If you want a more detailed insight into our bodies, you should read the Mandate for Bodies in StInn.
The decision-making bodies
StInn has a lot to say about student politics and how the work of the student organization should function. It’s the decision-making bodies that approve these matters during their meetings. Through broad representation and meaningful discussions, the best solutions rise to the top.
The Student Parliament (ST)
The highest body in StInn is the Student Parliament (ST). They hold a large meeting twice a year to make the biggest decisions for the organization. The political direction, principal decisions, and the most significant elections are decided by the Student Parliament. They usually meet in mid-October and early April.
The Student Parliament has 27 seats, which are proportionally distributed across the six campuses. In September, all students at each campus can vote for the delegates who will represent them in the Student Parliament. If seats become vacant or there are too few elected delegates, the empty seats can be filled through supplementary elections throughout the year.
You can get in touch with the Student Parliament via st.stinn@inn.no
The Presidium (SST)
In the periods between Student Parliament (ST) meetings, the Presidium (SST) makes the major decisions for StInn. This is where significant but more detailed decisions that affect StInn’s daily operations are made, such as budgets, strategies, and the appointment of student representatives to external bodies. The Presidium meets once a month.
The Presidium is led by the Presidium Leader and Deputy Presidium Leader, who focus on the organizational aspects of StInn. The leaders of each Local Executive Committee (SRU) and the leader of the Executive Committee (AU) are also members of the Presidium.
You can get in touch with the Presidium via sst.stinn@inn.no
The Student Councils (SR)
Each campus has its own Student Council, which makes the major decisions that only affect their specific campus. They set the direction for local policies, approve the Student Council's action plan, and elect representatives to their Local Executive Committee (SRU) and Faculty Councils (FR). The Student Council must meet at least once per semester but usually gathers 2–4 times each semester.
The Student Council consists of class representatives from each class at the campus. Classes elect their representatives and deputies at the start of each autumn semester. The Student Council often also serves as a meeting place for class representatives, where they can share the issues they face in their classes and possibly uncover larger systemic problems across classes.
You can contact the Student Council at your campus via these addresses:
- blastad.stinn@inn.no
- elverum.stinn@inn.no
- evenstad.stinn@inn.no
- hamar.stinn@inn.no
- lillehammer.stinn@inn.no
- rena.stinn@inn.no
The Executive Bodies
After the decision-making bodies have decided what StInn should stand for, it's important to have someone who can bring these decisions to life. This is the role of the executive bodies. If there's something StInn can handle on its own, it's the executive bodies that take care of it. And when there's something the university or other partners should address, it's the executive bodies that attend meetings to convince them to act in line with what StInn believes is the right course of action.
The Executive Committee (AU)
The political work of StInn is led by the Executive Committee (AU). The policies decided by the Student Parliament (ST) and the Presidium (SST) are implemented by the Executive Committee. When StInn is represented in major meetings with partners, it’s usually members of the Executive Committee who speak on behalf of the students in Innlandet. Each member also leads a specific body within StInn, focusing on different political aspects. The Executive Committee meets as needed and maintains constant internal communication.
The Executive Committee is led by the Executive Committee Leader and Deputy Leader, who focus on the political part of StInn. The committee also includes the Academics and Research Officer, Welfare and Learning Environment Policy Officer, International Policy Officer, and Communications Officer. All members are elected by the Student Parliament during the spring semester.
You can contact the Executive Committee via: au.stinn@inn.no
The Local Executive Committees (SRU)
Just as each campus has its own Student Council, they also have their own Local Executive Committee (SRU) to carry out the decisions made by the Student Council. When StInn attends meetings concerning a specific campus, it’s usually members of the Local Executive Committee who speak on behalf of the students at that campus. Each member also belongs to a specific body within StInn, focusing on the responsibilities of their role. The Local Executive Committee meets as needed and maintains constant internal communication.
The Local Executive Committees are led by the Local Executive Committee Leader and Deputy Leader, who focus on their respective campus. The committees also include an Academics and Research Officer, a Welfare and Learning Environment Policy Officer, an International Policy Officer, and a Communications Officer. All members are elected by their Student Council in September.
You can contact the Local Executive Committee at your campus via these addresses:
- blastad.stinn@inn.no
- elverum.stinn@inn.no
- evenstad.stinn@inn.no
- hamar.stinn@inn.no
- lillehammer.stinn@inn.no
- rena.stinn@inn.no
The Leadership Committee (LU)
To coordinate all the elected representatives working both locally and centrally, the Leadership Committee (LU) meets to align their efforts. The Leadership Committee consists of everyone with "leader" in their title, which includes most members of the Presidium (SST), such as the Presidium Leader, the Executive Committee Leader, and the leaders of each Student Council. Additionally, the leader of the Control and Constitutional Committee (KKU) and the leader of the Election Committee (VK) also participate.
Unlike the Presidium, the Leadership Committee holds shorter meetings once a week, focusing more on updating each other on their work rather than making decisions. When the Leadership Committee makes decisions, they primarily concern the coordination of tasks.
You can contact the Leadership Committee via stinn@inn.no. Make sure to mention the Leadership Committee in your email.
The Organizational Committee (OU)
StInn has many elected representatives, and the Organizational Committee (OU) works to support them. They follow up with representatives through performance reviews, recruit representatives to fill positions in bodies that lack members, and organize major social gatherings each semester. They are essentially StInn's HR department and party committee. When the Organizational Committee makes decisions, they focus on representatives and their support systems.
The Organizational Committee consists of everyone with "deputy leader" in their title. It is led by the Deputy Leader of the Executive Committee, and its members include the Deputy Leader of the Presidium (SST) and the Deputy Leaders of each Student Council. Additionally, a member from the Control and Constitutional Committee (KKU) and a member from the Election Committee (VK) participate. They meet once a week.
You can contact the Organizational Committee via: ou.stinn@inn.no
The PR and Promotion Committee (PRPU)
Not all students at the University of Inland Norway (INN) know what StInn is or what we do. That’s why we have the PR and Promotion Committee (PRPU), which works to introduce more people to StInn. They manage our social media channels, produce videos and printed materials, and keep the website updated. The work of the PR and Promotion Committee is more like an editorial team than a political committee.
The PR and Promotion Committee consists of everyone with "Communications Officer" in their title. It is led by the Communications Officer of the Executive Committee (AU), and all Communications Officers from the Local Executive Committees (SRU) are members. They meet once a week.
You can contact the PR and Promotion Committee via: prpu.stinn@inn.no
The Controlling Body
StInn can have many opinions and take many actions. But since the representatives are regular students, we need someone to keep an extra eye on things to ensure that what is being said and done actually makes sense and follows the rules. This is where the Controlling Body comes in.
The Control and Constitutional Committee (KKU)
StInn has many documents outlining what we stand for and how the work should be carried out. It’s not easy to keep track of everything, and sometimes the content can be ambiguous or incomplete. Luckily, we have the Control and Constitutional Committee (KKU), whose job is to be well-versed in these documents. They are the only ones with the authority to provide interpretations when there’s uncertainty about what has been decided.
The Control and Constitutional Committee consists of a leader and two members. They are an independent body and therefore do not engage in political work. Their role is not to express personal opinions but to clarify what the documents mean. The Control and Constitutional Committee meets as needed.
You can contact the Control and Constitutional Committee via: kku.stinn@inn.no
The Advisory Bodies
There are many significant and important matters to be decided by the decision-making bodies during their meetings, often within complex fields with many possible solutions. It can be challenging to find the best solutions if everything is handled only during the meetings. That’s why the advisory bodies do the groundwork, diving deep into the matters at hand and providing well-thought-out proposals and advice to those making the decisions.
The Election Committee (VK)
There are many positions in StInn that need to be filled, and some leadership roles where it’s especially important to find strong candidates. That’s why the Election Committee (VK) works to headhunt candidates and advise the bodies conducting the elections on which candidates are best suited.
The Election Committee consists of a leader and two members. They meet as needed, usually in the months leading up to the Student Parliament (ST) meetings and when major positions require a supplementary election.
You can contact the Election Committee via vk.stinn@inn.no
The Academics and Research Policy Committee (FFPK)
What types of exams should be prioritized, and which should be avoided? How much of the teaching should be practical, and how much should be theoretical? What requirements should be set for lecturers and course coordinators? These are some examples of academic and research policy issues.
The Academics and Research Policy Committee (FFPK) consists of everyone with "Academics and Research Officer" in their title. It is led by the Academics and Research Officer of the Executive Committee (AU), and all Academics and Research Officers in the Local Executive Committees (SRU) are members. They meet once a week.
You can contact the Academics and Research Policy Committee via stinn@inn.no. Make sure to mention the Academics and Research Policy Committee in your email.
The Welfare and Learning Environment Policy Committee (LMPK)
What types of student health services are essential, and who should be responsible for ensuring these services are available? How should a physical learning environment be designed to help students perform at their best? What about a digital learning environment? Or a psychosocial learning environment? These are some examples of welfare and learning environment policy issues.
The Welfare and Learning Environment Policy Committee (LMPK) consists of everyone with "Welfare and Learning Environment Policy Officer" in their title. It is led by the Welfare and Learning Environment Policy Officer of the Executive Committee (AU), and all Welfare and Learning Environment Policy Officers in the Local Executive Committees (SRU) are members. They meet once a week.
You can contact the Welfare and Learning Environment Policy Committee via stinn@inn.no. Make sure to mention the Welfare and Learning Environment Policy Committee in your email.
The International Policy Committee (IPK)
Should studying in Norway be free for international students? What accommodations should international students receive to ensure the best study experience at INN? How should INN work to ensure that their students have opportunities to go on exchanges? These are some examples of international policy issues.
The International Policy Committee (IPK) consists of everyone with "International Policy Officer" in their title. It is led by the International Policy Officer of the Executive Committee (AU), and all International Policy Officers in the Local Executive Committees (SRU) are members. They meet once a week.
You can contact the International Policy Committee via stinn@inn.no. Make sure to mention the International Policy Committee in your email.
The External Bodies
There are many places where students have representatives working to improve the everyday lives of all students, and it’s StInn’s responsibility to appoint these student representatives. Here, you’ll find an overview of all the bodies with student representatives. If you’re interested in becoming a student representative yourself, you can learn more about the roles here. Please note that there are a handful of bodies where you become a student representative through holding a specific StInn position.
The University Board
The highest body at the University of Inland Norway (INN) is the University Board (Universitetsstyret). They oversee the rector and make the biggest decisions that INN can take. The board consists of many representatives, including two student representatives, each with their own deputy representative. They are elected by all students at INN through a ballot election held at the end of the spring semester.
You can learn more about the University Board, including how to contact them, on this subpage.
The Student Association Board
The highest body of the Student Association of Innlandet (SINN) is the Student Association Board (Studentsamskipnadsstyret). They oversee the Chief Executive Officer and make the biggest decisions that SINN can take. The board consists of many representatives, including four student representatives, each with their own deputy representative. Students also always hold the positions of board chair and deputy chair. Two main representatives and two deputy representatives are elected for a two-year term every April by the Student Parliament (ST) of StInn.
Study program Committees (SPU)
Each study program is required to have a Study Program Committee (SPU) where all class representatives from the program, all course coordinators, and the program coordinator meet. They address the evaluation and quality assurance of the study program, as well as the social environment within the program. Each year, the program coordinator must write a quality report for the study program, which is presented to the committee for discussion. The report is based, among other things, on course evaluations within the program. Study Program Committees typically meet twice per semester.
Faculty Councils
The Faculty Councils are central forums for discussing major issues and perspectives within each faculty. They are advisory bodies that handle matters related to the faculty's strategy and academic activities. The councils include representation from the faculty's leadership (dean), academic staff, student representatives, and external representatives from the workforce, society, and business sectors.
You can read more about the Faculty Councils, including how to contact them, on this subpage.
The Education Committee (UU)
The central committee for approving study plans and ensuring the quality of education at INN is called the Education Committee (UU). This is where the creation of new study programs and significant changes to existing ones are approved. Quality reports from each faculty are compiled into the institution’s overall education quality report, which receives input from the Education Committee. The committee meets once a month. Two student representatives and their deputies are appointed by the Presidium (SST) of StInn towards the end of the spring semester.
You can read more about the Education Committee, including how to contact them, on this subpage.
The Learning Environment Committee (LMU)
A learning environment can take many forms. Students at INN have physical, digital, and psychosocial learning environments that are crucial to their student life. That’s why INN has the Learning Environment Committee (LMU) to ensure these environments are well-maintained. The committee addresses major issues that impact the learning environment for all students at INN, not just at individual campuses. The committee also reviews the cases submitted through the "Speak Up" system to ensure they are being handled appropriately.
Students are represented by the Welfare and Learning Environment Policy Officer from the Executive Committee (AU) and all Local Executive Committees (SRU).
Campus Committee
Just as the Learning Environment Committee (LMU) ensures the overall learning environment at INN, the Campus Committees focus on maintaining the learning environment at individual campuses. The Campus Committees were previously called Campus Councils. Student representatives from StInn, StudINN, and other local student groups bring forward issues that arise within their organizations, particularly those reported by class representatives in the Student Councils.
You can read more about the Campus Committees, including how to contact them, on this subpage.
The Research and Development Committee (FoU-utvalget)
In addition to education, the University of Inland Norway (INN) is also involved in research activities, as well as artistic and academic development work. The Research and Development Committee focuses on these areas, as well as the university's Ph.D. programs. The Academics and Research Officer from StInn's Executive Committee (AU) serves as the permanent student representative in the committee.
The Suitability Committee (Skikkethetsnemda)
INN offers several study programs where students are trained to work with vulnerable individuals or groups, such as children or patients. In these programs, students are continuously assessed to determine if they are suitable for the profession. A student who is found to pose a potential risk to those they encounter during practice or in their profession is deemed unsuitable and may be expelled from the program.
If there is a concern that a student is unsuitable for the profession, the Suitability Committee at the university reviews the case and submits a recommendation to the university's Appeal Board, which makes the final decision on the matter.
The Suitability Committee consists of two academic leaders from the university, two academic staff members, two student representatives, two representatives from the professional field, and an external representative with a law degree. The committee only meets when a case is submitted.
You can read more about the Suitability Committee, including how to contact them, on this subpage.
The Appeal Board (Nemnd for studentsaker)
The Appeal Board handles and makes decisions on cases reported by the faculties involving suspicions of cheating and remarks on police certificates. The board also makes decisions on suitability cases reported by the Suitability Committee.
Additionally, the Appeal Board serves as the appeals body for students regarding individual decisions made by various units at the university.
The Appeal Board is chaired by a judge from the Court of Appeal and also includes two academic staff members and two student representatives.
You can read more about the Appeal Board, including how to contact them, on this subpage.
Committee for Cooperation with Working Life (RSA)
It’s important that the education INN provides to students is relevant to the workforce. That’s why maintaining good communication with the labor market is essential to align education with actual needs. This is achieved through the Committee for Cooperation with Working Life (RSA), where some of the most important actors in Innlandet's workforce are members. The committee meets twice a year, with the possibility of additional meetings as needed. The leader of the Executive Committee (AU) in StInn serves as the permanent student representative on the committee. Another student representative is appointed by the Presidium (SST) of StInn towards the end of the spring semester.
The Associate Professor Committee (Førstelektorsutvalget)
An associate professor is a position ranked between lecturer and professor, classified as a first-level academic position. The next level is becoming a professor. Student representatives in the Associate Professor Committee participate in reviewing applications for admission to a training program that qualifies candidates for associate professor positions at INN, as well as other matters related to their role.
The committee meets twice a year, and these meetings provide valuable insight into the work and responsibilities of associate professors. Representatives will work with a group of highly experienced and friendly individuals. The committee includes one student representative and one deputy representative, both appointed by the Presidium (SST) of StInn towards the end of the spring semester.
Diversity and Equality Committee
The committee’s tasks are rooted in INN’s action plan, covering areas such as organization and leadership, research, academic and artistic development, education, recruitment and development, as well as other responsibilities like the Charter & Code. International perspectives should be reflected in the committee’s work. The committee’s role is to support, provide recommendations, and assist in implementing the measures outlined in the Action Plan for Equality and Diversity.
The committee aims to raise awareness among leaders and staff regarding work related to equality and diversity. The key focus areas for the period include gender, ethnicity, and the inclusion of individuals with disabilities or employment gaps. Several proposed measures will be assessed before being implemented.
The committee can initiate measures and evaluate their effects through the respective leadership lines.
EMERGE Student Forum
The University of Inland Norway (INN) is a partner in the European university alliance EMERGE (European Margins Engaging for Regional and Global Empowerment). The student organizations within the alliance collaborate through the EMERGE Student Forum (ESF), where StInn is, of course, a partner. The university has been part of EMERGE since 2019, and StInn has been part of ESF since its inception in December 2020.
ESF works with the university alliance in much the same way that StInn works with the university. This includes acting as a sparring partner, providing advice on what students think, and ensuring their interests are safeguarded. In ESF, the members are students from the same alliance universities that are part of the EMERGE alliance. Currently, two elected representatives from StInn serve as representatives in ESF.
You can read more about the EMERGE university alliance on their website. To learn more about ESF and StInn’s participation, contact the International Policy Officer in the Executive Committee (AU).
Appointment Committees
From time to time, the highest positions at the University of Inland Norway (INN) need to be filled. This includes roles such as the rector, pro-rectors, and deans. In these cases, a thorough process is conducted, and an appointment committee is formed where students must be represented. The committee interviews candidates for the position and provides its recommendation to the University Board regarding who should be hired. Once the hiring process is completed, the committee is dissolved. Student representatives are appointed by the Presidium (SST) of StInn as needed.