Why expand public transport?
In times of climate crisis, travelling by public transport must be attractive and affordable for students. In Upper Austria and also in the city centre of Linz, we believe that the full potential has not yet been reached. In the ÖH and with the city government, we will campaign for the following points:
Urban railway & express bus!
The construction of the urban railway must be a priority project. The 30-minute commute by tram from the main station to the university is not ideal and the 18-minute express bus is hardly ever used due to its irregular journey times. There needs to be an urban railway connection from the main station to Mühlkreisbahnhof, as well as a connection from the main station to Auhof, which should also be extended to Pregarten/Gallneukirchen in the future!
Climate ticket funding pot!
JKU is a university with an exceptionally high number of car commuters. We think JKU should support sustainable public transport and that a funding pot for the climate ticket should be set up. This should be financed partly from ÖH funds, but mainly through income from JKU parking fees – parking should not become more expensive! Travelling to university and switching to public transport must be affordable!
Free public transport!
Back in the 70s and 80s, public transport was free for students in Austria. This not only made university more accessible for working class students, but would also be a measure for a greener future. Climate and social issues go hand in hand. We are in contact with representatives of the city of Linz to make the expansion of public transport and free travel for students a priority!
Why?
Many students would like to live near the university. However, this is often not possible due to the long waiting lists in student dorms and increased prices. Time is overdue for the operators of student residences and the city government to take action and create more places for a growing student population.
How to get there?
We as VSStÖ are in direct contact with the student dorm operators and city representatives in order to give a voice to the many who suffer from the housing problem. We want the city government to create the funds and conditions necessary for the expansion of student dorms. At the federal level, VSStÖ is campaigning for the reintroduction of subsidies for building student dorms to combat the shortage of space and exploding rents.
Where to build?
The former IBIS Hotel in the immediate vicinity of Linz’s main railway station has been empty for some time. Instead of this waste of potential living space, we say: Students could live here. A non-profit housing association could create a home here with student-friendly rent prices near a public transportation hub.
Keep rents low!
Almost every tenth flat in Linz has been empty for more than six months. That’s 10,000 empty flats that remain unused. More than half of JKU students could be accommodated here! It’s clear to us that Upper Austria needs a vacancy tax, so that space can be used for people to live there, instead of speculation. More supply can counteract the rising rents but a rent cap is also needed!
More courses, more opportunities!
Too few courses, overcrowded tutorial groups, hardly any flexibility – it’s time for a change! We demand: More courses need to be offered, including at off-peak times and as block dates. Whenever feasible, every course should be available each semester! To achieve this, fair funding is necessary: The budget for tertiary education must be increased to 2.5% of the GDP. Our future is not the place to cut costs!
Exam Availability & Planning
At our universities, for exams conducted as a single examination process (e.g., lectures), the law requires that three exam dates to be offered per semester. Additionally, students must be informed at the beginning of the semester about the content, format, methods, dates, and assessment criteria (Universitätsgesetz § 76 (3))!
Yet, many professors ignore parts of this regulation! This restricts our freedom and makes flexible study planning nearly impossible.
We demand: Follow the rules! Every student should be able to structure their studies in a way that suits them. More transparency, more fairness, more autonomy – for a university that truly supports us!
Digitalization Now!
Overcrowded lecture halls, inflexible curricula, missed lectures – this can’t go on! The outdated argument of a “presence-based university” systematically disadvantages working students and those with caregiving responsibilities. The in-person requirement is also often a hurdle for neurodivergent or physically disabled students. And when you’re sick, you’re still expected to drag yourself to class.
Knowledge must be accessible to everyone. We demand: All lectures must be recorded and made available on Moodle! More online and hybrid tutorials for a flexible and inclusive study experience! Illness should always be a valid exception to attendance requirements!
The technology exists – use it! Digitalization now, for a university that finally arrives in the 21st century!
A Sustainable Mensa!
Vegan diets have been on the rise for years. It is only logical that the JKU meets this growing demand. Universities often act as cultural trendsetters – so why not in this area as well? It is time to make the cafeteria future-proof by incorporating more plant-based options.
Plant-based meals are, on average, 30% cheaper than meat-based dishes. These savings could be used to lower cafeteria prices – without additional costs for students. That’s why we demand an expanded selection of vegan meals!
Antidiscrimination
Some lecturers at JKU still display inappropriate behavior through racist, sexist, or otherwise insensitive remarks. An inclusive university needs faculty members who treat their students with respect. We therefore demand anti-discrimination training for JKU teaching staff!
Free Menstrual Products
In the past, we successfully secured funds from the JKU rectorate for menstrual products. However, these currently have to be purchased and provided by the ÖH (student union) – meaning by students themselves. We demand that menstrual products be restocked by university staff and fully funded by JKU, just like toilet paper.
JKU as a Cultural Campus
We advocate for a sustainable and creative redesign of JKU to foster an inspiring learning and working environment. JKU and Art University students, university staff, and local artists should be actively involved in the design process. This would transform JKU into a cultural space enriched with murals, sculptures, paintings, and more. We aim to develop a concept in collaboration with the university administration through the student union.
From 13 to 15 May 2025, you have the opportunity to elect your representatives for the Austrian Students Union (ÖH). As a JKU student, you can vote at the polling station in the Kepler building on the election days.
You can also easily order a voting card until 6 May 2025. But please note: If you decide to vote by post, you will not be able to vote for the representatives of your study programme! You can only vote on the federal and university level via mail.
The ÖH is your legal representative body. We show you how to vote here:
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
