2021-2022

Fellowships

We were involved in a crucial push to advance a planned increase in PhD fellowships and increase post-doctoral fellowships. Together with other students, we held many meetings with the Feinberg Graduate School to express student concerns regarding the cost of living, in particular with regards to rising childcare, rent, and food expenses. We also distributed several petitions and a cost of living survey to students, the results of which we presented at these meetings. Finally, we protested by actively boycotting on-campus restaurants when San Martin increased the meal costs without a corresponding increase in fellowships. Our results paid off in July 2022 when we received the following email from the Feinberg Graduate School:

On-campus dining

We started the Maharaja service as an alternative food option on campus and pushed Karnaf to address their food availability issues. Moreover, we frequently talk to the restaurants division to address students' complaints. In particular, lately we've been working on improving the availability and quality of vegan dishes and demanding allergen labels.

Counseling services

We advocated for reforms in the counseling services, including student privacy and group therapy sessions. We succeeded in increasing the number of subsidized individual therapy sessions from 15 to 30. In addition, we started an informal therapy group and held a lecture about suicide awareness and prevention. 

Environment/sustainability

In part due to advocacy by the student council, the institute created the new Sustainability Office, which so far has implemented package recycling and biodegradable food containers. In addition, we helped start the Weizmann Green Forum (see clubs section!), a student group that continues to advocate for green practices and sustainability education.

Sports

We secured funding for and organized Weizmann’s participation in the 2022 ASA games, where Weizmann students won several medals!

Clubs

In addition to helping start several clubs (kayaking, surfing, movie nights - see clubs list), we now secured funding for a new system by which any club will be able to request a budget directly from us. Stay tuned for an announcement!

Diversity/inclusion

Together with the LGBTQ Association, we advocated for gender-neutral bathrooms in every building, which the institute is planning to implement. 

Animals

We contributed in supporting the well-being of on-campus animals, and informed about the possibility of having certified emotional support animals at work.

Miscellaneous

To help international students integrate in Israel, we subsidized textbooks for those attending the Weizmann Hebrew courses. We also held lectures about pensions and savings.