From left: Laura Gubler, Mario Fuchs, Luka Vego, Soraya-Tashima Rutschmann, Lena Rheinländer, David Bircher, Noé Freuler, Eduardo Hernandez, Leo Brennauer. Not in the picture: Natasha Sebben and Loris Brasser. Photograph: Regula Bearth © ZHdK
Verso, the Student Council of Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), comprises ten members from all five ZHdK departments. It is the highest student body and deals with all student-related university affairs including admissions, statutory foundations, structural reforms and degree programmes. The Student Council meets every three to four weeks for a longer session. Student councillors also perform additional duties in various committees and departments.
EVA BRÜLLMANN
___
Luka Vego
Student councillor (Infrastructure). Profession/education: Student in the Department of Design, specializing in Industrial Design. At ZHdK since: August 2020. What I like about ZHdK: the unlimited possibilities. When I am not working, I … read, draw, go running. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: Meetings with interesting people. My favourite place in Zurich: Toni-Areal. Verso is important because … it is the voice of students.
___
Natasha Sebben
Student councillor (Studies and Services). Profession/education: Student in the Department of Design, specializing in Game Design. At ZHdK since: September 2019. What I like about ZHdK: the coffee and those who drink coffee with me. When I am not working, I … illustrate and listen to audio books and podcasts. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: more ducks. My favourite place in Zurich: Zurich University Botanical Gardens. Verso is important because … we are committed to student concerns, care about university life, have a say and like ducks.
___
David Bircher
Student councillor and co-president of Verso. Profession/education: Student at the Department of Performing Arts and Film, Master in Dramaturgy. At ZHdK since: August 2016. What I like about ZHdK: the people, the diversity and Chez Toni (including El-Tony Mate). When I am not working, I … play music or eat dried tomatoes. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: Two elephants on the roof terrace. My favourite place in Zurich: Oberer Letten or seminar room 5.F10. Verso is important because … we stand up for students and can hopefully also make a difference.
___
Lena Marie Rheinländer
Student councillor (University policy). Profession/education: Student in the Department of Performing Arts and Film, Bachelor in Film. At ZHdK since: September 2021. What I like about ZHdK: the wide range of opportunities. When I am not working, I … know that I am a good amateur. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: more colour, creative and interdisciplinary exchange to develop new ideas. My favourite place in Zurich: Landiwiese. Verso is important because … without communication, there can be no change.
___
Loris Brasser
Student councillor (Social media). Profession/education: Student at the Department of Fine Arts, Bachelor in Fine Arts. At ZHdK since: February 2018. What I like about ZHdK: book and media loans. When I am not working, I … walk the streets. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: Less bureaucracy — more fun. My favourite place in Zurich: Bullingerhof. Verso is important because … students are the foundation of a university.
___
Soraya-Thashima Rutschmann
Student councillor and co-president of Verso. Profession/education: Student at the Department of Fine Arts, Bachelor in Fine Arts. At ZHdK since: Autumn 2019. What I like about ZHdK: Running into people randomly in the corridors. When I am not working, I … pick flowers. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: colourful walls and more cosiness. My favourite place in Zurich: the hidden steps in Höngg. Verso is important because … it gives students the opportunity to help shape the university.
___
Eduardo Hernandez
Student councillor (Quality assurance). Profession/education: Student at the Department of Music, Master in School Music. At ZHdK since: September 2018. What I like about ZHdK: the golden moments of trust. When I am not working, I enjoy … inhaling the scent of fragrant flowers, barbecuing with friends, seeking the sun or watching the snow from under my snuggly blanket. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: a small petting zoo with stuffed animals. My favourite place in Zurich: My, Mr Toni’s and Mrs Gerold’s garden. Verso is important because … it teaches us to shape society.
___
Laura Gubler
Student councillor (Talent development strategy). Profession/education: Student at the Department of Cultural Analysis, Bachelor in Art Education. At ZHdK since: September 2018. What I like about ZHdK: that it is an inspiring place of exchange and discussion where many things are possible. When I am not working, I … have coffee or brunch in a local café with someone I like. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: more open spaces and meeting places. My favourite place in Zurich: Zurich’s Succulent Plant Collection, the women’s section of Seebad Enge and (almost) everything in Wiedikon. Verso is important because students are the heart of ZHdK and should be allowed to play a decisive role in shaping their place of education.
___
Leo Brennauer
Student councillor (Events and Verso office). Profession/education: Student at the Department of Music, Composition for Film, Theatre and Media; retail professional, trade and commerce specialist. At ZHdK since: September 2019. What I like about ZHdK: The opportunity to work with so many people from different disciplines. When I am not working, I … do sports, travel, hike, go camping, cook, tinker and watch movies. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: a campus. My favourite place in Zurich: the currents in River Limmat. Verso is important because … the university is ultimately about us students, and about our interests and visions. Our voice is therefore essential.
___
Noé Freuler
Student councillor (Communications and marketing). Profession/education: Student at the Department of Cultural Analysis, Master in Art Education. At ZHdK since: 2017. What I like about ZHdK: the roof terrace, the MIZ and the Verso office. When I am not working, I … rearrange my flat, eat good food or head out into nature. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: more love and affection! My favourite place in Zurich: secondhand bookshops. Verso is important because … as students we not only represent the university but can and should also help shape it.
___
Mario Fuchs
Assistant (Verso office). Profession/education: Student at the Department of Design, Bachelor in Cast / Audiovisual Media; journalist, audio editor, service person. At ZHdK since: 2018. What I like about ZHdK: the MIZ basement. When I am not working, I … work on myself and listen to music. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: more people like Franziska Nyffenegger. My favourite place in Zurich: Hönggerberg cemetery. Verso is important because … we need a university that serves people, not the other way around.