Universities involved in the mass-immigration referendum

February 9th, 2014, Swiss voters approved a referendum aimed at Switzerland restricting immigration. It is the measure of the free movement of people, which is one of the principles of the European Union could also contradict the principle, the EU has suspended all negotiations with Switzerland in the current crisis to be resolved.

Since that decision for students and researchers will have a serious negative impact on Switzerland will no longer be + and Horizon Erasmus student exchange programs and research funding in 2020 to be a part of the upcoming school year.

However, the Swiss higher education community more problems could develop as a result of the referendum, according to its implementation.

The aforementioned programs around these problems were not because of the negotiations between the EU and Switzerland will be completed before the referendum took place. The EU is the free movement of people is a condition for the extension of the new EU members and Croatia Erasmus + Horizon 2020 treaty is signed.

The Swiss government has decided to sign up after the vote goes against the expansion of the referendum. Therefore, the EU has effectively put the negotiations on hold and Switzerland will probably not both be part of the program next year.

Both the exchange and research programs are regularly renewed by the European Union. Switzerland, like EU membership, to be a member of the programs separately.

Switzerland, from 2011 to 2013 he was a member of the Erasmus student exchange program.

Erasmus program has three components that facilitate abroad. First, study programs, student exchanges between the governing agreements between the university is providing a legal framework. Second, Erasmus + members, EU funding costs in the universities. And third, it provides scholarships for exchange students, which leads to a significant portion of the expenses of his life abroad.

In the coming academic year, Switzerland will not be a member of the Erasmus +. Will still be able to take part in the scheme, but the whole program to fund both the outgoing and incoming foreign students independently. The Swiss government is currently drafting a funding plan to ensure the participation of Switzerland.

Insecurity is everywhere

Students of the urgent problem of insecurity that have occurred since the referendum.

Since the EU decided to put on hold all negotiations with Switzerland, it is still unclear, the incoming and outgoing students should be funded or not, and whether they will receive scholarships Erasmus +.

Moreover, for a long time, it was unclear if it will continue to support European university students in Switzerland. This problem looks like the decision, however, a serious concern in some universities or university alliances between the end will end today.

Erasmus exchange semester planned well in advance, since they doubt that students can take part in the program in the 2014-15 academic year to the poor.

Applications are to be handed in at the end of February. After the confirmation of their studies, students have a place to sleep and to find money to finance their studies abroad.

The current uncertainty, many are unable to do all of these tasks. And neither universities nor the government time to inform students, in fact, the situation is still unclear what the outcome will be because of the issues.

Erasmus + but also, not only in negotiations with Horizon 2020, are on hold. The research program provides financial support for international research projects.

Without affiliation project, Switzerland will not be a part of a research consortium proposes to act as Horizon 2020 under the auspices of the planned projects may need to be canceled or delayed issues. At least not to the Marie Curie fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality.

This is a very internationalized Swiss research projects can have devastating consequences.

Long-term problems

Negotiations, which are currently on hold, but also the question: what long-term impact of the referendum will have on education?

Fortunately, today's relations with Switzerland in the European crisis can be solved, and the Horizon 2020 and in 2015 became a member of the Erasmus Switzerland again.

It is important to understand that there is no clear path to a referendum to determine the actual effects of its implementation are yet to be written to define the law. While the referendum that is not compatible with all international treaties in the interests of the economy that keeps demanding the termination of the immigration fees.

This can leave the fees and would permit the free movement of people up. If this is in fact achieved, Switzerland is likely to be one of the Erasmus + and into the Horizon 2020 program.

How the referendum will be conducted within the framework of the law students will again be crucial: Swiss immigration quotas in higher education accessible to all who are willing to come to Switzerland to take part in a program that might affect students.

Swiss student's union strongly believes that the principle of the country of choice for students in their studies, and without being able to be an obstacle to immigration barriers. We will stay alert to the issue and to continue the struggle for the rights of our students.

* Lea Meister, Melanie Glared Dominica Faze and members of the executive board and president, respectively, of the Swiss trade union VSS-UNES-USU students, and Erasmus + and students are working on migration issues.