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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Slovenian Student Union
- Assembly
- Presidency
- Committees
Slovenian Student Union
Slovenian Student Union (ŠOS) is the representative organization of all Slovenian students as well as all students studying in Slovenia. Its mission is to advocate for and protect their interests and needs at Slovenian faculties, higher education institutions, academies, short cycle higher vocational institutions, as well as in universities abroad.
With the establishment of the new state, ŠOS received a new legal foundation in 1994 through the Act on the Community of Students (ZSkuS). The idea of unified student national student representation began to take full shape after the adoption of the Student Constitution in 2002. According to this Constitution, ŠOS is composed of the following member organizations: Student Organization of the University of Ljubljana (ŠOU Ljubljana), Student Organization of the University of Maribor (ŠOUM), Student Organization of the University of Primorska (ŠOUP), and the Council of Student Organizations of Local Communities (ŠOLS).
As the national umbrella student organization, ŠOS strives to improve study conditions and opportunities, the social status of students, as well as the development of extracurricular and interest-based activities. It pursues these goals primarily through active involvement in the development of national policies and programs in the areas of higher education, scholarships, student housing, student work and more. Significant attention is also devoted to issues of student healthcare and the employment of young graduates.
ŠOS collaborates with the Government of the Republic of Slovenia on resolving student-related issues primarily through the Government Council for Student Affairs and the Government Council for Youth. Cooperation is most intensive with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation and the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. To ensure that decisions adopted at the national level are implemented as effectively and efficiently as possible at the university and local levels, university student organizations and student clubs coordinate their activities within ŠOS bodies. At the same time, we actively cooperate with university student councils and other important student bodies and associations, also internationally – for example, within the framework of the European Students union (ESU).
Assembly
Assembly of Slovenian Student Organization is the highest representative body of students in the Republic of Slovenia. It is composed of the student assemblies of university student organizations (ŠOU Assemblies) and the Council of Student Organizations of Local Communities (Council of ŠOLS). The main responsibilities of the ŠOS Assembly are adopting the Student Constitution and other general acts regulating the supervision of elections and the financial operations of ŠOS bodies and organizational structures,electing, appointing, and dismissing members of ŠOS bodies in accordance with the acts, adopting financial plans, reports, and strategic documents on the work of student organizations, as well as other tasks defined by the Student Constitution.
Presidency
Presidency of ŠOS is the executive body of ŠOS. It is composed of the President of ŠOS, the presidents of the executive bodies of the student organizations of university of Ljubljana, the President of the Council of ŠOLS, and one additional representative from each of these entities. The Presidency represents and manages ŠOS. It submits to the ŠOS Assembly for adoption of the annual financial plan and report, as well as proposals for the appointment of the Secretary General and the President of ŠOS. From among its members, the Presidency appoints the Chairs of the Standing committees of ŠOS.
Committees
Committee for Higher Education
The committee primarily deals with systematic and substantive issues in Slovenia’s higher education system. Its main areas of focus include: The bologna Process and its implementation and evaluation; higher education legislation; financing education and quality assurance in higher education.
Committee on Social and Health Issues
The committee addresses a wide range of areas that are interconnected and directly affect the social situations of students. Its priority fields include scholarships, student work and employment, student housing, student families, subsidized student meals, health insurance and students’ health rights, income tax, and other aspects of financial and material (in)equality among students.
International Cooperation Committee
The Committee ensures the involvement of Slovenian student representation within the European Students Union (ESU) and fosters regional cooperation with student organizations, particularly in the Balkans. It also supports the work of other committees by facilitating contacts with international organizations and ensuring the flow of information across borders.
Committee on Extracurricular and Student Interest activities
The Committee coordinates joint projects of ŠOS and its organizational units (e.g., the Student Blood Donation Campaign) and is responsible for informing the public and promoting the work of the Slovenian Student Union.