Student Life Takes Shape atUM
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 issues, 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 areas of health/prevention and social support. “The COVID-19 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, which Gautier Jaunin considers a priority in its own right: “ We want to recognize the students who are actively involved on campus, whether through student organizations or as elected representatives.”
Four cross-cutting themes have also been identified and are the focus of particular attention regardless of the specific areas addressed: inclusion of people with disabilities, sustainable development policy, harmonization of student life across all campuses—particularly at off-campus locations—and a sense of belonging toUM. “ It is essential to remember that our geographic scope of action is the entire University, and this scope is vast. Every student enrolled atUM, wherever they may be, must feel like a student ofUM.”
"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 collaboration of a wide range of stakeholders, such as the University Department of Physical and Sports Activities (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 atUM. “The goal wasn’t to tear everything down and rebuild it from scratch, ” emphasizes Gautier Jaunin. “We need to look at what’s working well and keep it, and also look at what isn’t working as well so we can improve it. Academic departments, schools, institutes, student organizations, student representatives, administrative leadership, and support services all participated in this assessment to help us develop a comprehensive view of student life atUM set our plan on the right track.”
"Staying the Course"
Following this consultation phase, the BVE will still have a few 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, at the latest, early November”for implementation in early 2022. Why this date?“Because January 2022 will mark the launch of the experimental institution. There’s a certain logic to all of this.”
From this point on, the work is just beginning for the BVE, which—before this master plan’s scheduled expiration in 2027—is already planning a new 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.”