Introducing: Patricia Grass and Antonia Ney – the New Student Representatives on the Equal Opportunity Advisory Board
In July 2020, Patricia Grass (Master's Degree in Construction Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering) and Antonia Ney (Master's Degree in Product Design, Faculty of Art and Design) were elected as Student Representatives to the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar’s Equal Opportunities Advisory Board. They have been working as contact persons for students from all faculties on the topic of gender equality in research and teaching since October 2020. They act as spokespersons for students, bringing their suggestions and criticism to the Equal Opportunities Advisory Board. We are pleased to introduce both Patricia Grass and Antonia Ney here.
Patricia Grass
is working towards her M.Sc. in Structural Engineering at the Faculty of Civil Engineering
How did you hear about the position of Student Representative on the Equal Opportunities Advisory Board and why did you decide to apply for the Position?
»I already knew about the Equal Opportunities Advisory Board through my work with Student and Academic Affairs. While discussing whether examination and study regulations should be gendered, I did some research and read the equality plan. This is what made me want to apply for the position; I wanted to make sure that these measures are being implemented. I also wanted to be a contact point for students who want to share their problems, opinions or ideas, or who just want to talk about experiences they’ve had.«
What are your hopes and goals for your term of office as a Student Representative on the Equal Opportunities Advisory Board?
»My goal for is to achieve a notable improvement – even if it makes just one person on this campus feel more comfortable than before. My hope is that I’m able to lend a sympathetic ear and learn something in the process.«
Antonia Ney
studies Product-Design, B.A., 7th semester, in the Faculty of Art and Design
How did you hear about the student representative position on the Equal Opportunity Advisory Board and what made you decide to run for office?
»I kept noticing injustices (based on gender, among other things) during my studies--even directly in courses through stories told by other students, or in the appointing or new instructors. When the opportunity arose for students to get involved with the Equal Opportunity Advisory Board through campaigns on Instagram and talking with friends, for instance, it was clear to me that I wanted to expand the discussion beyond just chatting around the kitchen table. There’s still a lot to be done in terms of equal opportunities for studying and working at the university. It’s important to me to adopt an intersectional perspective and to acknowledge discrimination against all genders.«
What are your hopes, wishes or goals for your term in office as student representative?
»My major goal is to ensure that all students can participate in all courses without fear of assault or discrimination. Unfortunately, this still isn’t the case. I am personally very interested in expanding low-threshold structures (e.g. through open office hours), which can be used to talk about experiences of discrimination or to ask questions about students’ interest in the Equal Opportunity Advisory Board. Most importantly I want to represent the interests of students together with Patricia Glass on the Equal Opportunity Advisory Board.«