Students and employees can vote in the rector elections at UiO. The votes of scientific staff and technical-administrative staff are weighted at 75 percent in the rector election. Student votes are weighted at 25 percent.
Why has the university chosen an elected rector?
- Norwegian law secures researchers academic freedom. This means they can conduct and communicate research freely, and that we can trust that no external parties, be they politicians or commercial actors, have influenced the research results.
- The University Board at UiO believes that a rector elected by employees and students will best protect research and education, strengthen the university's autonomy and ensure academic freedom.
- By electing a rector, employees and students gain influence over the administration, which gives the leadership legitimacy and independence from external pressures.
Why is it important to participate in the election?
- The elected rectorate will make important decisions regarding the development of the university in the coming years. The rectorate will influence how the university facilitates research, the development of education, and how it collaborates with industry and the public sector to apply knowledge in solving societal challenges and creating new industries.
- Even though student votes are only weighted at 25 percent, it is important to vote as it can make a difference in the election.
Who makes decisions at UiO?
- In short: The University Board, the rector, and the university director make the decisions. They must collaborate with each other, with other members of the rector team, and with deans at the faculties and directors at the university museums. Additionally, the rector is the university's public face and engages with other stakeholders in Norway and particularly in Europe.
- The rector leads the academic development and heads the University Board, which determines strategy and budget. The university director is employed and oversees finance and administration, property, and IT, and presents matters to the University Board. To seek advice and discuss matters, the university leadership holds meetings with deans, directors, the student parliament, and representatives of the staff. Furthermore, there are various committees and meetings to coordinate and provide input on issues across UiO.
- At the faculties, the deans make the decisions.