– Huge breach of promise – VG

Less than 30 minutes ago

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On Saturday, the Student Society met in Trondheim to vote on a proposal that Minister of Research and Higher Education Ola Borten Moe (Sp) should resign as Minister.

85 people voted in favor, one against and 16 abstentions. A valid decision on the Society requires a majority and one hundred votes in favor, writes University newspaper.

– There were fewer members present in the hall than we had expected, says leader of the Student Society, Fredrik Akre to VG.

The Minister has announced cuts

The background for the dissatisfaction is that Borten Moe in an interview in Today’s business has announced cuts of «many billions of kroner» in NTNU’s campus project, and what Akre believes are more broken promises to the students.

The campus project aims to gather more of NTNU’s students in a new and larger building. Among other things, the desire is to move the faculties of humanities and social sciences, which are further away, at Dragvoll, to Gløshaugen.

– Huge breach of promise

To Dagens Næringsliv, Ola Borten Moe has stated that the spending of money on new university buildings has “gone over sticks and stones”, and blames the Conservatives.

Akre claims that Borten Moe at several events under the auspices of the Society has expressed that he wants a more ambitious campus project.

– He has also by invitation to the Society before the current election expressed that he wants to support the project further. Now the project is in danger. It is a huge breach of promise, Akre continues.

Akre also refers to other promises he believes Borten Moe has broken, such as the lack of coverage of student housing, that he has not increased his investment in research and that there was no increase in student loans.

– Is it drastic to ask for the minister’s resignation?

– We do not have the opportunity to make no confidence, but it is about that we were promised something in advance of the election. We believe he should now make changes to keep his promises, if not I want another minister, Akre answers.

– The previous government left behind extensive plans

Ola Borten Moe does not want to comment on the allegations of breach of promise, or dissatisfaction with his ministerial post.

About the vote, political advisor for Borten Moe, Signe Bjotveit says:

– I register that the motion for a resolution was not adopted, and it was perhaps just as well since the Storting is the only one who can remove ministers.

– The reason why the ministry has asked NTNU and Statsbygg to study alternatives of smaller scope and price, is that the previous government left behind extensive plans with many large construction projects that were to be realized in a short time. The sum of the projects that have been started – or planned to be started – is too large. Our goal is still to move the activity at Dragvoll down to Gløshaugen, the adviser continues.

Henrik Asheim (H): – Sensational

Former Minister of Research and Higher Education Henrik Asheim answers about the statements:

– It is quite obvious that we must avoid large cost gaps, but to start tearing billions out of an important project that has not yet begun is startling and not least it creates great uncertainty for NTNU.

He says that precisely to avoid cost gaps, the previous government set up a so-called “Design to cost” project on a new campus at NTNU.

– This means that they have received a sum of money that they can use, and if the project costs more then they have to prioritize away something. It is predictable for NTNU, and not least for the Treasury.

NTNU Rector: – Absolute limit

NTNU does not wish to comment on the Student Society’s resolution and voting. Rector Anne Borg is concerned about whether NTNU will be able to achieve the goals of the campus gathering with further cuts in the framework.

– The cost framework from the previous government of NOK 11.8 billion is an absolute limit, without the possibility of exceedances, she answers.

She will discuss the budget changes thoroughly with NTNU’s board.

– We will review the project again and get back to the Minister with what we think is possible, the principal says.

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