UZH student association leaves umbrella organization

A possible re-entry is to be re-evaluated at the end of 2025 if fundamental improvements in the Association of Swiss Student Bodies (VSS) become apparent by then, the University of Zurich Students' Association (VSUZH) announced on Friday. Improvements are needed in terms of cooperation and transparency.

According to a joint press release issued by the two organizations on Wednesday, a media report on the pro-Palestine student protests in May 2024 contributed to the escalation of the conflict. According to the report, the student association of the University of Zurich demanded a partial boycott of Israeli universities, which the national association criticized.

The VSS regrets that there were errors in communication in connection with the discussions surrounding the student protests, according to a press release issued on Wednesday.

For the VSUZH, however, the withdrawal was necessary in order to use its own resources specifically for the concerns of UZH students. The university should remain a place where difficult and controversial topics can also be discussed - without fear of personal attacks or the suppression of opinions, the VSUZH wrote. The association regrets that this step has been taken.

For fear of negative reporting and to avoid being accused of one-sidedness, the topic of the Middle East conflict is being kept to a minimum at universities, according to the VSUZH. Universities have a responsibility to create space for constructive dialog.

In mid-May, student pro-Palestine protests took place at numerous Swiss universities. Among other things, the groups called for an "academic" boycott of all Israeli institutions and a ceasefire in Palestinian territories. The protesters also accused the universities of having a clear political position on the Middle East conflict. In the course of the protests, university buildings were occupied. (SDA/swi)