New Chair of the Student Union, Māris Lapšovs does not wait for tomorrow and acts immediately

On 1 January, Māris Lapšovs, a third-year student in the study programme Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine was appointed Chairperson of the Student Union at Rīga Stradiņš University. Initially, in the second semester of his first year he was Assistant Chairperson of the Student Union, after that he was elected Head of the Department of Academic Affairs, but now, for a year, he will perform the duties of Chairperson of the Student Union.

Māris Lapšovs in November, 2018. at the Student Union of Latvia Council meeting. Photo from LSA archive

A new year has just begun. What do you expect from 2019?

I hope this year will be a big adventure. In small steps I have reached the highest position in the Student Union, therefore this year will be the last one with me being actively involved. This is something I look forward to with great expectations and optimism, because a new Board has started work with new people who have fresh ideas and the desire to implement them.

Although I'm looking forward to every new year, as it seems to provide a fresh start, I never make so-called new year resolutions. I have no illusions that suddenly, starting from tomorrow, i.e., 1 January, I will start doing things that I have been putting off. It reminds me of an anecdote:  "Starting from tomorrow I'll start running, but each morning I wake up and it's always today.” That's why I live by the principle: "if you want to do something, do it now". You shouldn't wait for tomorrow or for a new year.

Why does the university need the Student Union?

Because the university is primarily a place for students. It's an environment in which we gain knowledge, and if in conjunction with that we can also improve this environment ourselves by explaining how we would like to see it, it is welcomed.

The Student Union also provides extracurricular activities. And these include not only various entertaining events and parties, which is a common misconception. We also organise educational events, for instance, academic and scientific seminars, where we explain in more detail about what our university is, what regulations RSU has and how to plan your time properly. We talk about the most recent developments in the higher education sector at the national level, explain to students how to begin research, what opportunities our university offers etc.

Each university student has the opportunity to become a project manager of a Student Union project, thus gaining skills that aren't always available within the study programme or as part of your future profession, for example, time management skills, team management skills, idea implementation skills etc. The skills gained in the Student Union are useful later, when building your professional career.

The Student Union always has new people with new ideas. Just being in that kind of environment leads one to start seeing the world from a much broader perspective.

 RSU 2018 autumn academic seminar. Māris Lapšovs (third from right)  together with seminar participants, members of the Student Union and RSU  Vice-Rector for Studies (fourth from the right). Photo from Student Union archive. 

Is there anything that the Student Union cannot do or influence?

No, there's not! Of course the Student Union cannot always achieve everything by itself, but it can definitely influence things and processes on all levels – starting from the university level, to the national level. At the national level, student interests are defended by the Student Union of Latvia (LSA), which is our main cooperation partner, thus we can represent the interests of our students at the national level.

RSU management is also open to hearing out and considering student proposals, complaints etc., so I really can't name an area where students, i.e. the Student Union could not exert influence. Sometimes there might be things that need constant reminding in order for them to be implemented, but if you work purposefully you will get results.

What is currently worrying RSU students?

At the undergraduate level, any student dissatisfaction is mostly related to the study process. For example, students are not happy that some things at RSU are not as modern and advanced as elsewhere in Europe. That's because many students take part in the Erasmus programme, study at other universities abroad and return with new ideas and a new perspective on how to organise the study environment. For instance, several students have said that the format of lectures, where students sit in a large auditorium and listen to a lecturer for two academic hours is obsolete, and instead there should be seminars with a smaller number of students. Many students recommend using digital opportunities more extensively, for example, using various mobile applications, mobile tests etc. In a nutshell, the study process should become more attractive and appealing.

This summer for the first time, future RSU residents and the University of Latvia will have a joint enrolment procedure. Representatives from the Student Union have worked on this arrangement since the 2015/2016 academic year, which resulted in a joint enrolment commission for students of both universities.

Last year there was much discussion at the university that the Student Union should achieve greater student involvement in research by making them understand that research is more than just working with archives. This year the university will host Research Week, which will also allow students to prove themselves by organising the international student conference for the fifth consecutive year now, which for the second year in a row the conference will be held over two days. There are plans to integrate Research Week into the RSU study process in order for students, doctoral candidates and residents to learn more about the latest research methods and the so-called live research.

Why did you want to become the Chairperson of the Student Union?

During my freshman year, when I was Assistant Chairperson of the Student Union, I remember watching Natālija Šilova, the Chairperson at the time, at work and I remember thinking that I would not be able to do it, because it's a huge responsibility and so time- and energy-consuming. However, gradually learning about how the processes in the university and the Student Union work, and by gaining experience, I understood that I can contribute to the work of the Student Union.

Until now I've been more of an observer, but last summer I realised that over the course of two years I had formed ideas about what should be changed or improved, and that I can implement those ideas by becoming Chairperson of the Union. Furthermore, the experience I'll gain in this position will be useful for me in the future.

There’s no point to staying quiet when you see things can be improved. You must act! So I decided to apply for this position and do everything in my power, so later I wouldn't have to regret that I didn't try.

How many candidates were there for the Chairperson position this year?

For the first time in many years there were two candidates. The other candidate was Liene Vaivode, who was Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2018. Since the Chairperson position is held by a person who has worked in the Student Union for at least a year, we both know each other and other members know us too. In any case, I perceive my election as a big vote of confidence from the students.

RSU Student Union 2019 Board. Photo from Student Union archive.

What is the first thing you want to do as the new Chairperson?

I want to increase student involvement in the work and activities of the Student Union. In recent years, the number of activists and members has decreased, because students have turned their attention to their academic progress, which can be partly explained by the fact that the environment in the university has significantly improved over the last couple of years, thus the number of urgent problems has decreased. However, it's always nice to see students who have a spark in their eyes, and a desire to work and strive for perfection.

This year there are many foreign students in the Union. And this is the first time foreign students have been elected in the Council. Nine out of 36 Council members are from abroad. Thereby one of the goals for me and my team is to achieve that the university feels like home for them. At the same time it creates a challenge for the Union, because until now the work in the Council was conducted only in Latvian.

Does this mean that from now on, Council meetings will be held both in Latvian and English?

No, the work on the Council will be conducted only in the state language. International students have been informed of this and they're taking it in their stride. Of course when some more complex discussions take place during meetings, Council members translate the key points. Although those international students who are Council members understand some Latvian.

Why did you decide to study medicine?

Partly because my father is a doctor. In my childhood I loved to hear my father's stories about his work. I also like that in the field of medicine, in addition to  the knowledge about the human body, diseases etc., you have to learn to communicate and work with people.

Previously you said that the Chairperson position is very time-consuming and takes a lot of work. How do you manage to combine studying medicine and performing your duties as Chairperson of the Student Union?

Since I’ve been involved in the Student Union since I was a freshman, I'm used to this pace of life. Nevertheless, I have a meticulous schedule - there's time for classes or for studying and preparing for classes, and there is extra-curricular time, which I spend doing all the rest. Therefore one of my best friends, if I might say so, is my planner.

Ten quick questions for Māris Lapšovs

1. Which film would you like to see again?

There are many, but I'll say Limitless from 2011.

2. What is your addiction?

Sleep. Although I love sleeping, usually on a weekday I need five to six hours of sleep, but when it's a busy study or work period, four hours are enough. However, when there are periods with less sleep, I know that at some point I'll have to make more time for sleep.

3. If you were offered to do a parachute jump, would you take that offer?

Yes! It's on my check-list for the future.

4. What would you like to learn?

I really enjoy studying languages. Some time ago I self-taught myself German, didn't finish studying French, although I could order a croissant and coffee in Paris. I would also like to learn Italian, because I really like the country. If someday I'm going to visit Italy, it's going to happen only when I can understand what the Italians are saying.

5. What are you afraid of?

I really hate situations when I cannot decide - should I turn right or left? Then I stop and I hate that moment of waiting, that moment of standing still.

6.  What do you do best?

Improvise.

7.What do you dislike doing?

I really don't like spending time on long synopses and mechanically memorising course content. I always try to understand the subject through the use of logic and to look for patterns.

8. What things in life are worth worrying about?

Last week I happened to read the Latin saying "Memento mori!” – “Remember death!”. When you hear this you shouldn't become depressed. Instead you should remember that you must live and act right in this moment, and that you must not put off your plans or dreams for tomorrow. I believe that you should worry about being lazy and not doing something that you could have done. You should always at least try!

9. What would be the worst betrayal for you?

If a person I trust were to do something that I cannot accept - if I realised that, I cannot trust this person any longer. It's very important for me to be open with my friends, to be able to not pretend.

10. What should a person do to live well?

You should do the things you want to do. For example, you should go to work not only because it pays well, but also because it gives you satisfaction. At the same time you should not misunderstand this and do whatever comes to mind, thus overstepping the generally accepted social norms etc. 

On 1 January, alongside Māris Lapšovs, the following people commenced work on the Board of the Student Union:

• Head of the Department of Academic Affairs Marija Luīze Kalniņa (MF IV)
• Deputy Head of Academic Affairs Aija Tumova (MF II)
• Head of the Department of Social Affairs Anna Jete Gauja (MF II)
• Head of the Department of Science Sintija Kukaine (MF III)
• Head of the Department of Communication Francis Hugo Gulbis (ESF I)
• Deputy Head of the Department of Communication Santa Kliedere (ESF II)
• Head of the Department of Internal Collaboration and Human Resources Ieva Cīrule (ESF II)
• Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs Mārtiņš Danefelds (MF IV)
• Head of the Department of Culture and Sports, Katrīna Freimane (MF II)