New Semester, New Projects: Discover the New Student Initiatives

From January 29 to 31, Reims campus students could pick three favorites among ten student initiatives vying for support. To be selected, student initiatives had to receive the votes of 5% of students on the campus; in our case, that comes out to be 101 students.

To clarify, “student initiatives are limited-duration projects selected by the student community and led by one or more students in the fields of culture, knowledge, sport, the environment, solidarity, health, civic engagement and the fight against discrimination. A selection campaign is organised each semester.”

I submitted a student initiative, the Alive Poets Society, this semester. For me, it was a chance to develop a project together with my friends, and to try out all of the aspects of running an association (although that is a status that can only be received next semester).

More than a chance to practice project management skills, student initiatives are an opportunity to express one’s passions and convince the campus that they too should be passionate about student ideas. Members of Renard Capital Fund say their initiative was created to introduce the student community to the world of finance, with a particular emphasis on member education. Lucas, a member of Sciences Potaku, says that the initiative aims to “promote Japanese culture, especially manga and anime, on campus”. Students For Justice In Palestine Reims see the student initiative status as something that gives their cause greater legitimacy, both in front of the student community and administration.

To be selected, prospective initiatives tried to get supporters in different ways both online and in person. The Glass Hallway is a favorite haunt of anyone on campus trying to get some attention, and prospective student initiatives are no exception. Tables full of candy and walls decorated with posters greeted anyone trying to get to or escape from the library. On the digital side, Instagram was another election battleground. For some, a mass of new accounts popping up in their follow requests is the surest sign that some campaigning is afoot.

Overall, the interviewed teams of student initiatives were happy with how the process was organized. Mathis, Rafael, and Alberto from Renard Capital Fund said that the low barrier to entry gave each initiative a chance at getting selected, without creating a competitive environment. Eva from Students For Justice In Palestine Reims recognized the benefits of the chance to vote for three initiatives while remarking that the low turnout – an hour and a half before the vote was set to close, the participation rate was 41,1% – was disappointing. Lucas from Sciences Potaku suggested that perhaps Sciences Po could do more to promote the selection process, as the only notice of it came from a couple of emails in our inboxes. He believes that some did not even notice that a vote was taking place.

I am inclined to agree with my fellow initiators. Submitting a proposal for a student initiative is simple, consisting of a Google Form with a few questions about the goals and plans of the project. The process is also quick, with results announced just two and a half weeks after the deadline for project submissions. And while it is true that Sciences Po itself does not widely advertise the ongoing voting, as members of the Renard Capital Fund emphasized, the process gives student initiatives themselves the opportunity to be more active in informing others about the vote and convincing students to vote in their favor.

Just like that on Monday, not even a full three days after voting had closed, an email from the Student Life team revealed the nine student initiatives selected on the Reims campus. What can we expect from these projects this semester? We contacted all selected associations on campus to find out their first plans. Here’s what they said:

The Andalus Committee is dedicated to analyzing and addressing the challenges facing the Global South, with a particular focus on Africa. Their first plans revolve around organizing panel discussions on Africa’s geopolitical and economic challenges, launching a newsletter to analyze current events, and setting up networking events to connect students with experts working on African issues. They also hope to begin research projects for those interested in contributing to policy discussions.

The Artists’ Collective is eager to start recruiting passionate artists who are keen to develop a long-term artistic project. After that, work on projects will begin, with meetings organized regularly to support their development. These works will be showcased in an exhibition at the end of the semester. Additionally, the Collective is looking forward to inviting guest speakers to provide the artistic community with creative insight.

The Cercle Marxiste Rémois wishes to infuse the semester with debates with Marxists and non-Marxists to learn more about Marxism in general. They plan to organize conferences with teachers, specialists, and politicians. They also wish to do readings of Marxist books to create discussion and delve deeper into the ideas. Some more “fun events” such as movie screenings (communist analysis included) are also on the way.

The Renard Capital Fund is a student-run investment fund operating as a buy-side management firm with a strong emphasis on member education. “[Their] mission is to provide students with the knowledge, resources, and hands-on experience necessary to excel in the world of finance and investments.” Their first plans include a friendly networking get-together, as well as a conference with guest speakers, and a collaboration with the Neoma Investment Fund and other associations.

Sciences Potaku aims to “create a place where otaku culture comes to life and where every passionate soul finds a home.” Their main goal is to celebrate Japanese pop culture – manga, anime, video games – but also to “give a voice to those who are often shy or overlooked.” Their upcoming activities include movie nights, heated debates about the greatest anime of all time, and—if the stars align—a partnership with Genki to create an unforgettable Otaku Festival, complete with drawing contests and more surprises. Join them if you’ve “ever lost yourself in the pages of a manga, found comfort in your favorite anime, or just want to know what all the fuss is about!”

Students For Justice In Palestine Reims has been organizing events since the beginning of the school year. This new status of student initiative is a “step towards being more official and thus being able to organize even more of these events, especially to coordinate with other initiatives on different campuses”. They plan on “inviting speakers and arranging conferences to inform people on the situation in Palestine (and the link with Sciences Po)”. Additionally, they intend to emphasize Palestinian culture by inviting artists and working with Palestinian exchange students. Despite challenges such as the ongoing disciplinary procedures against 7 Reims campus students, the initiative hopes to “keep shedding light on the Palestinian people.”

My own initiative, the Alive Poets Society, aims to bring bookish engagement to our campus. Throughout the semester, we will be organizing book club meetings, setting up an exchange library, and giving you the chance to go on a blind date with a book! Stay tuned on our Instagram account to keep up with the reading list and seize the day!