Welfare and Learning Environment Policy
Flagship issues
Every year, StInn (Inland Norway Students’ Union) picks a handful of political issues to focus on. For the academic year 2025/2026, these are the flagship issues StInn is working on:
Academics and Research Policy
All courses at INN must be evaluated with student involvement at every stage. The results should be actively used for continuous improvement, and the reports must be made available to all students.
Welfare and Learning Environment Policy
All students should be able to feel safe, and their mental health has to be a priority. Important measures include having SINN’s counselling service physically present on every campus at least one day a week, fast access to mental health support from the local municipalities, and low-threshold, preventive services run by student volunteer organizations.
International Policy
INN has to give students who go on exchange enough information so they leave with realistic expectations, know how to stay safe abroad, can get the most out of their studies, and don’t face unwanted consequences during or after their exchange.
Resolutions
Resolution - Exchange Programs Should Not Penalize Those Aspiring to Become Citizens
Adopted by The Presidium (SST) on June 12, 2025
Students are encouraged to participate in exchange programs during their studies, something the Inland Norway Students’ Union (StInn) fully supports. Unfortunately, recent exchange experiences resulted in two students—one from the University of Inland Norway (INN) and one from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)—being denied their applications for Norwegian citizenship. If exchange programs are to remain a benefit for students and society as a whole, we cannot allow such situations to occur. Students in Norway should be able to feel confident that they can participate in exchange programs without jeopardizing their future.
Resolution on the Use of Artificial Intelligence at HINN
Adopted by The Student Parliament (ST) on April 13, 2024
StInn believes that artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay, and it is essential that Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (HINN) adapts to this development. When using AI, it is crucial that HINN provides adequate training, such as courses and reference materials, for both students and staff. This should cover topics like critical evaluation of sources, citation practices, and ethical training on using AI as a tool.
StInn believes that students should be transparent about their use of AI tools. HINN must provide clear guidelines on which AI services are permitted, as well as when and how students are allowed to use them.
StInn believes that clear citation guidelines for AI use should be established across all faculties at HINN to ensure predictability and consistency in assignments, regardless of where a student studies at HINN.
StInn believes that both students and HINN share a responsibility to reach agreements on the use of AI. This applies to every course students take at HINN.
StInn believes that HINN should include learning objectives in course plans to prepare students for how AI will be used in their respective fields of study.
StInn believes that HINN’s lecturers should promote responsible use of AI so that students can use these tools confidently, knowing their academic integrity is preserved.
StInn believes that lecturers and staff who may handle AI-related matters at HINN must complete a mandatory course on the ethical use of AI and proper citation practices for AI.
StInn believes that HINN should hold AI tool usage to the same strict standards for staff providing grading and feedback on assignments as it does for students writing assignments. Particularly in grading and assigning exam results, it is vital that the final decision is made by a human.
StInn believes that HINN should not make student work available for use in AI models without the explicit and voluntary consent of individual students.
Resolution on Academic Misconduct
Adopted by the Student Parliament on October 14, 2023
StInn believes that students suspected of academic misconduct must be ensured legal protection through clear procedures for documentation, communication, and timely and orderly case handling. The student must have the right to explain their side of the story to Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (HINN). All students should be considered innocent until proven otherwise.
StInn believes that students suspected of academic misconduct should not be excluded from their study program at HINN until the case has been fully processed. This must be demonstrated through proper legal proceedings.
StInn believes that HINN has a responsibility to provide equal training in citation practices to all students. HINN also has a responsibility to provide clear information ahead of all assignments, coursework, exams, master’s theses, and bachelor’s theses about what tools are permitted and what are not.
StInn believes that requiring students to cite themselves to avoid self-plagiarism constitutes a breach of anonymity during exams.
StInn believes that uniform guidelines must be implemented for handling all cases of academic misconduct at HINN.
StInn believes that the current penalties for academic misconduct are far too severe and that a graded system of consequences should be introduced.
StInn believes that this graded system of consequences should include warnings, annulment of the exam, or temporary suspension for up to 1–2 years.
StInn believes that students who are found guilty but are later proven innocent should receive compensation for increased student debt and lost income.
Resolution on the Relocation of Lillehammer Campus
Adopted by the Student Parliament on October 15, 2023
In the event of any changes to a campus, students at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (HINN) must be involved in the process. Students should be allowed to provide input, feedback, and suggestions, which must be considered in the subsequent decision-making process regarding the campus. In situations where campus changes are planned, students at HINN must have the opportunity to express their opinions before any decisions are made.
It must be easy for students to access the campus. The campus should be universally accessible to all students. StInn advocates for student housing to be located near the campus.
StInn demands that the host municipality take responsibility for following up on feedback from host municipality meetings. This is necessary to maintain cooperation, ensure inclusion, and foster a sense of belonging in the municipality.
The campus must meet certain standards regarding air quality, layout, and temperature. The design should accommodate students' needs in both indoor and outdoor environments. The campus should serve as an attractive meeting place for students.
StInn believes that students at any campus should have influence over the interior design of their campus. This includes, but is not limited to: artwork, furniture, colors, and the placement of facilities. This should be facilitated through surveys or ballot elections. StInn also believes that, where possible, artwork created by students should be used.
Architecture has a significant impact on human physical and mental well-being. Students often spend a considerable amount of time at their educational institution, and its design will affect them on both an individual and collective level. Beautiful surroundings inspire, while unattractive environments negatively impact people on multiple levels. StInn believes that a professional committee should be established to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the architectural design of facilities, including aesthetic considerations, before any final decisions on locations are made.
In the event of renovations to the current campus, StInn demands a detailed plan for addressing space-related challenges. This plan must ensure that all study programs remain at their current campus. For example, no program should be relocated from one campus to another. Additionally, such a plan must preserve the current quality of education and should not negatively impact students' daily lives.
StInn believes that fulfilling the points described above is more important than the question of geographical location alone, but a campus close to the city center is preferable.