The voice of the student representatives in the Academic Senate

The USI Academic Senate provides students with the opportunity to serve as representatives of their respective faculties. We share the testimonials of Gionata Battaglioni, a student from the Faculty of Communication, Culture, and Society, and Roberto Palmieri, a student from the Faculty of Informatics.

Gionata and Roberto, during the last legislature, you represented the student body of your Faculty in the Senate. What is the role of the student representatives within the Academic Senate?

GB: "The role of the student representatives in the Academic Senate is to bring the voice of the students to the University's main academic body. This involves actively engaging in discussions and decision-making related to teaching, course organisation, regulations, and the overall future of the University. Their participation is crucial in ensuring that students' needs and concerns are considered."

RP: "During the last legislature, I had the opportunity to represent the students of the Faculty of Informatics in the USI Academic Senate, acting as a bridge between the students and the university institutions. I brought students' needs, suggestions, and concerns directly to the decision-making table. This was an integral part of my responsibilities, and I contributed as much as possible to discussions that affected the entire university community."

The Academic Senate aims to strengthen the cohesion of the University: do you feel you have succeeded in making the students' voices heard?

GB: "We believe we have significantly contributed to amplifying students' voices. We have established an ongoing dialogue with our fellow students, actively gathering feedback and requests, which we then present to the Senate. This approach has enabled us to address important issues while fostering a collaborative and proactive atmosphere within the body."

RP: "Through the meetings in the Academic Senate and the plenary sessions between student associations and the Prorectorate, we managed to make the students' voices heard. Not only did we have the opportunity to bring it back to the university institutions, but also to the Gran Consiglio Ticinese, meeting with the USI-SUPSI Commission."

Can you give concrete examples of issues discussed in the Senate that closely concern the students?

GB: "We recall several issues that were particularly relevant to us, including discussions on adapting and improving teaching regulations, optimising the academic calendar, and addressing the logistical and infrastructural conditions for students, such as classrooms and study spaces. Additionally, we have contributed to the evaluation processes of new educational proposals by incorporating the student perspective into the decision-making process."

RP: "Among the most discussed issues are mainly the improvement of study spaces, mental well-being and cohesion among students. All three topics deal with requests often expressed by the students."

The students' representatives in the Academic Senate are also members of the Student Council, the government of the Student Corporation. What is your role in the Student Council?

GB: "Within the Student Council, we have actively participated in coordination and representation roles. Specifically, we have helped determine the spending priorities for funds allocated to students. Additionally, we have encouraged collaboration between various associations and promoted cultural, social, and educational projects and activities to enhance university life."

RP: "At the same time, my involvement in the Student Council – the Student Corporation's government – led me to personally take care of the financial management of the Student Corporation's budget, ensuring that resources were allocated efficiently. This role allowed me to select and support the numerous socio-cultural projects and activities proposed by the various associations."

How did your experience in the Senate and Student Council enrich your education and growth?

GB: "The experience in the Senate and the Student Council was extremely educational. It allowed us to develop transversal skills such as negotiation, institutional communication, time management and leadership. It also strengthened our awareness of how the University works and the value of dialogue between students, professors and institutions, making us more responsible and proactive in our academic and personal development."

RP: "This dual experience has enriched me enormously. I have not only learned to manage the complexities of budgeting and accounting, but I have also had the opportunity to observe the dynamics of the Senate up close. This experience has taught me that, amid the black and white of differing opinions, it is possible to identify the 'shades of grey' that lead to collective consensus and concrete solutions. I have grown both professionally and personally, developing communication, organisational, and negotiation skills that I carry with me on my educational and professional journey."