Sune Koch Rønnow began studying theology in 2008, switched to classical archaeology in 2010 and is now taking a supplementary subject in mathematics. He could have completed his Bachelor last summer, but hopes to have it done within a year.

Consequently, he is one of the students who raise the average completion time. One of those that the study progress reform aims to hurry along. But he will not rush. Rønnow insists part of his education involves the opportunity to immerse himself in more than just a syllabus.

"I need more than that and I need to search for it independently. For me, an important part of self-development is the actual process of searching for challenges."

Not everything has to be planned in advance

He has found some of these challenges in student politics in the Student Council. In addition, he has looked into quantum physics, French philosophers and political works in his spare time. Because they interest him.

"I don’t acknowledge the premise that there must be a plan with everything. There does not need to be a good reason for self-development. What’s special about being part of a university environment is that you have unique opportunities to meet people with other skills and disciplines than yourself. That’s a huge opportunity scientifically.”

Financial consequences

As his involvement in student politics has taken up more and more of his time, Rønnow has reduced his study activity. All the time knowing full well that he would be complete his studies with around a two year delay – and that this would have financial consequences.

"I'm alright with that. I’m going to end up using all my monthly SU grants and my completion loan, so I’ll have to work during the final part of my studies. But I will make sure I find a job that’s meaningful and I will manage. Of course it’ll affect my total lifetime earnings with me finishing my studies later, but that’s not really important to me. Neither do I think it will be of importance in relation to finding a job after graduation, because what people look at is whether there’s an explanation for the delay," he says.

An hereditary predisposition?

Despite the political aversion shown towards slow students, he has not run into many raised eyebrows caused by his delay during his studies.

"I’ve not experienced antipathy. More that others have other priorities for themselves. But most people show some understanding when I tell them about why my studies are delayed."

The same is true at home. Sune Koch Rønnow’s parents also took their time with their own studies. His father studied classical philology for 11 years, while his mother studied theology for 9½ years, including a maternity leave.

"They asked whether I would be able to make ends meet. But otherwise they think it’s alright, so long as it’s meaningful."

Teased by the rector

He has, however, received a comment along the way. From the rector no less. As chair of the Student Council, he takes part in a number of meetings with the university's management. It was at one of these meetings that the rector could not stop himself from commenting the student council chairman’s delay in his studies.

"He said something about the students having to complete their studies quicker – and then he looked at me and said: you too Sune," laughs Sune Koch Rønnow.

Doesn’t buy into the reform

For the university management, the students’ delays in completing their degree programmes have serious consequences. Not least because the study progress reform requires AU to annually reduce the students' total study completion time, so that by 2020 it has been reduced by 4.7 months. Failure to reach this target triggers a fine for the university of millions of Danish kroner. In fact, AU has just triggered the first fine of DKK 20 million.

Not surprisingly, Rønnow strongly opposes the reform. He also does not believe the politicians’ argument that students must hurry to complete their degree programme so they can enter the labour market faster and contribute to the national economy.

"I can understand that some students have got bogged down and become stuck writing their Master’s thesis or got stuck in the university world for too long and that they need some help to move on. But this reform doesn’t help those students. As for the macroeconomic analysis that lies to ground for the reform, and which states that we students must get out into the labour market quicker and contribute to society, I don’t buy into that at all. My parents have paid more than enough back to society. Plus many of the politicians behind the reform also have taken a long time completing their studies, so why not do as you preach first.”

Now the student politician is getting warmed up:

"There’s no need for students to work faster. The unemployment rate for graduates is high and it’s cheaper to give me a student grant than it is to pay me unemployment benefits. What we really need is to have us students graduate with the best possible education."

On the other hand

Having said that, after his 7½ years and counting at AU, he is looking forward to getting out and making use of what he has learned.

"In the past it’s seemed very distant for me, but now that it’s come closer, I can see why it’s worth aiming for."

Translated by Peter Lambourne