CRITICIZES UIB-MONITORINGThe University of Bergen (UiB)
warns all of its more than 16.000 students that they may be reported to
one or more authorities. Every term, students have to sign up for exams
via UiB's service StudentWeb. This service will from now carry a
warning that certain data may be used for intelligence purposes. The
Data Inspectorate is skeptical to UiB's attitude and reckons students
will be afraid rather than gaining a sense of security. – UiB has to
tell what types of data they hand over and to who they they hand it
over to, says Ove Skaara from the Data Inspectorate. UiB's headmistress
Kirsti Koch Christensen agrees that the information StudentWeb provides
isn't good enough. - I realize that the message to students is unclear.
The Data Inspectorate might comment, and if they do so we have to look
into the matter, she says. Koch Christensen also admits that UiB hasn't
handled this case well enough, but she won't apologize. HARASSMENT FROM MARCHING BANDSThe
now traditional feud between Bergen's marching, drumming bands
(buekorps) and students continues. The site buekorpsforum.com warns
that students may be reported to police for bombarding youngsters with
«expensive food». Especially students from the eastern parts of Norway
have come under fire on this site. Stig Høisæther, who usually speaks
for students in housing matters, has taken shots in the other direction
in this matter. STUDENTS WANT TO BE HOMEOWNERSDespite
prices hitting record hights, more and more students purchase a place
to live. The advice on what to do is not consistent. Terje Hansen, who
teaches personal finance at The Norwegian School of Economics and
Business Administration, (NHH) points to the risk of loss when owning a
property for only a few years. He warns that prices may fall if
interest rates rise. However, his colleague Knut Boye takes a somewhat
different stand: -If you are sure you want to stay in Bergen for some
time, I'd recommend a purchase, he says. Boye's main arguments are tax
cuts and benefits in the long run. Students are often tempted to buy by
low interest rates and frequently get financial assistance from
parents, enabling them to service large mortgages.
ALEXANDER KEMP
21.04.04
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