“The site is both meant as a way to get help if you want to tweak some buttons to get a better student life, and if you are having a hard time. We wanted to acknowledge that some students do have a hard time – without saying that all students do,” explains Kristina Jørvad.

Students welcome new site

UNIverse features articles in both Danish and English and videos explaining different approaches to taking exams or working in groups, for example. There are also videos where students share their experiences on being a student. At the bottom of each page there is advice on what students can do themselves, as well as links for where to get help at CBS and outside for those who need more help than what is available at the university.

So far, the site has been very well received by students. Mette Gøtterup-Tang received feedback from some of them at the launch event:

“They thanked us for creating a site like this. What is most important for us, however, is not that a lot of people visit the site right away, but that students are aware of it and know that they can find information there,” she says.

Funded with COVID-19 money

UNIverse was created using funds, received by all Danish universities, that were earmarked for improving student wellbeing after the pandemic.

UNIverse has its own graphic profile to distinguish it from my.cbs.dk. “An important aspect for us has been to create a calm interface when there is so much information,” says Beannie Kauling Sloth, one of the driving forces behind the site.

“Some of the money we received went to activities that the students could do here and now, but we had wanted to gather the information on UNIverse for a while, and with this extra money, it became possible,” says Kristina Jørvad.

Kristina Jørvad, Senior Advisor at Student Affairs.

They hope the new site will benefit not only “COVID-19 students” but also generations to come.

“The student videos aim to give students a mirror and show them that other students deal with the same issues. It was important for us that they felt free to speak without a filter and could say things that we, as official representatives of CBS, could not,” says Beannie Kauling Sloth.

An expanding UNIverse

Even though the website was launched on 1 February, it is by no means a static site. It keeps expanding with different topics, and the student affairs consultants already have tons of ideas.

“For instance, we want to write an article on what to do if you are having doubts whether you have chosen the right study programme. We know from experience that in September and October we will hear from a lot of students who wondering whether they have picked the right field, and we will definitely have the information ready by then,” says Mette Gøtterup-Tang.

But Student Guidance Counsellors are not the only ones who can add information to UNIverse. Students who feel that information is missing are encouraged to get in touch with their suggestions.

“The aim is to always put students at the centre to help them create the best possible time at university,” says Kristina Jørvad.

health intranet New students student health Student life UNIverse Wellbeing