"Your vote for the semester ticket!"
Referendum on the Introduction of a Semester Ticket at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences
“Why isn’t there a semester ticket here?” is a phrase likely heard often these days among new students in the student canteens at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. For years now, the lack of a semester ticket at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (HSZG) has been a recurring topic of discussion among students. The Student Council (StuRa) is now addressing this issue once again.
The reason for this renewed survey of the student body is the discontinuation of student-related services offered by ZVON as part of the introduction of the Saxon Education Ticket, which does not include students. A final referendum on the introduction of the semester ticket took place in the summer semester of 2017.
Uta Lemke, head of the Higher Education Policy Department, states:
The introduction of the education ticket has once again clearly shown that we are not keeping up with the times when it comes to mobility. Almost all other colleges and universities in the Free State of Saxony offer a semester ticket. In principle, the decision to introduce a semester ticket rests with the Student Council. However, we want to ensure a high level of acceptance among the student body, which is why we have decided to hold a student referendum. In light of ZVON’s proposal, we as the Student Council are now aiming to introduce a semester ticket starting in March 2022.”
”The ZVON offer includes the use of all public transport within the ZVON network area and the use of local rail transport throughout the Free State of Saxony. The introduction of a semester ticket would be based on the principle of solidarity, so that all students, regardless of their usage behavior, would receive the semester ticket equally and finance it in solidarity.
Jonas Pfeiffer, Head of the Department for Sustainability and Environmental Protection, adds:
One aspect of introducing the semester ticket is, of course, the shift toward sustainable mobility necessitated by the climate crisis; we also hope it will make the university more attractive. We are, of course, pleased to have the University Executive Board’s support in this regard. Beyond that, however, we also see a social benefit for students who rely on public transportation and for whom a semester ticket could provide significant financial relief.”
”Against this background, a semester ticket will be introduced even if there is no majority in the student body, but at least 500 students vote for the introduction of a semester ticket. For the ballot to be valid, at least 20% of those eligible to vote must cast their vote. Otherwise, the Student Council decides independently and autonomously.
The student body’s referendum is being accompanied by a comprehensive campaign providing all the information about a potential semester ticket. Starting this week, a variety of posters have been displayed across campus, and the StuRa is also providing information about the ticket’s coverage at information booths in the student canteens. Next Monday, October 25, 2021, the StuRa will host a digital information session on the semester ticket starting at 5 p.m.
Link: https://bbb.hszg.de/b/mat-xcf-uf4-k8x
Access code: 748231
The vote will take place online next week, from October 25 to 31. All on-campus students at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences are eligible to vote. Students will receive the link to the poll via email on October 25!
Further information can be found at stura.hszg.de/semesterticket
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