The student wing for Moviment Graffitti has condemned the “hyper-consumerist environment” at this year’s KSU Freshers’ Week.

The organisation noted that a very clear “business over students” approach was taken at this year’s event, which is primarily aimed at welcoming students to the university. 

“It is abundantly clear that this week’s KSU Freshers’ Week was turned into a platform for big companies to sell their brand and create a hyper-consumerist environment on the University Quad,” Studenti Graffitti said in a press statement.

“The lack of investment in student organisations was apparent due to the fact that student organisations were only given two small tents away from the main area, and the facilities provided were sub-par to those given to the companies.”

“This meant that the Quadrangle and all central areas, which are meant to be student-dedicated spaces were deprived of student-led activity and displays.”

Studenti Graffitti also said that KSU’s decision to host companies and corporations on Quad falls in line with more recent Freshers’ Week, “which has been actively pushing away student organisations from the heart of the university for decades”.

“This is a sorry state of affairs since students, particularly those wishing to engage in student affairs, should be at the forefront of this week.”

“Along with the private endeavour of the university student residence – Campus Hub – by the University of Malta, there are many clear indications that the university’s primary ethos has become consumerism, not the rich academic experience and social conscience that such an educational institution has to provide.”

It also referred to the money-grabbing activity which was held at Campus Hub by Freehour, saying that this incident only further highlighted these problems. 

The organisation concluded by demanding that in future years, the week should be led by students for students.

“What was once a time for freshers to meet fellow students, and organisations and familiarise themselves with the University has been turned into a week-long market.”

“Studenti Graffitti demands that the respective institutions revise the layout of the KSU Freshers’ Week by consulting all relevant organisations, students and entities.”

Do you agree with the organisation’s demands?