Summary
Informational event hosted in cooperation with ÖH Sozialreferat (Office for social policy of the Federal Austrian Students Union) for students with care obligations.
Target groups
Implementing organization
JKU Linz - Department for Human Resource Development, Gender and Diversity Management /Contact
Julia Semper, julia.semper@jku.at
Implemented/introduced
Hosted for the first time in fall of 2019
Relation to gender equality targets
Within the reaudit of “hochschuleundfamilie” (“universityandfamily”), JKU commits to a university culture that is family-friendly and promotes compatibility of work/studies and family.
Under 8.Societal Goals & Sociopolitical Responsibility, the Development Plan ’19-’24 contains the following statement: “Family-friendly studies/work and connected to it compatibility of career and family are matters of great concern at JKU.”
Excerpt from the Plan for the Advancement of Women:
Ҥ 31 In principle, no disadvantages related to studying or graduating shall arise from compatibility of studies and family responsibilities, pregnancy, parenthood as well as care for dependent relatives
The objective(s) of the tool
Space for student parents is intended to provide information concerning supportive measures available at JKU and to intensify cooperation with the office for social policy. To decrease the dropout rate, JKU, as an institution that is family friendly, strives to assist students with care obligations in the best manner possible. Furthermore, networking and an exchange of various (student)perspectives shall be enabled as well.
Description of the tool
Conceived as a two-hour long format, space for student parents conveys knowledge relevant for students with care obligations featuring a buffet and a play corner for kids. Prospective parents and parents with small children up to the age of six are invited to participate. Following introductions by the Department for Human Resource Development, Gender and Diversity Management and the ÖH, a multitude of information related to studying with care obligations is offered in the form of an open space. Klartext – finanzielle Gesundheit (“plain language – financial health”) describes financial support options; budget plans, educational leave and childcare allowance are issues covered by the AK (Austrian Chamber of Labour). In addition, the office for social policy provides an overview of their services and JKU’s childcare facility Kidsversity is introduced.
The first installment of space for student parents was hosted by two student dads.
How the tool works, practical experience
In order to alleviate student parents’ burden and to increase student retention, widely disseminating knowledge concerning the range of support is key. Informational events such as space for student parents help enhance visibility of the issue, raise awareness, and testify to JKU’s appreciation of students with care obligations.
Feedback and atmosphere were both positive. The next installment is already being planned.
Attachments
Impressions of the first space for student parents in the fall of 2019 (in German only)