At the Faculty of Arts of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice (UPJŠ), the end of the summer semester is usually wrapped up with a friendly working meeting between the Faculty leadership and student representatives. On Monday, 19 May 2025, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Mgr. Renáta Panocová, PhD., met with students in the Historical Hall of the UPJŠ Rectorate.
The Vice-Dean for Education, doc. PhDr. Beáta Ráczová, PhD., presented the most important events of the current academic year. In response to a student comment about the need for secure bicycle and scooter parking on the campus, Bursar of the Faculty, RNDr. Dagmar Hvozdovičová announced that a fenced, locked parking area with camera surveillance will be established near the Sokrates building. Access will be controlled and allowed only with a student card. Students also expressed an interest in creating a relaxation zone in the Platón building (similar to those in other faculty buildings), which would be greatly appreciated. However, narrow hallways in the historical building make it difficult to find a suitable space that would meet safety and evacuation route standards. The faculty leadership emphasized that they are actively searching for an appropriate area within the Platón building. A new relaxation zone is also planned for the Gutenberg faculty library.
The Dean congratulated the Editor-in-Chief of the student magazine Univerzál, Mgr. Timotej Mikloš, for successfully representing the faculty in the prestigious nationwide student journalism competition Štúrovo pero. They agreed that the magazine has become an effective tool for promoting the faculty in Eastern Slovakia and beyond. The faculty leadership also welcomed the revival of the Faculty’s Student Council, which organized a successful “Hollywood” ball at the end of February. Mgr. Dominik Maximov, the student representative of the Faculty of Arts in the Internal Quality Assurance Board (RVK) of UPJŠ, spoke about the Board’s activities and particularly the role of students in the quality assurance process.
A current topic of interest is the evaluation of courses and lecturers (student feedback on teaching) for the summer semester, conducted at the end of the academic year. During the open debate, several key issues were addressed, including lecturers’ approach to students, the significance of the tutor system, matriculation, the Open Day and feedback from prospective students, Erasmus mobilities, and the internal scientific grant system. Additionally, the disappearance of vending machines from the Aristoteles building was discussed – the previous service provider terminated its contract, and the faculty leadership is now in negotiations with potential new providers.
Text: Marián Gladiš, Faculty of Arts, UPJŠ
Photo: Timotej Mikloš, Faculty of Arts, UPJŠ
