February 22, 2025
Ólöf Bjarki Antons and Atli María Kjeld, political scientists and former students of Silja Bára, write
Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir is running for rector of the University of Iceland. She has played various roles in our lives, teacher, mentor, boss and friend. What drew us to her as queer activists was her focus on inclusion, both at the university and in society at large. We, who are both transgender, felt how welcome we were in her classroom from day one. In her eyes, we were not stuck in a rut as two of a handful of transgender students in a school of 14,000 students. Instead, she took us for granted as part of the school community. Silja cares that people from all walks of life have access to education and feel that they belong within the walls of the school. Instead of allowing uniformity to prevail within the university community, she has emphasized elevating marginalized voices and giving them a platform. In doing so, she promotes equality, which is one of the main focuses of her rectorship candidacy.
In all the roles that Silja Bára has played in our lives, she has been both accessible and solution-oriented. It doesn't matter what problems we present to her, she is always willing to help us through them. She listens, advises and supports. Silja Bára acts as a driving force to tackle difficult tasks and makes them surmountable.
Silja Bára is therefore committed to strengthening psychological and social counseling for students, which is urgently needed. Last school year, there were only two full-time psychologists at the University of Iceland when there were more than 14,000 students. This does not meet demand. A 2017 study of university students in Iceland showed that over 34% of students had clinical symptoms of depression and almost 20% had anxiety symptoms (Andri Hauksteinn Oddsson, 2017). In the eight years since the study was conducted, the mental health of Icelanders has deteriorated, so it can be concluded that the numbers have increased. Private psychological services are a cost that many students cannot afford, as a large proportion of them do not have much on their hands. Students should not have to choose between mental health and education. Increased psychological and social counseling for students is therefore an issue of accessibility.
Better opportunities for distance learning within the university is another accessibility issue that Silja Bára is concerned about. The University of Iceland should be a university for everyone. Including those who do not live in the capital area or those who cannot attend on-site due to family circumstances, employment or disability. When distance learning is an option, more people see it as possible to study.
We believe that Silja Bára, as Rector of the University of Iceland, will do great things and lead the university with true artistry. Therefore, we strongly encourage the staff and students of the University of Iceland to elect Silja Bára as Rector of the University of Iceland.
