The privileged position of SiO (The Students\' Welfare Association), which has so far had a monopoly on offering welfare services to students, is about to change. The Ryssdal Committee\'s for a new act on universities and university colleges recommends compulsive competitive tendering also for welfare services to students. In addition, legal authorities have suggested that student welfare associations in Norway are in conflict with EEA regulations. Rector Arild Underdal says that the first candidate for competitive tendering is likely to be SiO\'s bookshop, which is a pure business enterprise.

Deputy Director General of SiO, Trond Bakke, says that losing income as a result of free market competition in some areas, would affect the other services SiO offers, ultimately threatening the very existence of the association.

Norwegian Graduates Lose Out

The new marking system recently introduced at Norwegian universities will set Norwegian graduates at a disadvantage in other countries, such as the USA. While most students in the USA complete their masters\' degrees with a B or better, the Norwegian marking system is based on making C the average grade. Given that the two systems are – to all appearances – identical, Norwegian graduates are made to appear less able.

While the Ministry of Education is now aiming to inform Norwegian employers of the idiosyncracies of the Norwegian marking system, no attempt will be made to reach employers abroad.