From Greek crisis to a “SASSE in light”: An interview with Filip Avgeris

Referring to himself as “SASSE-boy”, Filip Avgeris recommended that we would have our interview outside SSE’s large oak doors, and I must admit that I like his choice. As we discuss his thoughts on both SASSE and SSE in general, no other place seems more appropriate.

An international student who was born in Sweden, Filip first tells me his story. He spent his early upbringing like your stereotypical SSE-student, in a large apartment in Östermalm. But he moved with his family to Greece in 2009, just months before the country’s famous financial crisis. “I’ve learned how to handle crisis” is therefore a statement he doesn’t say lightly. When his classmates couldn’t afford schoolbooks a few years later, he made a push for everyone to get the necessary materials, since he believes everyone deserves the same opportunities. It’s this mindset that he now wants to bring to the SASSE presidency.

But Filip’s motivation for joining the presidential race was “mainly that the school has done some mistakes”: The first mistake he mentions is the school’s removal of the bachelor graduation dinner. For the uninitiated, Filip explains that the dinner has previously been hosted by the school for 114 years but was now pushed onto SASSE, constraining the budget demands.

Another issue he raises is the school’s unequal treatment of international students. As an example, he points to the disciplinary committee only handling cases in Swedish. He also criticizes the lack of student representation when appealing against a ruling from the school.

Going back to the master students, Filip believes SASSE can do more to increase its appeal.

He tells me of his “master engagement process”, a system which could check if there are enough projects that appeal to master students. Implementing this system would be his first move as president.

Filip has some other concerns for SASSE as well. One is the amount of revenue growth. In a call with a previous SASSE president, Filip learned that SASSE hasn’t seen significant revenue growth in the last 15 years. He emphasizes that finding new way to bring in revenue is one of his election promises since it is crucial for SASSE’s ability to finance new projects

Another concern is the low participation of third year and exchange students. Filip tells me that he attended the exchange banquet to raise awareness of the exchange students’ right to vote, since many aren’t aware of this. “And if they’re voting, why not vote for me?” he adds jokingly.

Filip has gone all out on this campaign, even creating a running song. “SASSE in light” is his adaption of the beloved “Stad i ljus”, which he always stays until in the Rotunda for. He even has a plan for his victory celebration, taking inspiration from “another Balkan guy with a great achievement”: Novak Djokovic and his Wimbledon win. Pointing to a patch of grass next to where we are standing, he says: “I’m definitely gonna eat grass to celebrate our victory”.

Behind an eccentric exterior is a candidate with tangible plans for both SASSE and SSE in general. Directing critique both towards the school and the organization could be the strategy that fulfills what Filip says SASSE stands for: “So, Avgeris shall shine eventually”.