Study environment
All students at the University have the right to a good and safe study environment in order to be able to develop and succeed in their studies. On this page, we have gathered important information about the study environment during your studies.
- Good and safe study environment
- How you are expected to contribute to the study environment
- Cheating, disturbance and harassment
- Work environment representative for students
- Alcohol, drugs, doping and tobacco
- Campus safety
- If you do not feel well or are mistreated
- If you need support in your studies
- The University’s work environment management
- The University’s work environment organisation
- More information
Good and safe study environment
The study environment refers to the physical, social and organisational conditions that are important for how you feel and function in your study situation. All students at Halmstad University have the right to a good study environment.
The words study environment and work environment are used to describe the same thing. The Work Environment Act uses the term work environment and many of the requirements imposed on workplaces also apply to those who are studying (see the Work Environment Act, Chapter 1, Section 3).
The University’s policy for work environment and equal opportunities describes that Halmstad University shall be characterised by a study environment where:
- We work together for an inclusive university that is characterised by responsiveness, participation, openness, collaboration and respect for, and trust in, the individual
- We support and encourage each other in strengthening our skills, involving each other and working together towards common goals
- Zero tolerance applies to harassment, sexual harassment, victimisation and reprisals, and we work with active measures to prevent discrimination
- Our physical work environment is safe and accessible and designed in a way that stimulates meetings, participation and inspiration
How you are expected to contribute to the study environment
Although the responsibility for the study environment ultimately lies with the University, students and staff have a joint responsibility to ensure that we have a good study and work environment.
We have a shared responsibility to keep our premises nice and pleasant. This applies not least to our workshops and labs, where procedures and requirements for protective equipment must be followed.
Both students and staff are expected to show respect towards everyone at the University and through their actions contribute to an inclusive and equal study environment free from bullying and all forms of harassment.
As a student, you can contribute to a good study environment by:
- being involved and contributing to good and interesting conversations in the classroom
- recognising the good efforts of others
- showing consideration for your fellow students
- making suggestions for improvement about the study environment, for example to your programme director or teacher.
Cheating, disturbance and harassment
The Higher Education Ordinance contains rules that apply to students and clarify what is not okay and has a direct negative impact on the study environment. Violating these may result in a warning or suspension.
- You must not use unauthorised aids or in any other way attempt to deceive during examinations or when a study performance is otherwise to be assessed
- you must not interfere with or hinder teaching, examinations or other activities within the framework of the education at the University
- you must not disturb the activities of the University Library or other special institution within the University
- you may not subject another student or an employee at the University to harassment or sexual harassment as referred to in Chapter 1, Section 4 of the Discrimination Act (2008:567).
Work environment representative for students
The student work environment representatives are appointed by Halmstad Student Union and are students’ representatives in matters relating to the study environment. They listen to the opinions of students and are also involved in the planning and inspection of the study environment.
Contact the Student Union if you want to get involved in the study environment work at the University, or to get in touch with your student work environment representative to raise issues related to your study environment.
Halmstad Student Union
External link.
Alcohol, drugs, doping and tobacco
On campus, special rules apply to alcohol, drugs, doping and tobacco. As a student, you are not allowed to handle or be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs in study contexts. If you feel that you have problems, you can get guidance and advice from the Student Healthcare Centre.
Campus safety
For your own safety and the safety of others, it is important that you know what applies in the event of fire, evacuation, attacks and any other threatening situations. It is also good to know where our defibrillators are located.
If you do not feel well or are mistreated
If you feel bad or if you are a victim of discrimination, harassment or bullying, you should talk to someone you trust. For example, it can be your teacher, programme director, the Student Healthcare Centre, the student work environment representative, the Student Union or the ombud for students and PhD students.
Whom you choose to contact is less important, the important thing is that you contact someone who in turn can help you further if needed.
Student work environment representative External link.
Ombud for students and PhD students
Harassment, victimisation and bullying
If you need support in your studies
Your study situation and how well you succeed in your studies is an important part of your social study environment. On the page Study support you can read about the support you can get at the University, as well as get tips on study techniques and other things related to your study situation.
The University’s work environment management
The University inspects, analyses, remedies and continuously follows up on work environment conditions and thus creates the conditions for a good study environment free from ill health and accidents.
The University works continuously with the work environment, for example through work environment rounds on the premises and through surveys to, and conversations with, students and doctoral students.
The University’s work environment organisation
The University has a central work environment committee (CAMK) that works with university-wide issues linked to students’ and staff’s study and work environment. At the School level, the local work environment committee (LAMK) has a similar task.
The Student Committee is a committee of the central work environment committee. Here, challenges and improvements linked to the study environment of students and doctoral students are discussed and prepared. The committee also works practically with the development and anchoring of policies, procedures and information relating to the study environment.
In the committees, students are represented via the student work environment representative and the ombud for students and PhD students. These are appointed by the Student Union.
The University’s Vice-Chancellor has the ultimate responsibility for the work and study environment, and that it lives up to the requirements of legislation. Concrete tasks in the work environment management are then distributed to different roles at the University.
More information
Via the University’s document archive, you can search for official documents of various kinds, such as decisions and policies.
