TT01 English by Tuntreet

ENGLISH

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Part of Studentsamfunnet i Ås

MATHEMATICAL CHAOS AT NMBU

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No. 1 \ 03.02 2022

TT TABOO: THERAPY

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Tuntreet Volume 77

TWO BEERS: SYNNE

LEADER

Velkommen til 12 022 Wait a minute. Did I just skip 10 000 years? Not if we use the Holocene calendar. The calendar does not begin with the birth of Jesus Christ like our Gregorian calendar does, but with the Neolithic revolution. It was at this point human beings went from a nomadic lifestyle as hunters and gatherers, to cultivating soil and domesticating animals. The calendar was suggested by Cesare Emiliani in the year 11 993, an Italian who established that the ice ages are cyclical and proved the theory on plate tectonics. Emiliani argued that the calendar adjustments would not be that significant as one would only add the digit ‘1’ in front of our original numbering scheme. One of the best aspects of using the calendar is observing humanity’s development and how exceptional it actually is. The Göbekli Tepe located in modern-day Turkey was built around year 0. It was built by hunters and gatherers in honor of ancient gods long gone. This was the first great project where many human beings worked together over a long time period and is a perfect example of how the progress of humanity began with cooperation. Around

year 1 000, Jericho came into being, humanity’s first city. The Bronze Age started in the Middle East around year 7 500 and reached the North before year 8 300. Around the same time, the wheel was invented, and the first written

STAFF

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26.01 16.02 09.03 30.03 27.04

03.02 24.02 17.03 07.04 05.05

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Simen Walbækken Tangen MANAGING EDITOR Sofie Bergset Janols

languages came into being, allowing for the beginnig of the written history we all know. Many of the sources have sadly been destroyed and the written languages forgotten. Simultaneously, the amount of trade networks increased. Around year 8 800, the Bronze Age turned into the Iron Age, and in year 9 400, we got the first coins. Around year 10 000, the gunpowder was invented in China, and the Gregorian calendar started at the same time. The next 2 000 years will see the progress pick up. Gutenberg perfected the art of letterpress printing in year 11 450 and helped to spread knowledge to the masses. Around year 11 688, the age of Enlightenment started and laid the foundation for many modern intentions. Only 238 years went by from the first steam engine to the first nuclear power plants, 66 years between the world’s first propeller and the moon landing, and only 57 years between the first computers with transistors to the mass proliferation of smartphones. The background of the exceptional development we have had until now is sharing of knowledge and collaboration between people. If the cooperation is between nations, people, or the collaboration behind the edition you’re now reading, then this is the core of how we as human beings continue to develop, and hopefully always will. So welcome to 12 022, I hope our collaboration will lead to new advancements!

Simen Walbækken Tangen Ansvarleg redaktør tuntreet@samfunnetiaas.no

JOURNALISTS Elina Turbina Benjamin Alexander Faulkner Ingvild Lauvstad Sunde Sunniva Steiro Anne Tove Græsdal Våge Iris van Brunschot HEAD OF PHOTOGRAPHY Nathalie Genevieve Bjørneby PHOTOGRAPHERS Margreta Brunborg Lina Grünbeck

Åsne Sørlie-Nordnes Borghild S. Oterholdt Synne Louise Stromme Emilie Netskar HEAD OF PROOFREADING Kristin Gilboe PROOFREADERS Hedda Jørgensen Bjørg Øymo Andrine Stengrundet Sunneva Grooss Gunnarsdottir

TUNTREET

CONTENTS 4

Mathematical chaos at NMBU

Where does the heat at campus come from?

High electrical bills

How to (not) survive an all-nighter on campus

New pro-rectors and a vice-rector at NMBU

Culture commentary: Don’t look up!

TT taboo: Therapy

International buddy week

Comic: The Student

Centre spread: Editors spring 2022

Letter to the editor: Light at the end of the tunnel

Two beers with Synne Thorshaug Eide

Study association for Public Health Science

Rotskudd: A glance at Norwegian dating

Erotica: The Annoying Asssistant Teacher

Coffee at Klubben

A train odyssey

Tun and things

Priestly Thoughts

Columns

Letter to the editor: Operating committees

Game Pages

Club Banter

HEAD OF LAYOUT Sara Thu LAYOUT Linnea Laubo Yngve Rasmussen Ive Ekeberg HEAD OF GAMES Tilde Skåtun

HEAD OF TRANSLATIONS Julie Hauge Blindheim TRANSLATORS Aleksander Mæland Munkejord Sofie Palmstrøm Thea Samskott Pauline Marie Søndenå Amalie Pedersen Brønmo Angelique Rein

DISTRIBUTION Vegard Sjaastad Hansen ONLINE DISTRIBUTION Celine Våga ILLUSTRATION Oda Braar Wæge Signe Aanes HEAD POTATO Tord Kristian F. Andersen

Tuntreet, a part of Studentsamfunnet i Ås Tuntreet, postbox 1211 1432 Ås Email: tuntreet@samfunnetiaas.no www.tuntreet.org Printed: 200 Publisher: BK Grafisk, Sandefjord Front page: Nathalie Genevieve Bjørneby Centre spread: Nathalie Genevieve Bjørneby

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MATHEMATICAL CHAOS AT NMBU In the exam period before Christmas, 700 students were notified 24 hours prior the exam in mathematics that it was cancelled and moved to an unspecified date at the end of January. Complaints from students and parent were never ending. At the time of writing, we are facing another round of exams, some with both a block exam and a delayed math exam. Sunniva Steiro Journalist

A lot of back and forth This year, almost 700 students were enrolled in the courses MATH100 and MATH111, which is obligatory for most of us. The subjects are challenging, and there are few who want the exam stress to hang over them longer than necessary. This year’s students were initially supposed to have a digital school exam with a grade, but corona – once again – came in the way for the original plans. Later in the semester, the students were told that a home exam would be held instead, as for most other courses. Not until the day before the MATH100-exam, the students were told that the MATH100-, MATH111-exams and the MATH112 and MATH280 re-

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Synne Lousie Stromme Photographer

Pauline Marie Søndenå Translator

examinations were moved to an unspecified date at the end of January. The reason was that the study administration preferred that the exam could be conducted on campus.

the fact that introduction to mathematics is particularly vulnerable to collaborations between students, and the head of the Student Board (AU), Ina Finnerud, points out that one of the reasons for the postponement has been the focus on the quality of the examination.

A fair execution In an email to the students, Dean Anne Cathrine Gjærde at REALTEK explains that NMBU has great ambitions for the students, and that they thus “must ensure that the exam is as fair as possible.” She further writes that “it is nothing new that the academic community in mathematics prefers school exams over digital”, something many professors and students at other departments will also agree with. The postponement seems to come from

School exams are less risky? In the spring of 2021, the exam in MATH112 was held as a digital home exam, as a measure against corona spread. According to regulations on studies at NMBU, the form of assessment on the re-examination must be the same as the ordinary examination. This will no longer be the case in MATH112 after it was

TUNTREET decided that the re-examination will be held at the school. The changes were made due to temporary regulations to prevent delays in degrees and diplomas due to corona. Tuntreet is critical of the fact that there is less risk of corona when changing from a home exam to school exams. It is also strange that a postponement of the exam is more effective in preventing delays, when the result is that students are disturbed in plans for exchanges, block exams, or risk having to take the re-examination in May due to quarantine. Stress and uncertainty Tuntreet has been in contact with the student council leader at REALTEK, Maja Raz Karterud, who has received inquiries from several students who are affected by what can be called a math chaos. “I have been contacted by countless students who are incredibly stressed and disappointed with the situation, and who have very little motivation for another semester with a lot of uncertainty,” she says. Karterud emphasizes the dissatisfaction of students who do not get a Christmas holiday, who have heavy January block subjects, and who experience that exams collide with start-up lectures. In addition, students with parttime jobs will experience increased stress, or alternatively have to give up shifts in favor of exam reading. Taken seriously The student council leader says that she has been in good dialogue with the management at REALTEK after the last announcement of the exam was given to the students, and she feels that they take the matter seriously. Nevertheless, Karterud believes that the management should have been earlier to include the student council and the students in the process, so that the whole situation could have been averted. She says that the student council would never allow the change without getting the opinions of the students in advance, and that with a functioning student democracy, the management should have reached out as soon as they started the process. The rector apologizes In a response to a student’s complaint about the postponemenxt, the study advisors at REALTEK claim that: “The decision was made by the study administration centrally based on discussions between many different bodies [...]” When asked

by Tuntreet why the student democracy was not contacted, Rector Curt Rice answers: “I did not like having to intervene in exam work and I understand very well that this was frustrating for both students and staff.” He also apologizes on behalf of the management of the students who experienced that the exam was changed from physical to digital, only to be postponed, which he says everyone can understand was even more frustrating. Rector Curt Rice, Dean at REALTEK Anne-Cathrine Gjærde and AU leader Ina Finnerud all tell Tuntreet that the focus now is to prevent something like this from happening again. Common guidelines Finnerud is currently working with all the deans at NMBU to establish common guidelines for predictability and equality across all faculties at the university. NTNU has already decided that all exams in the spring semester will be digital, with the possibility of applying for exceptions, but NMBU would rather encourage professors to have a plan B in place from the beginning of the semester. Ina Finnerud emphasizes that a large proportion of the professors were already well prepared with a plan B in December, and the Student Information Centre (SiT) states that 147 of 187 exams were completed as a digital home exam in December. Only 6 exams were postponed until January, of which four were in mathematics. Does not wish to comment Tuntreet has not succeeded in getting comments from professors at the Department of Mathematics but interprets “academically sound execution” in the sense that introductory subjects in mathematics are ultimately pure calculation tests, which cannot easily be converted into home exams. The AU leader’s proposals for alternative forms of assessment are alternative assessment or alternative digital examination.

Maja Raz Karterud

Anne Cathrine Gjærde Photo: Håkon Sparre NMBU

Ina Maria Finnerud Photo: Håkon Sparre NMBU

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Where Does the Heat at Campus Come From?

Simen Walbækken Tangen Journalist Tord Kristian F. Andersen Photographer Sofie Palmstrøm Translator

Like an obelisk planted in the ground, a steaming pipe marks a facility responsible for no cold students at campus. How exactly is this heat generated? Tuntreet has paid a visit to the remote heating facility by the Veterinary building and Nordskogen.

New Ways to Heat NMBU Tuntreet was warmly welcomed by Per Weidenhajin and Ole Jonny Ellingsen inside the facility. They are responsible for selling the heat power and the operation of the facility respectively. They explain that the remote heating facility heats up water and can be seen as a giant water boiler. The water exits though a network of pipes, for the heat to be transferred to the connected buildings. In 2012, Statkraft bought the university’s old network of pipes, at the time called UMB, and built the new remote heating facility in 2013. There has previously been both a coal power plant at the clock-building, an oil furnace, and then a pellet furnace at Meieribygget. The new remote heating facility is a more sustainable solution compared to the previous ones. 6

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Burning Chipwood The main reason that the remote heating facility can be called sustainable is that it is supplied by leftover material from the timber industry. Among others, bark, trees damaged by rot and offcuts from sawmills are grinded into chipwood and sent to be burned in the remote heating facility. About 24 trucks, holding about 30 tonnes each, come here every week during the winter months. The chipwood is mainly derived from the eastern part of the country. It smells of forest and moist bark when a truck unloads its heavy chipwood cargo. One of the employees at the facility explains how the truck pushes the chipwood out using a grates moving back and forth. He says it looks like an elephant pooping. The chipwood is sorted by type and moisture, and is distributed to the furnace using a crane. Ole Jonny explains that the mix of dry and moist chipwood must be about right to get the best burn. The chipwood burns badly is it is too moist, but it burns too fast if it is too dry. From the chipwood storage the chipwood is fed with screws and chain conveyors into the oven where it is burnt.

The Window to Hell This is how you experience it if you look straight into the furnace. Ole Jonny opens a small window in order for us to take a look. The flames are everywhere and the heat is radiating from the oven, which has a temperature of over 1000°C. Ole Jonny explains that the temperature decides how fast the chipwood is fed into the furnace. Then the chipwood is led onto grates, which slowly but surely leads it towards the bottom, where the chipwood eventually turns into ash. “When the chipwood enters it is a bit moist, but it quickly dries up from the heat of the furnace”, Ole Jonny says. He further explains that the ash is taken out and led to a container that is later transported away. Out of all the chipwood that is burnt, about 2-3% ash remains.

The containers are transported to Statkraft’s facility in Moss, which takes care of the ash. Usually, ash can be of use, for example as fertilizer, but by burning forest from the eastern part of Norway, the remaining ash often contains heavy metals. This might come from industrial waste or larger amounts of car traffic near the forest.

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TUNTREET Heat Conduction and Smoke Condensation Inside the heating facility there are tons of pipes, and it isn’t easy to understand the connection between it all. Ole Jonny explains that the smoke leaving the furnaces goes through a heat exchanger that heats up the water in the pipes to over 100°C. The reason that the water can still be in a liquid state and doesn’t evaporate is that the water has a pressure of 7,5 bar as it is pumped out. The smoke then goes through a smoke filter that works almost like a vacuum filter, where all the fine ash is taken out. The last thing the smoke does before exiting the facility is passing a smoke condensation system in order for the temperature of the smoke to be about 40-50°C. At the facility they run precise measurements, so they rarely let out anything other than water vapour. A Rural Urban Facility Up in the control room Ole Jonny explains how the heat is distributed further to NMBU, SiÅs and several other buildings in Ås municipality. The pipes are laid in pairs so one pipe transports and conducts heat to the consumer, while the other pipe transports the water back to the facility. On each connected building there is a heat exchanger, where the main pipe lays right next to the pipe system in the building and heats up the water in the local pipe system. Ole Jonny explains that the heat loss in the big loop around all of Ås is not very large. On a cold winter day, the temperature going out is about 105°C and coming back from the consumers it is usually about 45°C.

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From left: Ole Jonny Ellingsen, journalist Simen and Per Weidenhaijn

Remote heating facilities are usually located in more urban areas. In larger cities there is a larger need, and one might also connect several heating facilities or use excess heat from factories. A lot of the reason why the facility could be established in Ås was because NMBU is a big client, and later several other municipal buildings were also connected. Among others, the remote heat is conducted to the Livestock Production Research Centre. Per explains proudly that it is rare that chickens and other animals lay on concrete heated from a remote heating facility.

automated with thermostats that regulate the heat exchangers”, Ole Jonny explains.

Built to Last After Statkraft bought NMBU’s old remote heating facility, they have added quite a bit to it. Now the heating pipes go all the way across to the other side of the railroad. Several of the new building projects in Ås are also to be connected to the remote heat, the pipes are dimensioned to transport a lot more than they do today. “The biggest cost of remote heating is to connect, the rest is

Lots of Backups The facility has a lot of backup systems that can maintain the operations in case of an emergency. If the chipwood furnace were to be broken, there is also an oil furnace that is a little less environmentally friendly. The same goes for the electricity. A couple of years back Ole Jonny experienced a power outage after some faulty digging.

In the middle of the pipes there is a steel pipe where the water in pumped though. Around the pipes there is insulation of about 40 cm in diameter. Outside the insulation there is a plastic cover to avoid moisture damage on the insulation. In addition, there are control wires that can monitor the moisture in the insulation and easily locate potential leaks. After the pipes are put in the ground, they can last up to 100 years.

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Map of the heat distribution network on campus They then fired up a diesel generator which kept the process running. This makes sure that everyone who is connected to the remote heating gets their heating, despite serious power outages. Distribution Between NMBU, SiÅs and Ås Municipality In total, the remote heating facility produces 40 GWh of energy each year. This corresponds to an average power use of 1000 single houses of 300 m2. NMBU is the facility’s largest customer and uses around 27 GWh. Following NMBU is Ås Municipality which uses 2,8 GWh and SiÅs with a consumption of 2,5 GWh. The remaining 7,7 GWh is distributed to Nofima, NIBIO, Ås high school and some apartments in the city centre, among others.

The Veterinary Building, which is the closest neighbour to the heating facility (not counting the discontinued fur farm), is one of the newest buildings that have been connected. Out of the total energy from the heating facility, the Veterinary Building uses 30%, about the power need of 1800 apartments of 80 m2. This is a pretty big piece of the cake, but Ole Jonny expects the consumption to go down a little as the use is more adapted. SiÅs use the remote heat to warm up buildings and hot water in Skogveien, Utveien, Skoggården and Eika. Several of the laundry rooms also gets hot water from remote heat.

It appears that there are incredibly many people in Ås who share the heat. Imagine if we had done as in the olden days, where every building was heated by its own wood burner. The air would be filled with smoke and many backs would be aching from carrying wood. Maybe the semester fee would be paid by carrying a load of wood to the school every now and then. The heating of houses has had a tremendous development from smoky hearths in the middle of the long houses during the Viking age, via ovens and cast-irons stoves, to today. One thing they all have in common. They all burn with

Distribution of thermal energy from the remote heating plant:

7,7

O th

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Ås Mu

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NMBU 27 GWh

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HIGH ELECTRICAL BILLS Students will get power grants soon enough Sunniva Steiro Journalist

The price of electrical power has multiplied in December 2021 compared to the previous year, and the government has made a proposal to the Parliament about additional “power grants” for students. 10 Times Higher Electrical Bills At los.no, you can check the electrical prices for the past 7 years, and in December 2021 in Oslo, the price was 2.21kr/kWh, compared to 0.27kr/kWh in December 2020. This is almost 10 times higher. The prices in Northern and Western Norway have also increased, but here, the prices are about

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Yngve Rasmussen Illustrator

0.76kr and 0.61kr per kWh, respectively, which is significantly lower than the rest of the country. Imported Power The reasons for the high prices are many, but from the government’s website it seems that Norway’s connection to Europe is one of the main reasons. This year the causes of the high prices is that the water levels in the hydropower plants are low, high fees on both coal and gas, and low levels of wind on the continent, in addition to the carbon emission quotas. Norway profits on electrical power export to the continent when the prices there are high. This means that the Norwegian consumers buy imported power,

Alexander Mæland Munkejord Translator

which is more expensive than locally produced power. However, when the prices on the continent are lower than in Norway, Norway will slow down the domestic power production. Consumers get cheap European power in their homes, and the water levels in Norwegian power plants are conserved for future production. Power Grants for Students Obviously, high electrical bills affect the low-income households the most, and many students live, by definition, below the poverty threshold. Corona has affected many part-time workers, and the government have provided support for that. But students still have not been compensated for the high electrical bills.

TUNTREET According to NRK, Rødt, SV, MDG, Venstre and FrP came with a proposal in November, for an additional power grant for students, but this was declined by the Parliament, among others by the governmental parties and Høyre. Later, several proposals of support for students have been made, and minister of education Ola Borten Moe (Sp) promised in December that all students who could document higher electrical bills would be able to apply for an extra loan from Lånekassen (The Educational Loan Fund) in January. After negotiations with SV in January, the government will allow students to apply for a grant of 3000kr. The decision has not been made at the time of writing, but Lånekassen will inform any affected students when the application is open. It Affects the Student Economy In Ås, many students live in SiÅs’ student housings, where power is included in the rent, and they are not directly affected by the fluctuations on the market. However, this is not the case for everyone.

Many students who live in private houses are likely to live in older, poorly insulated houses, where electrical power is the main heat source. Tuntreet have been in touch with student Anneli Rystad Aune, who rents a private housing, in a building partly heated by power, partly by firewood. Her electrical bills usually lie on an average of about 300kr per month, but in December she paid about 860kr. She lives on grants and loans from Lånekassen, in addition to what she earned by working during summer. Poor Welfare Politics Anneli says that she considers it alright, from an environmental perspective, that the electrical bills are high, if it makes people consume less. However, she does point out the problem of how unfairly it affects people within the community. She thinks that we need better welfare politics in Norway that support people with lower income. To Tuntreet, Anneli concludes with: “I am skeptical towards exporting power abroad if it causes an unstable market in Norway, and that we import coal power from Europe”.

Anneli Rystad Aune Photo: Privat

Sources: • NRK (2022). Savner strømstipend: – Nå har landets studenter ventet lenge nok i kulda. Hentet 21/1-22 fra https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/studentenesavner-stromstipend_-_-na-har-landets-studenter-ventet-talmodig-i-kulda-1.15804925 • LOS (2022). Dagens strømpris. Hentet 14/1-22 fra https://www.los.no/dagens-strompris/historiske-strompriser/ • Regjeringen (2022). Syv spørsmål og svar om strømprisen. Hentet 14/1-22 fra https://www.regjeringen.no/no/tema/energi/stromnettet/syv-sporsmal-og-svar-omstromprisen/id2873517/

WINTER I search through this beautiful winter wonderland for my own helpful faun Amongst the trees borne from squirrels forgotten treasures it changes rapidly from white to black while the cold bites and I wonder if I prefer such a beauty of a beast with these sharp teeth What if we get in your car? What if we drive until the march of spring is the only thing which can catch up with us? Is happiness worth the same in the absence of warmth? What is a book read on the beach, if the water is ice? If a fiddle sounds better in a cave A guitar comes to life in your hands My idiosyncratic sympathetic idiot - Thomas

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While it may feel like our exams before Christmas happened just a week ago, studying is already back on our to-do lists. The January block has been weighing heavily on us this past month, and it is not unnatural to decide to have a late-night study session at Sør. We decided to try pulling an all-nighter on campus and compiled some ideas for your perfect late-night descent into madness. Iris van Brunschot Journalist and photographer

Elina Turbina Journalist and photopgrapher

Sofie Bergset Janols Contributor

Mari Vold Hansen Contributor

Lina Grünbeck Contributor

21:00 Rise and grind! with us laying out our study notes n bega t The nigh long study across the desks, ready to begin our research session. Seriously discussing deductive were we bi, approaches, critical theories and sylla by ed join excited to be productive. We were even ! Julie on, another night owl; our head of translati

The initial spark of productivity disappeared quickly though . Were we actually so distracting that Juli e had to put on headphones? Oops…

22:30

22:08

Nap time!? Some of us are more focused than others. Sofie was determined to finish one of her TT articles quickly, and the other girls helped… as much as they could. Micro-naps are, after all, a great energy boost!

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Couples’ yoga After the nap, Iris and Mari decided to do some yoga for couples, mostly to stop bothering everyone who was still trying to work. This was, of course, a way to become more mindful and concentrated for increased productivity.

TUNTREET TUNTREET 00:00 23:37

00:10

Oh no, the plants are dying! age Ås student What’s more important to an aver noticed the We ts? plan r than taking care of thei ued, and fatig bit a ing plants at Sør were look of love. lots them give immediately rushed to k from brea a in nad dug Consider doing some ies. stud t your nigh

00:17

Oh Holy Redbull I will bless the REDBULL at all times; Their praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the REDBULL; The humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the REDBULL with me, And let us exalt Their name together.

01:20

The Creation of Adam Sofie hands over the Twisted Battery to the mysterious midnight student, and suddenly, it becomes a twisted midnight version of the Creation of Adam. We are starting to believe in the Holy Spirit of energy drinks. Have we convinced the student too? He definitely seems to be in touch with heavenly forces. After the exchange, we gave him a small photoshoot and left him alone to magically absorb all of his readings. We thank him and hope that he nailed his exam!

Midnight visitor In the midst of our religious prayer to REDBULL, we got a midnight visitor. A mysterious midnight student enters our somewhat delicate state of being at 00:10, ready to study for the next day’s lecture. But his plans are soon sabotaged.

00:40 Potato sack race… without potatoes Not yet ready to sleep, we pondered over what to do next. Then it hit our overtired brains: POTATO SACK RACE! Without potatoes, though. Who won? Let’s just say some had higher levels of caffeine in their bodies than others.

The realization Tired out by our cardio exercise, Sofie crawled under the desk, trying to hide from the world. Then she spoke to us: “I jus t can’t believe this is what I’ve bee n doing instead of studying for tom orrow’s class”. It turned out that she shared the January block course wit h the mysterious midnight studen t. Was it really time to get back to stu dying?

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02:14 Snugudu gu huga bauh bau h mhm… Yes it was, we are studying aga in! This time it is an essential part of Norwegian culture. Because obviously it is vital to know how Pocahontas greets Englishmen in the dubbed version of Colors of the Wind. Or wh at do you say? Snogaho duga hau bu blau…

03:03 Chaotic vibes The ultimate turning point of the all-nighter: no point in still hoping to do something productive. Chaos was all around this late in the night. (Imaginary?) conversations with sleeping bags. Getting scared by the terrifying trees outside hitting the windows.

03:42 04:00 No comment.

TT0TEETH Brishung tehte. Trushing bee th. Eshuni Htre? We are trying to BR USH OUR TEETH. Desperation. Stages of grief. Despair. Confusion. Can we slee p now?

04:20

Giving up We tried. And we failed. Pulling an all-nighter on campus is not easy. But at least we found a comfortable sleeping spot... 14

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At night, campus lives a life of its own. Walking around the study rooms, we saw people come and go, some putting up posters about student societies, others working on their programming in R and yet others recreating famous paintings. We tried to live the campus night-life, and here is what we learned: If you are to do an allnighter, make sure you have REDBULL, actually motivated company, and a sleeping bag (in case you want to do a potato sack run). Good luck!

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SHOULD YOU APPLY TO BE A JOURNALIST IN TUNTREET? TAKE THIS QUIZ AND FIND OUT: 1. Do you enjoy writing?

3. Do you enjoy telling stories?

2. Would you like to develop your writing skills?

7. Do you enjoy talking to people and/or discovering Ås’ student life?

4. Are you looking for a place to be creative?

5. Would you like to put issues on the agenda?

6. Are you curious? Would you like to get more curious? 10. Do you want to see your name, a small picture of yourself and your own written words published?

8. Would you like to become a committee member at Samfunnet?

9. … and get to know people outside of your studies?

11. Have you always dreamt of joining an editorial staff meeting?

12. Can you come up with other exciting aspects of being a journalist in Tuntreet which this quiz does not highlight?

13. Do you want to be a journalist at Tuntreet?

You answered “yes” on 9-13 of the questions: Wow! Sound like you have a journalist in you. If you’re not already one, you should definitely apply for the position today. Seize the opportunity to fulfil your destiny and send us an application at tuntreet@samfunnetiaas. no or get more information through http:// www.samfunnetiaas.no/stillingsutlysninger.

You answered “yes” on 5-8 of the questions: Hmm! Sounds like you’d at least want to have a go at it. If you want to know more about what being part of Tuntreet is like, contact us here at tuntreet@ samfunnetiaas.no!

You answered “yes” on 1-4 of the questions: Maybe this job is not for you. But there are plenty of other cool stuff to do at Samfunnet! Have a loot at them here: http://www.samfunnetiaas.no/ stillingsutlysninger. Edition 01 Volume 77

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NEW PRO-RECTORS AND A VICE RECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY AT NMBU: “We must support the students’ enthusiasm” FINN-ARNE WELTZIEN

Pro-rector for research and innovation

ELISE NORBERG Pro-rector for education

Photo: Håkon Sparre NMBU

Photo: Private

Photo: Håkon Sparre NMBU

Professor - physiology at the Veterinary Institute (since 2009), Institute leader and FU-leader at the Veterinary Institute (2019-2022). Researcher on puberty in fish.

Professor - Science didactics (since 2004). Researcher with focus on on sustainability in education.

Senior Researcher - livestock breeding and genetics at Aarhus University (2008-2017), Institute leader and prodean at BIOVIT (2017-2021).

Best Christmas present: A sign from her daughter with the writing “Boss”

Best Christmas present: Giftcard for education and books for refugee children

Best Christmas present: Mystery box from son, 2,5 years old.

Ingvild Lauvstad Journalist

ASTRID SINNES Vice-rector for sustainability

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Borghild S. Oterholt Photographer

Alexander Mæland Munkejord Translator

TUNTREET This winter, the administration at NMBU announced that the university has hired two new pro-rectors. Finn-Arne Weltzien is the new pro-rector for science and innovation, together with Elise Norberg, the new pro-rector for education. The administration is also joined by Astrid Sinnes, the vice-rector for sustainability – a brand new position at NMBU. Tuntreet had a talk with all of them. Motivated for the Work Ahead. Finn-Arne Weltzien is motivated for the work on which he is getting started: “I have always had a passion for science”, he says. “Back in 8th grade of lower secondary school, when I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answer was always scientist, even though I had no idea what a scientist did”. Both Astrid Sinnes and Elise Norberg mention that they look forward to applying their knowledge and experience, and to get to work on an administrative level for the entire university. “I have worked a lot with education in my former position as vice-dean for education at BIOVIT, and I think we have accomplished great things. When I was faced with the opportunity of working with education for all of NMBU, it felt like just the right thing for me!” Norberg says, evidently eager. But What Exactly is a Pro-Rector? Weltzien avoids getting too technical, when explaining what a pro-rector is: “The rector has lots of representational tasks, both internally and externally, and is not able to simultaneously administrate all the details of each area of responsibility – that is why we have the prorectors. The Rectorate consists of the rector, the pro-rector for science & innovation, the pro-rector for education, the vice-rector and the head of administration. There are separate administrations for each pro-rector, and Weltzien leads the department for science, innovation and external collaboration, abbreviated ‘FIE’. “I am responsible for a number of sub-units, such as the university library and ‘ARD’ – NMBU’s innovation company”, he explains. “Overall, I work with facilitating the best possible working conditions for our scientists and innovators, and with research-political work for NMBU externally”, he summarizes. «A pro-rector will also represent the institution externally regarding their respective areas of responsibility, together with the rector, who represents all of NMBU”, Norberg adds. “As pro-rector for education, I will be working on

ensuring the quality of the education, good working environments for the students, and collaboration between the faculties. I am also the leader of the committee of academical affairs”, she explains. Weltzien finds a pro-rector important: “because it increases our capacity for ensuring professional administration of the different aspects of the university’s operation”. “There are lots of students, employees, study programs and subjects that make up NMBU, and it is vital that we have a person that is dedicated to monitoring the quality of the education”, Norberg adds. The Vice-Rector of Sustainability – A Brand New Position at NMBU Sinnes explains that the pro-rector is an established position, but there has never been a vice-rector at NMBU until now. “The position is an opportunity that the rector has, to create a position for something he, or she, wants to give more attention”, she explains. Sinnes points out that she is not alone responsible for the sustainability at the university: “In the end, the rector has the overall responsibility, but I will be pushing forwards in the work on integrating sustainability in all areas of the university”, she notes. «The institutions have to be up to date, as they are responsible for educating the candidates that will work on sustainability in the future, and provide them with sufficient action competence”, Sinnes thinks. “It is important to map out the relevant content of sustainability at NMBU. There are several different views on sustainability at the university, and we have to be conscious about just that”. “Everyone at NMBU should be able to recognize their part in the mission of sustainability”, Norberg adds. She thinks that NMBU has a unique, academical profile, perfect for handling the challenge. Sinnes agrees, and highlights the high academical level, and the practical and theoretical competence, as strengths of the university. “The university has an overall strategy for the whole operation, that already sets a lot of attention to sustainability and interdisciplinarity. The strategy will be renewed this year, and sustainability can be emphasized even more, though it is already well rooted in the strategy”. Sinnes also tells us that NMBU has its own environmental council and an environmental plan of action, running until 2026.

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TUNTREET “We work on an executive, strategical level, so our work may seem a bit invisible”, Sinnes says. “I think the pro-rector for education will be the most visible for students”, Weltzien says. “Still, there is a lot of student involvement regarding innovation too, and that enthusiasm is something we should support as far as possible. If we can facilitate for good student innovation environments all around campus, that would be great in and of itself, but I think that the students can also play an important part by leading the way and inspiring the scientists to get more involved with innovation.” Both Norberg and Sinnes find student involvement important for all parts of the university’s work. “It is important that the students provide feedback and contribute to the quality work, something that many students do well, among other things by being part of councils and committees”, Norberg notes. “I think the commitment comes from the student mass’ heterogeneity and diversity – everyone can find their own ‘thing’”. A Shared NMBU Culture as the Base for Good Discussions “I want to make NMBU an arena for good, academically founded discussions that can handle controversies”, Sinnes explains, and speaks warmly of NMBU’s potential for becoming an important arena where sustainability can be discussed and

developed. She looks forward to contributing into this process, for example by working on the new strategy for the university. Weltzien points out that it is always easy to carry many ambitions: “What is most important for me right now, is to contribute to forming a strong NMBU culture”. Weltzien has taken part in the merging of the School of Veterinary Science and NMBU, and the relocation to Ås. “Not just regarding the integration of the School of Veterinary Science, but also about strengthening the unity and cooperation of the “old” campus, as well as all of NMBU.” He considers this the condition for more interdisciplinarity and higher quality. Norberg adds to this: “I want to strengthen the collaboration between the faculties. NMBU are already great at facilitating that, but we can do even better”, she thinks, and says that she looks forward to getting an overview of the whole university’s operation and ensuring a good connection between research and education. “We have already gotten a great team spirit, and we were given a warm welcome by rector Curt Rice, and the head of administration, Lars Atle Holm”, Norberg concludes.

From the left: Astrid Sinnes, Elise Norberg, Finn-Arne Weltzien, Curt Rice, Lars Atle Holm

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CULTURE COMMENTARY

Iris van Brunschot Journalist

Oda Braar Wæge Illustrator

Don’t Look Up has gotten a lot of attention, and I must admit I was skeptical. But what looked like a hyper-American Hollywood-Blockbuster turned out to be a spot-on, though somewhat exaggerated, parody of politics, entertainment, and last but not least, the climate debate. In my opinion, the movie peaks when Leonardo DiCaprio, in a panic, states that they should have deflected the comet while they had the chance. “What have we done to ourselves? How do we fix it?” he asks himself. This hit me like a brick because I ask myself the same question. The comet is an obvious metaphor for the climate crisis, so why won’t we act? The answer is humor. Even though the jokes in the movie are at times taken too far, the absurd situations encourage thorough reflection regarding humans’ ironic tendency to self-sabotage.

Thea Samskott Translator

Humanity’s flaws are well portrayed by DiCaprio though his interpretation of astronomy professor, Dr. Randall Mindy. He strays from his beliefs in science because of selfishness, indecisiveness and political pressure. The politicians are blinded by their pursuit of profit. They disregard the concrete threat against the planet, ironically leading to their own extinction. The movie is grotesque, funny, absurd, frustrating and ridiculous all at the same time. It’s scary to think about how close the satire is to the truth. It is right on the nose in its depiction of passive attitudes towards the climate crisis. Without spoiling the end, everyone knows what will happen if we don’t act now. The movie encourages people to do exactly what the title warns you of, to look up, preferably further than your own nose. We must avoid burying our heads in the sand. ‘Cause if we won’t, no one will. If not now, it’ll be too late. Edition 01 Volume 77

TT TABOO

TT Taboo: Therapy Talking about mental health and mental health issues has become increasingly normalized over the past years. We mark the World Mental Health Day on October 10th, and at NMBU, that whole week is dedicated to mental health. We see panels on mental health with celebrities and therapists, as well as TV-shows and newspaper articles about the topic. Especially in the age of COVID, students’ and the general population’s mental health has been a hot topic. But are we actually ready to talk about the means to get better? Are we ready to talk about going to therapy, or is that aspect of mental health still taboo? Sofie Bergset Janols Journalist

Oda Braar Wæge Illustrator

Elina Turbina Journalist

To find out, we released a survey on Facebook. Out of the 124 respondents, 98% of whom are NMBU students, 65 people have been to therapy, and 59 people have never done so. In this article, “therapy”, or psychotherapy, refers to shortterm mental health counseling, meetings with a psychologist, or long-term therapy. About going to therapy Out of those who have gone to therapy, 27% are doing so currently. When asked to rate the usefulness of therapy, the people that have gone to therapy at some point in their life found it generally helpful. Having someone to talk to, someone nonjudgmental outside of their circle that would take them seriously, was one of the most mentioned reasons for why people liked their therapy experiences. Respondents have mentioned that they found therapy helpful for sorting thoughts, and recognizing feelings and thought patterns, which led to them understanding themselves better and being equipped with techniques to manage 20 Edition 01 Volume 77

their day-to-day life. Feeling supported and validated is something people really appreciate, yet there were also some replies indicating that therapists are not always capable of handling their patients in this manner..

“ “

“It was a space to work on issues that I would usually push away and helped me work through negative thoughts”

«It’s very freeing to talk to someone who can help and listen, and who in no way is there to judge you. It’s also nice to get answers and support from someone who is completely outside of your life. You do most of the work yourself, and it is challenging, but it is much easier with a psychologist or another therapist.”

How do you rate the usefulness of your experience with therapy or mental counseling? Answers: 63

TT TABOO Have you ever gone to therapy? Answers: 124

24 answers

20 answers

YES 65 answers

NO 59 Answers

10 answers 7 answers

2 answers

Among people that have not gone to therapy, 81%, or 49 people have considered going to therapy, while 11 people have not. The most common reasons for why they never chose to attend therapy are the lack of nee d for the service, it being too expensive, or the lack of knowledge on how and where to get an appointment. A handful of students feel uncomfortable with the idea, and some don’t see it fitting in their time schedule. One person mentioned their parents being against them getting therapy, which raises a concern about the generational views and stigmatization on the subject. This is something we will come back to later in the article.

““ “ “

Have you thought about going to therapy? Answers: 59 NO 11 answers

YES 48 Answers

“Don’t want to bother other people with small things.” «I have thought about it, but never really considered it. I think it could be beneficial, but I am not struggling with anything specific, so I feel like it could be a bit of a hassle and that I maybe would take the spot from

“A therapist would never understand the things I’ve seen, and I think it is unnecessary to talk to someone who doesn’t know the feelings associated with the incident.”

Have you had (initiated or experienced) conversations about going to therapy with someone close to you? Answers: 140

NO 36 answers

YES 104 answers

“Stress and lack of ability to prioritize my own mental health.” Edition 01 Volume 77

TT TABOO So, now that we know the attitude the respondents have towards therapy, we can to look into the aspect of discussing it publicly. Is it really a taboo topic? Out of all the survey respondents, 84% have talked about going to therapy and 80% of those who have been to therapy themselves have recommended someone else to go to therapy. Conversations about therapy Most people have generally positive feelings associated with having conversations about therapy. Many find it easy to talk about, as it is helpful for them in order to become more comfortable around other people, connect, and thus normalize their feelings. They feel like it is an important step they take to “lower the threshold” when it comes to sharing one’s worries and experiences. While it seems like it has gotten more socially acceptable to talk about therapy, the word “taboo” shows up close to 20 times in the survey and the word “shame” 14 times. Despite the positive associations with having conversations about therapy, many of these respondents experience persistent discomfort with the subject, either because of it still being somewhat touchy for them, or because of not feeling knowledgeable enough. Some people worry about stigmatization or being labeled as ‘incomplete’. This relates to the previously mentioned comment about generational differences, as some have expressed that talking to older people is the hardest part, as those usually have less understanding and compassion for the subjects related to mental health.

““ “ “ “ “

“Good and freeing, but also hard and painful.” “I think many people underestimate therapy, because it’s scary to approach help in that way. It’s a shame, because it can really help you sort thoughts that are bothering you and it gave me a much better everyday life.”

“It’s super important but often feels hard to bring up in conversation. You never know how someone will react. It should be more normalized to talk about it.” “I think it is natural that you need help in a period of your life. If your teeth are hurting, you see a professional (the dentist). If your body is hurting, you see a professional (for instance a doctor). Why shouldn’t you do the same when you are hurting inside?” “I don’t have a positive impression of therapy as it was not something for me. It just reminds me of a part of my life I’d rather forget.” “I think it is good to talk openly about it. I found many people struggle with similar issues so it is good to be more open about it and share experiences.”

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“ “ “ “ “ ““

“(...) depending on the country, therapy is not cheap nor immediately available, unless you’re a danger to yourself or others. and even then it’s not guaranteed. (...)” “Thinking you don’t have it as bad as others, not taking up space, trouble others. The stigma around it. If you are to go to therapy you have to admit to yourself that you need help, and that could feel like a defeat.” “It’s scary to open up. You rarely go to therapy because your life is easy and without issues. The things you need to talk about the most can be hard to talk about, especially with people you don’t know. Passing through the eye of the needle can be a challenge if you wanted to speak to a phycologist through for instance the health station.”

“Could be one of the reasons I experienced: that they didn’t understand how I was feeling and how I thought it should be handled. And are afraid of being portrayed as a burden/weak to others.” “Doesn’t feel serious enough. You know you’re feeling down over small things, and feel some shame because of it. I know you should just get over it, go out, be brave, just do it! It isn’t harder than that, just have to motivate yourself (from the bed, on the phone the fifth hour in a row)” “Take it like a man” “Because that would be the same as admitting that there is something wrong with you. And mental health is after all taboo, something we just started demanding openness about in society.”

TT TABOO

Avoiding getting mental help When it comes to avoiding therapy, those who have not gotten it say that they do not find it to be the useful approach to their situation, or that a therapist most likely won’t be able to understand their issues or points of view. Another reason is having no capacity or financial means to go the extra bureaucratic steps to arrange an appointment, as this can take a lot of time, energy, and stress. It often involves long waiting lists and struggles with being matched with the right therapist as well. “Dørstokkmila” - taking that first step can be a big hurdle in itself. Being able to open up takes a lot of strength and courage, as the societal need to seem strong and healthy is there regardless. It is scary and painful to admit that one has a problem, or to remind oneself of something traumatic. Prioritizing oneself and one’s mental health seems to be a thing many people have a hard time with. People feel like they should be able to deal with it by themselves, without bothering others. Some say that they do not think they have significant issues or issues worthy of taking up space at therapy.

Why we should talk about therapy While conversations about mental health and how to approach it are increasingly normalized, we still have quite a way to go. There is a general sense that the young people are more or less knowledgeable in the topic and care about the way society looks at mental health-related conversations. However, when it comes to valuing one’s own mental health, many choose to underestimate it and simply “suck it up” to escape the stigma from parents and friends. But having space and people to share your feelings with, are not something you have to “deserve”. You are already worthy of asking for help and getting it. And it is, of course, up to you how open you are about your journey. But do not deny yourself a chance to feel good again. You deserve better. WHO CAN I CONTACT TO GET MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT? •

• •

•

Health Station for students: 64962240, hfu@as.kommune.no, drop-in: Monday 08.30-11.00, Wednesday 14.3019.00 SiÅs Student Life center: 90264918, marit.raaf@sias.no, drop-in 08.0015.30 Student priests: Ingrid - 99015790, io484@kirken.no, Sigurd - 99015790, sigurd.a.bakke@nmbu.no, drop-in 09.00-14.00 Mental Health phone for students: 116123 every day 17.00–07.00. Edition 01 Volume 77 23

TUNTREET

TIME FOR THE WINTER´S BUDDY WEEK(S)!

Sofie Bergset Janols Journalist

Åsne Sørlie-Nordnes Photographer

While most new students arrived back in August some are stepping into “Åsbobla” for the first time in January and February. And just like in August, there will be a buddy week to welcome the newcomers. This one however, is slightly longer, noticeably colder, and (as far as I know) without a baptism in Andedammen. Tuntreet sat down with two of the facilitators to hear more about what´s to come.

When I meet with buddy general Ada Marie Orthe Karlsen and ESN (Erasmus Student Network) leader Emma van Nieuwkuijk at Hjerterommet, the buddy week is just about to begin. This winter´s buddy week (or shall I say month?) started with a tour of NMBU and Ås on the 25th of January and will be ending with a potlock on the 24th of February. In between these dates, there are two to three events happening each week. 24 Edition 01 Volume 77

Longer and more lowkey The winter buddy week is a bit different from the August one. It is longer and events are more spread out, as not all new students are there to attend from the beginning. That is also why the deadline for joining the buddy program is set to late in February, the girls explain. This way, even those arriving mid-February will have the chance to be part of a smaller buddy-group. For the buddy week events, however, there is no need to sign up before joining. Simply show up to the activities of your liking, whether it´s ice skating, tours around Ås, or the trip to Oslo the 19th of February. Unlike what one may think (at least I did), the winter buddy week(s) is open for all new students. While a majority of the participants might be exchange students and internationals, Ada and Emma encourage incoming Norwegians to participate too: “it´s great if Norwegians sign up!”. The buddy week facilitators also encourage Norwegians who are not new to Ås to sign up as buddies. Ada further explains that this buddy week is more lowkey than the one in August: it´s less official, and doesn´t involve a contract. You simply hang out with your buddy group and teach them your ways of navigating Ås.

Tips for the newcomers When I ask if Ada and Emma have any tips to the new Ås students, Emma is fast to respond: “Join our events!”. To stay updated on the events, she recommends following ESN Ås and Fadderuka NMBU on Facebook. For international students especially, she also recommends checking out ISU, SAIH, student associations and the group “Social hub for internationals at NMBU” on Facebook. “In Norway Facebook is a really big thing”, she states. It´s also an idea to check out where you can get free memberships. Samfunnet, for instance, offers free memberships for exchange students and other international students. Ada and Emma also stress the importance of warm clothes now in the cold winter months. “Don´t be afraid of looking stupid in big clothes” Ada adds and laughs. Ironically, Ada had forgotten to put on mittens this day (ref photo), which she regretted when stepping out of the warm Clock building. And speaking of cold: when it comes to getting to know the Norwegians? Joining sports comes highly recommended. But most importantly, Ada encourages both internationals and Norwegians to step out of their comfort zone.

Comic: The Student

Signe Aanes Creator

Julie Hauge Blindheim Translator

Editors spring 2022

Agrarmetropol(ar) explorers

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

How do we reach the light at the end of the tunnel?

Angelique Rein Translator

2022 has not exactly been a walk in the park so far, with a digital January block, closed canteens on campus, and strong spread of the omicron variant of COVID also here in the student villages. Life in Ås continues to be different and strongly affected by the pandemic. Also at a higher level, there has been a downward curve, and the university and college sector has had a dismal year. We have had cut after cut in the allocation of the state budget and strict state management from the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Ola Borten Moe. To put it mildly, there has not been much to celebrate. But then. Finally. On January 24, the long-awaited upswing came. In AP, SP and SV’s new crisis package, the students were finally the winners! The parties in the Parliament negotiated the so-called collective bill from the government, which covers both electricity assistance and measures to remedy the financial consequences of the infection control measures that were introduced before Christmas. The electricity subsidy for students is now a total of 282 million kroner, and each individual student can apply for up to 3,000 kroner for help in paying the electricity bill. The support will be organized so that it is paid through Lånekassen (Norway’s loan fund), and now everything will come in the form of a stipend. This means that one does not have to repay the money as a loan. Furthermore, 20 million kroner were allocated to preventive mental health measures for students. This money comes on top of the 140 million that has previously come from the government, where 100 million kroner will be given to universities, colleges and vocational colleges, as well as 40 million kroner to the student organizations. Educational institutions must use the funds to provide students with extra academic support and prevent them from being delayed or dropping out of school as a result of the pandemic. The millions for the student organizations will be used for social and psychosocial measures for students. This means that both NMBU and SiÅs will receive more funds that can be used to boost the world’s best student culture, which we all know and love. Here, AU cannot rest on its laurels, and in collaboration with ViceRector Elise Norberg and student life coordinator Marit Raaf, we will immediately get started with the work of how the package of measures can be used more effectively. Still, here at AU we need your help. How can NMBU and SiÅs use the money so that the measures they initiate reach as many students as possible?

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What do you miss in your day-to-day studying? How can the support system around you become even better? Feel free to give us input on this by sending an email to studenttinget@nmbu.no, show up at Studentting 1 at TF Fløy 3 on Monday February 7th at 17:00, or contact your class representative or student council representative. This is a difficult time for all of us, but now we really see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hold on, be strong, I’m cheering for you <3 Big hug from Ina.

TUNTREET

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Two beers with

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TWO BEERS

“It’s not hard to invent your own entertainment – don’t forget that” Benjamin Alexander Faulkner Journalist Synne Lousie Stromme Photographer

ULsecats “Yes! They have risen!” Synne erupts triumphally. She pulls out a tray of lusekatter (read: ULsecats. Urban Labcats?), baked as a stunt for an Urban Lab event, but alas! corona slapped our cheeks yet again, and the event can’t proceed as planned. We are seated in a four-man collective in Eplehagen. Outside, frost and ice prowls in the dark, but inside, the sofas are deep – bathed in the red, warm light from felt-covered lamps. There’s an air of the Mediterranean and its sandy charm about this place. It is difficult to ignore the outrageous booze cabinet, filled to the rim with a richness of spirits and related clutter. The cabinet is probably unjustly neglected in these dry days. From Oslo to Ås Synne grew up in Manglerud, Oslo, and lived the suburban life: played football and the piano, being no stranger to escapades and mischief. At school, she was an astute pupil. She was, after all, to become an architect like her parents before her. After high school, she found herself in the service of the King at Huseby leir, as a paramedic in the Royal Guards. The worst part she remembers was not the responsibility for potentially having to do amputations on her forty comrades, but all the drunkard exguards who commented on insufficiently shined boots. After leaving the service, she moved in to Mølla, the floor over Bohemen. “Fortunately, I’m a heavy sleeper”, she remarks. After the first “infovors”, it did not take long before she got to work, and she worked as a buddy chief early on. Then she dove into Terra Forma, acting as the academic association’s representative in NLA’s World Congress in Oslo. In the company of thousands of international landscape architects, this undoubtedly gave her a broad perspective.

Adulting skills It is certainly wise to hold a position of responsibility, either at the Samfunnet, in academic associations or in other organizations. Not only do you meet new friends, and it looks on your CV, but it helps you build so-called “grownup-skills”. You learn how to organize social and academic events, write emails (as well as reading them), and take responsibility for carrying things through. After doing her part as bartender in UKA 2018, she became Chief of Events in 2020, and hosted “Ta Sjansen” and “Gøy på Landet”. “There’s not many places where you can learn this stuff before you are employed,” she says. And this is important. Knowledge accumulates like building blocks and can later on turn out to be useful later in life. It builds confidence, and shows you what you are capable of. The wisdom of silly ideas Synne explains all her outrageous ideas, which admirably enough, were also carried out. Take the Wednesday Club, as an example. “Me and Emilie both like Hit for Hit. Rag on your head, the whole thing,” she tells us. Synne and her friend, Emilie, both wore a “Backer deg”-shirt on Graskurs del 1. Suddenly, a whole new association appeared out of the blue, and they recruited twenty-six members before Graskurs was over. To explain the Wednesday Club, you only need six words: “We do what we like – now!”. It is an association for those who don’t want to be in an association: for those who want to hang out with other people with no strings attached. Another outrageous antic happened during the last dark COVID period. With carefully coordinated broom sticks, they tied a rope between Verket 7 down to Mølla. They successfully managed to convey a bowl of cream from one end to the other, resulting in an orgiastic celebration from all the windows and balconies within visual range.

SHORT LIFE TIPS: to a Take the Interrail alone or urg lzb Sa quaint town, like u yo t tha so ne, Venezia. Do it alo ”. am dre d an can “walk around with pesto 2. Try making pasta h. “Not the rus a when you are in st.” sie ea nicest, but it’s the rces of sou as s 3. See your friend inspiration

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TWO BEERS Sick with corona Last Christmas, she sat on a sofa with an infected person for half an hour. Synne got the virus. She was able to maintain her concentration for an hour and a half every day before she had to lie down to sleep. She was cognitively fatigued. “I was worried I had chronic fatigue syndrome, at one point”. She says her symptoms lasted for many months. Marvellously, she made it through the notorious subject “construction design”, a subject feared by even the boldest of landscape architecture students. Good work routines made the day. This autumn, she took a break, but now she has risen from the ashes like a Phoenix, ready for new antics and projects. Urban Lab Urban Lab is Synne’s passion. On these events, the students sweat through the weekend to solve spatial planning issues in case areas, like Grønlikaia in Oslo. They are rewarded with a superb concert, where Svømmebasseng, Pasha and Coucheron have played previously. Regarding the question whether it started as a silly idea, she reacted with an enigmatic laugh. Kristoffer Pinheiro came up with the idea after completing a landscape project at Eika, for which he and Synne won an award. Afterwards, their thoughts began to spin. It was possible to work together and get things done on short notice.

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The application received financial help from the prorector, and Urban Lab took off fast. “It gave a confidence boost. An itch for more.” Recently, the project has been granted 3,5 million in funding by the government, and that covers the next three years. The next project is going to use Campus East as a case area – an area spreading from the TF-building to NIBIO buildings in Høgskoleveien. Do stupid things while you can Synne contemplates in silence. Four years of experience answers the question: what advice to give to a new student? She recommends taking other subjects than required in your study program. Also: “it’s not hard to invent your own entertainment – don’t forget that. You don’t have to be in a social association to have fun or make friends. There are many ways to do that”. The most important thing, she says, is to find someone you can do stupid things with, because who knows, maybe a stupid idea – which is just outrageously silly – might end up as something constructive for the society!

GREETINGS Miiip mowwo kepoow girl with the strangest noises! Finally, you are receiving your wellearned recognition! The highest candidate to “Two Beers”, not just for your enormous enthusiasm and compassion for everyone around you, but because you don’t need more than that before you doze off and sleep through the fire alarm. Who would think that the teenager with the black currant vodka during Buddy Week would become such a big part of our lives, almost four years later. Us! What a lady of such qualities and capabilities! Top notch! Life is never dull around you! The catalog of all your strange antics and inventions is infinite: ziplines, baking-nach, wall decoration-themed parties, acrobatic party stunts, skiing trips with slalom sticks, thai-karaoke and more. These are all experiences that have made us laugh (not just with, but at you). We are looking forward to more shenanigans and mischief with you. We’re backing you, homie 0287 - Henrik, Pia, Emilie and Sigrid<3

Dearest, greatest, best Synne! Thank you for all the time we spent with you, in the best block and committee in the world! The two years with you as Chief of Activities was, to put it mildly, unforgettable. You have such a sparkling enthusiasm, spreading to everyone who get the opportunity to meet you. You have such a remarkably great heart, a heart that everyone should have the delight of encountering. You are one big party of a person, and there are few things which please us more than hearing you burst with laughter. In this chaotic and unstructured company, you have been an untiring workhorse, working on things we could not always see from the outside. None of our plans or schemes would have made it if you had not restored order in the anarchy. We are immensely thankful for your support, whether it is social or in imagining scenarios. You have a gift for helping everyone around you, and you are a comforting person to come to for assistance.

Wæow Synne! You are a lady with many qualities! The ability to see how you impact people and your passions positively, is unfortunately not one of these. This is why we wish tell you that you are invaluable to the team. Luckily for NMBU and Ås - you have played on too many teams. For many of us, our friendship began as committee chiefs under UKA 2020, in the classroom, on Wednesday Club activities or in the student democracy. We are lucky to be able to work closer to you on your passion project, and it brings out the best of us. As you say: “we must all live our best lives”. And one thing which is just as true as it is a cliché: if it wasn’t for your enthusiasm, will and ability to see ideas come alive, we wouldn’t have been where we are today. Your spirit, optimism and joy make everyone feel safe in what they are doing. Those are qualities we hope you keep for ever<3 Hugs from the Urban Lab gang

As a tourist guide, you have managed a hopeless bunch of people at Samfunnet, and as Chief of Activities, you handled things in good order. You are a reassuring shoulder to cry on and to seek advice from, and we know that you will always be there for us. You have an incredible gift to help others, even if things are going a little haywire on your own front. Remember: we very much want to be a shoulder to cry on, and that you rest when you can, when you are not partying like a pro. Hugz and cuddlez from your gang at the Events Block 2020 <33

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TUNTREET

Public Health Science has established their own study association! Have you ever thought about which study association the students in the public health science master program belong to? The public health science students have been able to join Jordskifterlaget, but because of little interest there has not been a lot of events that really involved these students. This lasted until 2021, when the students saw the need to establish their own study association. Second year master student Vilde Juul took matters into her own hands with great help from her peers. Tuntreet has had a chat with the upcoming study association leader. Ingvild Lauvstad Journalist

How it all began It is a gray January day, with social distancing and shifting weather, as Tuntreet sits down to have a chat with Vilde. This has not affected her good mood, and the public health science student seems motivated and ambitious ahead of the work she about to embark on, the establishment of the brand-new study association for Public Health Science. The first question is naturally how it all began – how did the study association come to be? “I am a part of the Program board for Public Health Science, and we looked at the welfare survey”, Vilde begins, and points out that the survey scored well overall. “We also saw that some areas, especially concerning feeling a connection to the university and also socially, could use some more work. We soon went into dialogue with the teachers,

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Nathalie Genevieve Bjørneby Photographer

who were always very positive towards our ideas”, Vilde says, clearly grateful. They were also getting advice from Struktura, the new student association for Urban and Regional Planning, and at last, the student association Robust was formed.

Thea Samskott Translator

Public health science – about way more than handling pandemics & healthy food “The name represents the field well – it is about how society can enable people to lead robust, healthy and meaningful lives. It is about way more than dealing with pandemics and eating healthier, as many often believe. I hope the student association can help create more engagement around our field – because what we do concern all of us, and it is really important!” a devoted Vilde explains. Diversity within the student body Public Health Science is a 2-year master’s program, and this leads to great diversity within the student body regarding life situation, previous studies and work experience. This creates an even more urgent need for good arenas for social encounters. “The public health science students live in Oslo and in Ås, some have started their own families, and some are still enjoying the

TUNTREET student lifestyle. The study association is created by the “Ås circle”, but it is here for everyone. We hope to create a social environment, with activities such as trips, evenings by the bonfire and get-to-know-everyone events when the new students arrive in the fall, so the student association truly becomes a part of their student lives. We also hope to be able to arrange a summer party!” Vilde adds with a smile. “We also want to focus on academic events later – though we need to have realistic expectations”, she clarifies.

Public Health Science – not just for Public Health Science students “The best part about having a student association, apart from the social and academic parts of course, is being able to present public health in a bigger arena. We are definitely open to more interdisciplinary collaboration with other student associations further down the road. We are for example learning to use GIS-software to connect heath- and map data. Through this we can study how physical environment affects people’s health and well-being. This is an example of how planning and public health can be tied together, and can lead to interesting discussions and possibilities for great lectures”, Vilde concludes.

Vilde Juul has established the student association Robust in collaboration with the following people: Susanne Ranheim Berg, Gina Karoline Hass Meaas Gjermundsen, Idun Solem Hedlo, Marit Ingeborg Kvernmoen, Thea Tollås Nørvåg and Susanne Moe. She thanks them for the teamwork so far!

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ROTSKUDD

A glance at Norwegian dating Iris van Brunschot Journalist

I heard lots of good things about the typical Ås student before I started at NMBU. There were rumours about outdoorsy people with a love for outdoor activity and nature. Handsome guys with stylish woollen sweaters who sing, dance, and go skiing. Passionate girls who bike around to save expired food. Eccentric people who dare be themselves. The conditions seem perfect for finding love, but are we brave enough to ask each other out on a date? From Buenos Aires to Ås When I came to Ås after staying in Argentina, I had become accustomed to an open and direct dating culture. Attending a tango class in Buenos Aires, I met a guy from Colombia—let’s call him Pablo. One night, Pablo asked me if I’d like a beer, so we went to a bar. A few days later, we went to the cinema, and the week after we went for a walk in the park. It was not until a few dates later, I might have been asked to head back to his’. When I a year later, studied in Wales, dating took a pretty similar course, and friends from around the world could confirm the international dating model. Norwegian dating, on the other hand, has been turned upside down, shaken, and then reassembled in a random order. Dating Turned Upside Down I came to Ås ready to look for love, which also became the first story I wrote for Tuntreet in the fall of 2020. There,

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Signe Aanes Illustrator

Sofie Palmstrøm Translator

I painted a picture of a starlit walk with freshly baked waffles and a magical meeting in the thrift shop in Ås centre (when it, for once, is open). But it quickly became clear to me that those dreams would remain imagination. If you get a “hi”, it possibly turns into a date (probably an outdoor activity as going to a café to talk is way too awkward), you’re lucky. But don’t get your hopes up just yet. The chance of the date leading to something more than just a nice walk is slim. If you have more ambitious plans, alcohol is required. Pablo Gets Drunk Let’s go back to Pablo who asks me if I want a beer. But this time it doesn’t stop with just one glass of Ringnes. Three, four, five glasses of beer. Then some wine. And gladly some liquor to top it off. Closer to midnight both are swaying as we approach the dance floor, and by now you know the time is ripe for some action. If you are lucky, Pablo is still at the house the next morning, and you venture out on a new date where the process is repeated. After this it might be ok to give each other a quick nod if you randomly and unwillingly cross paths. First after having slept together an unknown number of times, you somehow are declared as a couple. A couple of years later you move in together and (in the case of the environmentally conscious Ås-student) pick out furniture at the thrift store.

ROTSKUDD

The Ås student: Really Norwegian or Eccentric? The typical Ås student is fond of Norwegian traditions, while also time trying to stand out and be innovative. But do the students in the Ås bubble manage to stand out in terms of dating, or do they fall back into old patterns? The truth is that the walk around the fields rarely leads to something more exciting unless alcohol is involved. On the contrary, the more exciting seems to happen after a seemingly innocent, but rather drunk “hi” yelled out to a fellow student across a table at a Wednesday’s bodega. Ås can be said to be a prime example of the Norwegian dating model. How did Norwegians get here? Is it impossible to sleep together without alcohol or go on a date without awkward looks the day after? What has created this unusual order of dating (which, by the way, is the most ordinary thing for Norwegians)? In my eyes it all boils down to a polite wish of keeping your distance, not be a bother, and at all times avoid awkward situations. Bergensbanen as a Very Relevant Metaphor Don’t get me wrong, the “Norwegian” dating model is not uniquely Norwegian. The difference is that there are many roads in Italy which lead to Rome. In Buenos Aires, there are several trams going to Plaza de Mayo. In Norway, there is only Bergensbanen which takes you from Bergen to Oslo.

Between Bergen and Trondheim there are no trains at all. The point is that I was a little lost with my last example, but so is Norwegian dating. Internationally, there are many ways to find love; in Norway, there is mainly only one. I must admit that me and my Dutch roots have been Norwegified. I don’t say hi to the bus drivers, I only talk to strangers when I’m drunk, and I can see the benefits of Norwegian dating. Nevertheless, I must say there is a certain charm in traditional flirting. Some of the excitement is to say hi to a fellow student without knowing what it will lead to. But perhaps Norwegian students find it more exciting to wake up hungover and see if yesterday’s “hi” is still laying on the other side of the bed? Anyway, I challenge you to start a conversation with your crush in a sober lunch break at campus; before you know it you are seated next to each other on the train to Rome. Viva l’amore!

*Parts of this article are inspired by “The social guidebook to Norway – an illustrated introduction” written by Julien S. Bourelle.

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EROTICA

“Wow, who is that?” Suddenly Trine’s eyes were as big as saucers. Passing us was someone who can only be described as a scruffy, cocky dude. “I have no idea, and honestly I don’t want to know”, I harshly replied. The buddy week had had a lot to offer already, and I felt no need to get to know that kind of guy. The kind that entertains girls until he’s bored, and then moves on to his next victim. It was as if he could smell my lack of interest and headed straight over to us. “Hey! I’m Jacob!” Sure, I already knew that. Right, Jacob. Jacob with the abs. The selfassured grin. Those chocolate eyes. I had barely started my first semester but had already heard the rumors. It was no secret that he was ripped. Some had heard that he was well-equipped in other ways too. I was able to peep some contours through the grey sweats, but it is dangerous to look directly at the sun. Even though we were in the same class, he had already been here a year. Changed courses after the second semester. He still took full advantage of the buddy week. Obviously. “Don’t you think he is a little cute?”, Ane jumped in, after he had left. “Tall and dark, I can tell you like him”. I blushed, but was able to produce a dismissing no. My moist panties told a different story. 38 Edition 01 Volume 77

very honorable, dripping with irony, but that I actually had to work on my math exercises now. His clever smile melted away and turned into a confused expression. He did as I said but did not stop ogling me from across the room. And even if I wouldn’t admit it, my eyes wandered up from Thomas’ calculus more often than I liked. It was nice to feel the control I had over him. October came, and the girls and I had gotten tickets to Octoberfest. We had invested in matching dirndls, way more provocative than what I usually wore. Maybe Mr. Calculus would be there? To be honest, the thought of him seeing me in the lowcut German dress excited me. Though we were in the same class, luckily we had few courses together. It suited me perfectly. Which is why I was so shocked when I found out who the assistant teacher in MATH111 was. Shit, he took that course last year. And of course, he came over to me again, with his usual cocky attitude. He boasted about how the lecturers had recommended that he apply for an assistant teacher position. “Got an A, might as well put my skills to good use”, Jacob said with a wink. I pet his head, and told him it was

Octoberfest was really fun, but to be honest, there are some parts of that night that I think about more often than others. While enjoying Pløyd Mark Coverband’s songs, sipping from our brand-new pintseidels, I saw him hitting on someone else in our class. Sleazy, as always, but he usually gets the girls. When she finally left, I had decided. I was going to teach him some manners. “Where are you going?”, Trine asked me drunkenly. “I am just going to the toilet”, I answered. The sound of my high heels announced my arrival, step by step.

EROTICA “Did you get a haircut?”, Jacob asked when he saw me. I had, but what did that have to do with anything? His arrogant smile made me even more determined. “You have misbehaved, and I think you should come along with me.” With a stern look I grabbed his arm firmly and marched down the stairs. Straight into the handicap bathroom. The lock clicked. The air was heavy. “You are fucking annoying, you know?” slipped out of my mouth, but before he had the chance to reply, I planted my lips on him. I was going to teach him a lesson. I pushed him against the porcelain and slowly undid his pants. I saw his cock growing though his underwear. Throbbing, pulsating. I felt the heat through the thin cotton before pulling it away. My pussy was aching. I felt how wet my panties were becoming. I was horny as fuck. “Go down on me, now”, I commanded, while slowly jerking him off. Still standing, I saw him slowly sinking to the ground, preparing for the feeling of being suffocated by my pussy. Warm and wet. I felt my juices running down his face. I saw his dick glistening. Hard. Rock hard. He could only do as I said. He fondled my clit with his tongue, slowly at first, then faster. Little by little. Faster and faster. Suddenly, I felt everything at once. I fell back and everything faded away. I had never come so hard and so fast before. I was way too sensitive to let him continue.

Have you ever read an erotic short story and felt a little tickle in your (writing) hand? Do you have a burning desire to get your erotic piece published in Tuntreet?

Instead, I shoved him up on the chair, and slowly began kissing him, inching towards his crotch. I soon swallowed his member with my mouth. A big gasp escaped his mouth. “Shut up!” I replied. It was no joke that Jacob was big. Way bigger than I had had before. I had always been complimented on my sloppy blowjobs, and this was no exception, not that I had any interest in hearing what Jacob had to say.

I was as satisfied as I was annoyed. His eyes never regained focus. For the next 30 seconds I was convinced we weren’t even on the same planet. I let his semi-erect dick slide out of me, along with most of what he had filled me with. “Never tell anyone about this”, I firmly stated and shoved Jacob back down as he tried to stand up. It was sore, but good. An itch that finally had been scratched.

My nipples poked through my blouse, insanely sensitive. I couldn’t wait any longer. “You and I are going to have sex now”. Jacob was not hard to convince. He placed me on the toilet, and spread my legs. With a groan he filled me with his cock. It slipped right in. Deeply. He slowly sank into me, push after push. He felt my breasts with his big hands through my blouse. “Has nobody told you about hand cream?” I felt him using me, with hungry eyes. He was like an animal, sweat dripping from his forehead, his underarms and his chest. His muscles trembled. The smell of his skin was intoxicating. The fact that I had never come twice was no longer true.

I returned to the others. Ane asked me if everything was all right, as I had been gone for quite some time. “Yes, never better”, I assured her. In the background, Jacob had finally returned. Trine asked if I should go talk to him. “No, fuck him”, I answered. -Anonympho

I could tell that he was close to finishing, so I stopped the session to regain control. “Sit down, fuckboy”, I said as I lifted my skirt and placed myself so I could ride him. Hard. His hands were glued to my hips. My thrusts were like small earthquakes. His voice became more and more quivery. His hands became sweaty. My pussy dripped with joy. Jacob groaned deeply. For a moment, we melted together, and he filled me with his semen.

This spring, you can quench your (writing) thirst through our erotic short story contest, with the chance to win a 500kr gift card from Kondomeriet.

Oda Braar Wæge Illustrator

Thea Samskott Translator

Chosen texts will be published throughout the spring, and the winning piece will be announced in the last edition before summer.

Send your submission to tuntreet@samfunnetiaas.no or deliver it to postbox 1211 in the post office. The author is anonymized, unless otherwise desired.

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TUNTREET

Coffee at Klubben

Klubben expands its facilities! Anne Tove Græsdal Tornes Våge Journalist

Emilie Netskar Journalist and photographer

Alexander Mæland Munkejord Translator

The new year brought a surprise for students who hung out in Klubben to socialize during the January block, a new room where they can study and enjoy their coffee! The room, formerly known as the football room, opened November 14th 2021. Because of the pandemic though, not everyone has received the news yet. During a visit to Klubben early in January, we met someone who was using the room. Helene is drinking latte and smiles at Live, who is holding her hot chocolate. When asked why they are sitting in the new room, they reply that they have both been on exchange, and wanted to meet up again now that both had returned to Ås. Helene had noticed the Klubben was open, so they met there. When we asked what they like about the new room, Helene replies: “It is cozier now, we are left a bit more by ourselves here”. It is not just the guests that are excited about the new room, the workers are too. “It’s just great”, says Henrik, part of the Klubben committee. 40 Edition 01 Volume 77

The idea is for the room to be like a library, where one can study, and have food and coffee easily available. At the General Assembly of Studentsamfunnet in the fall of 2020, it was decided that the football room would become a reading room/library to increase the number of low-threshold activities offered on the house. Now, it is finally in use, just like we wanted back in the fall of 2020. What is the History of the Football Room? Until the spring of 2015, the room was used to watch football matches (hence the name football room), and this was run by the football committee. Due to expensive licenses for watching and showing the matches, it was discontinued. Until now, it has only been used for some movie nights, and has not had its own purpose, like when it was the football room. Finding a use for the room has been discussed at the GA for

several years, both in the work program and in the strategy. With a new room, we also need a new name. It used to be the football room, but that time has passed, and Henrik pitches ‘Lysbrytning’ (En: Refraction) as a potential name. Marte, who also works in Klubben, thinks it is great to have a room where one can sit and read. Now, steps have been taken for a more defined use than it used to have. We are excited to see how this develops!

TUNTREET

Photo: Natalie Genevieve Bjørneby

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TUNTREET

A Train Odyssey about Public Management Bjørnar Djupevik Hagen Writer

Celine Våga Translator

Wow, I’m incredibly skilled at packing lightly, I think cheerfully and self-righteously as I step aboard the Sørtoget.

hugs are frowned upon, a naked body would probably be whipped as a suitable punishment. If I only were fonder of sadomasochism…

BAAM! My feet malfunction and I fall back on the platform. Bewildered, I fumble my phone out of my pocket and in the absence of knowledge and clarity, I manage to google some mildly relevant search words “Vy ruter HELP! Luggage nsb suitcase”.

I got a strange message an hour ago about me having lost my luggage on the train, dad answers when I tell him about my lost suitcase. Maybe it has something to with your luggage, he suggests. Obviously, I think of how foolish he must be for not putting two and two together, and at the same time proud that he wouldn’t be tricked by a rich prince from NSB in need of help to get his money out of the bank. But I wished he was my mom; a woman’s sharp sense of judgement would have known that it was the returning son’s luggage that was astray.

I left my luggage on the L21 train. I have been walking around Oslo for an hour without realizing it. If you are lucky enough, Entur’s customer support center might be able to help, the conductor tells me. Just run up between tracks 8 and 9. I asked. Stuttering forward that the conductor said I might get some help here. That was strange, says a life-drained customer support worker, we cannot do that at all. Your conductor should have known better, we do not help anyone here. But I’ll give you the number to Vy so you can fix things yourself. The phone is answered by a professional, Hello, this is Vy’s customer support. The voice explains that the train I took is offline, so it is not possible to get in contact with them. I thank them for the help and walk sullenly down the slope to Sørtoget. The conductor crew is eagerly waiting for me but realizes that I had not received any help, so they quickly get occupied with talking to each other. I mumble a thanks-for-the-help as I pass them, but my mind is stuck on how I am going to make it in Germany the next six months without clothing. Nudism was probably more acceptable before corona, but when

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Luckily, I do not have time to blame him, I must get that conductor’s number as fast as possible! The conductor, Isak, happens to be a trønder, and the prejudice comes creeping. The only trønder I know that goes by this name is a drunkard and a liar that likes to decorate the toilet bowl with poop. Against the expectations, Isak turns out to be really nice. He is in Ski now - on his way to Moss - and can deliver me my baggage when he is back in Oslo. He apologizes that it unfortunately won’t work, and I thank him. Not that I am grateful to lose my suitcase, but because the conductor is so service-minded and nice, in contrast to Entur’s customer support which is such a quirky display of anti-service that it somewhat seems like a piece of contemporary art, a satire on the disconnect between companies and workers. The worker has no power to help because they do not work for any of the companies that own the merchandise they sell, and do not have any incentive to further the business in a more flattering light either. A new conductor enters the wagon, and, at the same, time this story. A blonde beauty that is obviously on a Tinder date with the fellow in the other group of four in the wagon. A summary of the luggage mystery follows, but the reader is already aware of the most important events that have occurred.

TUNTREET

The conductress tells that she has a conductor-friend that might be able to help us. I am immediately interested for the wrong reasons, and from there we quickly hatch a plan where the friend meets Isak on the platforrrrrm and hands the luggage over to the night train when it comes. After an intense round of Wall Street stockbrokinglevel phone calling, all the conductors are informed, and I can sit back. Me and the Tinderdate get a free cup of cocoa each and start chatting. He is a project manager of electricity on oil riggs, and I wind myself up over how electrification of the Continental Shelf is the grossest example of greenwashing there is. The bill negotiations are done by oil lobbyists who want the state to spend millions on financing an advertising campaign. He agrees, and we are both glad to be sitting on a train funded by oil money. But one matter we do not agree on is him being on a Tinder date. The conductor is his wife. With that revelation, I say my thanks and step of at Vennesla. The cold stings, but I do not fall for the temptation to keep myself warm while waiting for the train to roll up to the platform at three at night. I think about public management, and how much more complicated the luggage-deal had to be because

Vy and Go-Ahead usually do not meddle in each other’s business. How privatization of a fundamentally monopolistic system such as railway was a mystery to me until it happened to myself. How the ACER deal was a political/technical/economic question I neither understood nor cared about until the (electricity) price crisis happened. Why the state should finance one of the world’s most expensive greenwashing campaigns, and that the state maybe is not as trustworthy as one would hope. That maybe well-meant housing agreements for those who govern our country is a nice gesture for the work they are doing, but that we are in a new time. A time where being a politician is not a position, but a profession. With top salaries and systems that should be easy to maneuver through and relate to for four years at a time, but which have become a goldmine for those who rot in politics, who lose touch with reality and only see “the bigger game”. No answer reveals itself to me before the train howls out from the fog and blinds me. I shake off the snow and break off the icicles that have grown on me in the last four hours. A northerner hands over the luggage before the train choo-choos off. No matter how questionable the management of our country is, there are still skilled train conductors who make that extra effort. But not Entur, I have no idea what they are doing.

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TUNTREET

Tun and Things Ås Jazz Festival 2022 On the last weekend of January, jazz came to Ås. The program included a concert with Karin Krog and The In-between-Times, a screening of the film “Cairo Jazzman”, and an outdoor display of art from the workshop “Think of your eyes as ears”. The festival concluded on Saturday featuring pianist Lorenzo Nardocci Trio with Harriet Müller-Tyl on vocals.

Sofie Bergset Janols Photo journalist

BUA to be renovated BUA is going to be renovated, and they invite you to a renovation design competition this spring. The kick-off and competition launch took place on January 28th, and the winning group will be announced at the end of March.

The new UKA logo UKA in Ås has gotten a new logo.

Photo: Hilde Petra Gottschal

(From the archive)

44 Utgåve 01 Årgang 77

Angelique Rein Translator

PRIESTLY THOUGHTS

The NOW I find myself at a new year’s party. 2021 is about to turn 2022. A friend of mine dings his glass and says that he wants to recite a poem. I have a giggle and think to myself how poetry was never my cup of tea. Then he rises, and presents the following poem in a masterly manner. Oh yesterday, that was a future day a Lord’s time not long ago. I see you now: in pursuit of time traveled by both time and me! Oh today, can you, on your way at ease, and keep time at a halt? No, the now now – is soon a then – a closed down stop, that behind danced! Tomorrow is our today – yesterday and later – all our future is past but that explains, that every now is eternity itself – in the middle of time And all past and future is known from this peak of eternity, the now by Herman Wildenveys The giggle I had before he started turned into teary eyes and a reflecting mind. It hit me! The Now. This is where we are. Right now. Like eternity itself in the middle of time. Not one of us can stop time. Not one of us can change what happened yesterday. And not one of us benefit from worrying about tomorrow. Like Jesus said in his Sermon on the Mount well over two thousand years ago; “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). It is equally true today. And I think that we humans can benefit from hearing these words again and again. What happened yesterday has already happened. And even though the exam – or whatever you may worry about – lies ahead, the worries that you have right now will not help. Life is now. Live it as well as you can. Right now. Did you need this reminder? I did. Do you need someone to talk to? I am here. Feel free to get in touch! - Ingrid, student priest

Ingrid U. Øygard and Sigurd A. Bakke are the student priests here at NMBU. Their office is in the basement of Urbygningen. They are available if you need someone to talk to, seek advice or have a discussion. The office is open on Wednesdays from 11:00 to 15:00, but also available other days. Appointments are made through: io484@kirken. no , 95919318 eller Sigurd: sigurd.a.bakke@nmbu. no , 99015790

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COLUMNS

The Office New year, same old corona. Even though the year has started a little slow, Studentsamfunnet i Ås are not getting lazy. MiniUKA is fast approaching and in a month and a half it will be up and running! We look forward to showing you all what we’ve been working on lately, and we think it’s going to be a blast! Otherwise, UKA in Ås has been refreshed in the form of a new logo and new design profile, something many of you may have noticed! We are very proud of our new look, and we hope Thorvald and Tora are too! On February 9, there will be a mini UKE release where programs and artists will be revealed! There may be some competitions as well, so stay tuned! NU is working hard to plan the Business Day on February 16th. It has now been determined that the career fair will take

place digitally, but we have no doubt that it will be incredibly good regardless! If you are looking for a job, summer job, internship, master’s collaboration or want to get in touch with companies, be sure to sign up! Since Business Day takes place digitally, it will be easy to talk to companies via chat or video interviews. We in the Business Committee are really looking forward to seeing you all! Samfunnet has felt the burden of the corona situation throughout January. Despite this, committee leaders and members have made an incredible effort to give Thorvald and Tora a good offering all through January. Klubben has been open the whole block and in the absence of party nights it has been open until 23:30 on Wednesdays and Fridays. There have also been Tuesday refills, quizzes and other events during this first month of the year. We are looking

forward to this year’s first party night, semester kickoff with 06 Boys on Saturday 05.02 and hope that we can soon return to normal operations again. Jørgen Bonden UKE Leader for UKA i Ås 2022 Nora Helmets Head of the Business Committee at NMBU Hedda Mejlænder-Larsen Head of Samfunnet i Ås

Student things

New year 2022 is already here and the spring semester is upon us. We are headed towards brighter times. Not only is the sun going in the right direction, but the universities are facilitating more inperson education. Offering more physical education is necessary and important when students enter their third study years marked by corona. The pandemic is not over yet, but now there is more activity on campus!

Last semester, the student election was a painless operation, and we had plenty of suitable male candidates, both for the university board and the faculty board. We had 18.6% total turnout of voters, which is high compared to other colleges and universities. Nonetheless our ambitions are higher, and we are hoping for a greater turnout in the The year started abruptly when things took a turn with the new spring, when we will be electing female representatives and a new variant Omicron. Many of us had hoped to see the light at the end Student Board. of the pandemic tunnel in 2021.Furthermore, the students have been hit hard by measures, budget cuts, and high electricity prices, We will be seeing a group of new international students this spring, but the student leaders are working together to make it understood and an international buddy week is planned. The events are not how important it is for us to get long-term, robust solutions to deal planned to all happen in a single week, but rather spread throughout with the crisis we students are in. It is important that we express our the month. We are looking forward to seeing new students and opinions clearly to the government, and this is now paying off with wishing them a warm welcome! more help for students from the government. We (AU) have been working from the office, and you can contact We have been doing a lot of work on ensuring extra funds from the us if you have any questions, feedback or worries, and we are glad Stortinget that samskipnaden and university can use to enhance the to talk to you. Check on our facebook and instagram page to know welfare of their students. We also submitted a consultation input to about the things we are doing and announcements for positions or the kommune plan that sets the framework for future development funds. Like we have open applications for welfare funds now which in our community for the next 12 years. We mentioned how has the deadline of 10 February. More details can be found on our important it is to unite local communities, academia, and regional website: www.studentdemokratiet.no. business to realize Ås municipality’s vision of “Environment, diversity and opportunities” and also the larger agenda of the UN’s sustainability goals. 46 Edition 01 Volume 77

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Operating committees 101/SAMF322 Amalie Pedersen Brønmo Translator

Hello! Samfunnet i Ås is implementing something new. It is operating committees! You’re maybe wondering what that is? We will now be trying to give you an introduction to what it is, the usefulness of it and what it means to be a part of an operating committee! Operating committees is a project which is worked on across the different bodies of Studentsamfunnet i Ås, meaning Samfunnet i Ås, UKA i Ås, The Business Committee of NMBU (NU) and Tuntreet. The project was started after the Pluto 6 commission was passed at Studentsamfunnets General Assembly in the spring of 2020. The commissions task was to look for opportunities for increasing the efficiency of the organizational structure of Studentsamfunnet. They came to the conclusion that there were numerous positions who had identical tasks in the different bodies, and that a merging of them would be beneficial. In the first phase the focus was on accounting and sponsoring. The sponsorship team of UKA i Ås was moved under the sponsorship responsible in NU and they were tasked with finding sponsors for the whole organization. The accountants of Samfunnet and UKA were joined together to make a bigger team who now keep the accounts for the organization as a whole. This got the ball rolling, and the process of mapping the needs and possibilities of operating committees was carried out in 2021. As of today, we have found that there is a possibility of 11 operating committees and heads of committees. This includes committees and heads of committees that are managing the carrying out of parties like the Security Committee and Entrance Committee and more administrative positions like IT, Linticket and Climate Accountant. The benefits of this process are that we get to have committees and heads of committees that have a wider knowledge and more experience, which can be shared between the different bodies. That way, UKA i Ås won’t start from scratch on all

parts at the beginning of a new UKEproject. It would increase the predictability and give better ground for succeeding, so that we could use our time to develop and improve. There comes some benefits and possibilities for those who now have become a part of an operating committee. Are you, for instance, in the Security committee, you would now be viewed as a functionary for UKA i Ås. You would have the same benefits as the functionaries and the committee members. You would also work fewer hours total than if you were in a committee and a functionary separately. This means that you would have the opportunity to attend more events as a guest during the UKAhalf-year. This is an exciting project that we are really looking forward to see develop in the time coming. Enthusiastic regards from Hedda Mejlænder-Larsen leader of Samfunnet i Ås Jørgen Bonden UKEleader for UKA i Ås

Do you have a letter for us? Send it to tuntreet@s amfunnetiaas.no

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GAME PAGES

Tilde Milia Skåtun Creator

NONOGRAM Nonograms are picture logic puzzles in which cells in a grid must be colored or left blank according to the numbers on the side of the grid to reveal a hidden picture. The numbers tell how many cells which should be connected. Between these should be at least one empty cell. If there are more than one solution on a row, you can see if they have some coloured cells in common. You can fill these in and maybe that will help you fill another row or column.

SUDOKU

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JOIN TUNTREET’S PUZZLE CHALLENGE! This semester, each issue will include a special puzzle. You will have to solve each puzzle to find a letter, and in the end, the letters will form a 5-letter word. Can you figure out which one? Send us your answer at tuntreet@samfunnetiaas.no and join in the competition for the chance to win a flax lodd!

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CLUB BANTER

Foreningsprat New year, new opportunities! Here is a small quiz: 1. Are you tired of not being able to do your exams in nynorsk, even though you have the right to do so? 2. Are you tired of being ignored when you suggest writing the group term paper in nynorsk? 3. Are you tired of having to defend why you choose to write in nynorsk? If your answers are YES, - join Ås studentmållag! We’re striving towards nynorsk-using students at NMBU being able to see their language used in exams and for information from NMBU. Additionally, we arrange social events like board game nights, concerts, and theatre plays. Our yearly meeting takes place on February 3rd, a Thursday. You can also read about us, the yearly meeting and Norsk Målungdom at www. malungdom.no and www.facebook.com/ asstudentmallag. Sjåast!

Skaal FFD! Skaal Skriver! Skaal $paregris! Skaal Hunkatter! Skaal Qlturelle samt Xklusive! Skaal Pusekatter! Skaal Tora samt Thorvald! Red colour. Warm. Energetic. Danger and Threat. Love and Energy. Will, Power, and Courage. Calm and Controlled. Aggression and Anger? A Colour with many a Meaning. Symbol! A beautiful Colour. Strong and meaningful. Passionate. Elegant. Very Qlturell and Xklusiv. Dangerous? STOP! It could be Dangerous. The safest is stopping. Do not go on. You did not stop! Adventurous? Curious? Daring? What hides behind the next Turn? Are there Answers? Skaal for getting to know the cats, happening in February! Qlturell Hilsen FFD Astrid, Skriver Celina samt $paregris Ingrid-Juliane

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New year, no new opportunities Even though we desperately seek Omicron makes it all harder than before More infection, but fewer on death’s door Another digital January block complete Making it hard to find love interests to meet We hope society opens once more Because then it will be easier, as we’ve experienced before We encourage everyone to become NK or funkis during UKA this year Submit an application with blood, sweat, and tears Norway’s longest student festival won’t arrange itself Volunteering is what makes it so special But before that, miniUKA must be organized And then the infection numbers must decrease in size The third dose should be prioritized So that the rest of the Greek alphabet does not materialize In the meantime, you can go ice skating on the Årungen ice At least that is approved by the police Forfatterfrøken

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CLUB BANTER

Bam, we’re off, straight from the New Year celebrations! Log on Our admissions are opened, join our info-vors first Koneklubben entices - Samfunnet opens? Kom kom For party and fun, nach dive we’ve got! All students – new or established Great time for association life Koneklubben Freidig

Association talk TT01 - Collegium Alfa

Hey ho – the year is 2022!

A new year is underway, with all its New Year’s resolutions being followed and broken. Soon we can wave the corona goodbye and once again enjoy a tequila or five. However, we have no plans to be lazy this year either. This year marks 100 years since Astri Frisak became the first female chairman of the Student Society in Ås. Since then, we have fortunately seen several female chairmen, UKE heads, managers and rectors. At the same time, we know that the representation is not as good elsewhere. We believe that women (and men and non-binary people) should lift other women up and forward, and we look forward to continuing to do so in the coming year. Does this sound like something for you, combined with a little party, fun and jentestemning . Then come join speed dating with us!

The semester is off to a slow start, and covid is spreading like parasites on the spring pasture. We hope that “omicron” won’t keep us from having that “corona” at the exciting events happening this semester (hehe).

We look forward to seeing what 2022 brings!

We in DÅs are particularly looking forward to the start of the semester (party), miniUKA and last but not least, our performance on the 1st of April – no, it’s no April fools, we are actually having a show. We hope that we will fill the field with a great turnout from people and sheeple, as we really think this will be a fantastic dance show. Have a super start of the semester, you great students. GoodBahye for now!

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Have you heard... S to S Do you have light dyslexia? Asking for a friend Why has Graskurs 0,5 turned into 1,5? Not that it happened anyways Still healthy student Is everyone getting infected now or? Student without Douchebag Can you really go outside in public if you don’t own a Douchebag? Or if you don’t have a middle part hairstyle as a guy? Or if you don’t have high, black boots as a woman? Why does everyone have to look so similar? No wonder it’s hard to stand out in job application processes ;) Student with side part Where’s the place where everyone looks like that? Student with canvas rucksack What is a Douchebag? Student without Douchebag The backpack everyone has, except the Rævne boys UKEpatriot Have you heard that UKA i Ås is looking for volunteers!?!!?!?!?!? 10:00 24.01.2022 We’ll change the front page picture No, what is UKA i Ås? Tostinator Why isn’t the Odelskatalog 2021 online!?! Father It’s here ;) https://issuu.com/tuntreet/docs/odelskatalog_2021_ nett anonymous-maths-student Does anyone have space for another person in one of the home exam groups? Hush hush! Casual “I don’t want anyone to look at at me and think that I know Maths”

#tuntreet