focusing on key areas: sports, culture, campus life, health, social services, and student engagement. (Last updated on December 8, 2021).
This was one of the recommendations made by the High Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher Education (see: Hcéres Report: “An undeniable success”): to establish a master plan for student life at the University of Montpellier. This has been in place since November 18, 2021. “ “What we call student life,” explains Gautier Jaunin, student vice president, “is everything done—in addition to academic programs—to promote students’ well-being and personal growth: events, student organizations, health services, sports programs… The master plan is designed to provide direction for student life on campus and to outline our goals for the next five years.”
“Recognizing students who get involved”
Key priorities were identified to develop this master plan for student life. In addition to essential areas such as sports and culture, the Office of Student Life (BVE) sought to strengthen the health/prevention and social welfare priorities. “The COVID crisis has highlighted the extent of student financial insecurity more than ever before. Providing psychological support to students is also a major priority,” emphasizes the vice president, a fifth-year medical student. Campus life is on the agenda, as is the issue of student engagement, a priority in its own right according to Gautier Jaunin: “ We want to recognize students who are actively involved on campus, whether in student organizations or as elected representatives.”
Four cross-cutting themes have also been identified and are receiving special attention regardless of the specific areas addressed. These include the inclusion of people with disabilities, sustainable development policies, the harmonization of student life across all campuses—particularly at off-campus locations—and a sense of belonging to UM. “ It is essential to remember that our geographic scope of action is the entire University, and this scope is vast. Every student enrolled at UM, wherever they may be, must feel like a student of UM.”
“Don’t break everything”
While the student vice president serves as the political leader of this initiative and the Campus Life Office (DVC) as the administrative leader, its implementation requires the cooperation of a wide range of stakeholders, including the University Department of Physical Education and Sports (SUAPS), the Joint Department of Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion (SCMPPS), the University Health Center, the Office of International Relations, student associations, and, of course, the CROUS.
To develop this master plan as effectively as possible, the BVE launched a broad consultation process that took place throughout the month of July. The goal: to assess the current state of student life at UM. “The aim wasn’t to tear everything down and start from scratch, ” emphasizes Gautier Jaunin. “We need to look at what works well and keep it, and also look at what doesn’t work as well to improve it. Academic departments, schools, institutes, student organizations, student representatives, administrative leadership, and support services all participated in this assessment to help us arrive at a comprehensive view of student life at UM and set our plan on the right course.”
"Stay the course"
Following this consultation phase, the BVE will have a few more weeks to refine its plan and finalize the draft before the University reopens in late August. It will then be put to a vote by the Board of Trustees “ in late October or early November at the latest” for implementation in early 2022. Why this date?“Because January 2022 will mark the launch of the experimental institution. There is a certain logic to all of this.”
From here on out, the work is only just beginning for the BVE, which—ahead of the master plan’s scheduled expiration in 2027—is already planning another round of consultations within the next two and a half years. “Five years is a long time. For certain medium-term objectives, we believe it is necessary to conduct a mid-term review. This will allow us to make any necessary adjustments and stay on the course we have set for ourselves.”