What is SAMO?
Each student division has a SAMO (Student safety representative), who is responsible for work environment issues for students in the programmes connected to the student division. SAMOs ensure a good physical and psychosocial work environment for students and work to ensure that everyone feels well throughout their studies, both physically and mentally, and has a well-functioning study situation.
If there are issues with facilities, problematic lecturers, or unsustainable study situations, you can contact your SAMO, who will bring these concerns to the university. Throughout the year, SAMOs also participate in various inspections that evaluate the work environment in collaboration with the university, covering physical as well as organisational and social work environment aspects. They have a statutory right to represent students in work environment matters that affect them. You can read more about Chalmers’ systematic work environment management here.
SAMOs are also available to help you regarding who to contact if you feel exposed or are struggling with your study situation. Regardless of the issue related to your work environment, you can turn to your SAMO for support and advice on what resources are available to you.
What does a SAMO do?
The role of a SAMO may vary slightly between student divisions, but common tasks include:
- Representing students’ views during work environment inspections and in meetings with programme directors
- Collecting and conveying students’ opinions on the work environment to the university
- Guiding students on what support resources they are entitled to as students at Chalmers
SAMOs also maintain regular contact with the Student Welfare Officer (SO) at the Student Union, who is also the Head Student Safety Representative at Chalmers.
How do I contact SAMO?
The easiest way may vary between student divisions, but all SAMOs have an email address, usually available on the division’s website. Links to the different student divisions can also be found at the bottom of the website’s front page.
Get involved as a SAMO!
Do you want to work with and influence the work environment in your student division, build networks, and raise the student voice towards the university? Then you might be a good fit for the SAMO role of your student division!
Each student division is responsible for its own SAMO, who is elected at the student division meeting. The term length may vary between student divisions. If you are interested, contact your SAMO or student division board to learn how it works in your student division.
This assignment requires Swedish proficiency