Editing Lund University (section)

== Student life ==
[[Image:AF-borgen 2002.jpg|thumb|upright|''[[AF-borgen]],'' the student-run complex at the heart of student life in Lund, May 2002.]]
Lund student life is based on three central structures: the student nations, the Academic Society (AF) and the student unions. Until 1 July 2010, students were required to enroll in a student union, nation and AF in order to receive grades at the university, but this is no longer compulsory.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/11770/a/122528 |title=Frihet och inflytande - kårobligatoriets avskaffande |publisher=Regeringen.se |access-date=2012-04-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110612212853/http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/11770/a/122528 |archive-date=2011-06-12 }}</ref> Students may still enroll in these organizations if they wish.

=== Student nations ===
{{main|List of Lund University nations}}
The [[nations at Swedish universities|nations]] in Lund are a central part of the university's history, initially serving as [[residential college]]s for students, organized by geographic origin. [[Östgöta Nation, Lund|Östgöta Nation]], the oldest nation, was established in 1668, two years after the university was founded. While the nations still offer limited housing, today they are best described as [[student society|student societies]].

Today students may enroll in any nation, although the nations still preserve their geographic names. In most cases, it does not matter what nation one enrolls in, but different nations offer different activities for interested students.

Each nation has student housing, but the accommodations in no way meet demand, and they are usually appointed according to a queue system. Most nations tend to have at least one pub evening per week, with a following night club. The solemn peak event in the course of an activity year is the organization of student balls once a year. Most well known of the nation balls (as opposed to balls organized by student unions) is the ball hosted by Göteborgs Nation - called the "Gustaf II Adolf Ball" (also known as the "GA-Ball"). Most nations also host at least one [[banquet]] per week, where a three-course dinner is served. Each nation also has different activities based on students' interests. All activities within the nations are run by volunteer workers.

=== The Academic Society ===
In 1830, Professor [[Carl Adolph Agardh]] formed ''Akademiska Föreningen'' (The Academic Society), commonly referred to as AF, with the goal of "developing and cultivating the academic life" by bringing students and faculty from all departments and student nations together in one organization. [[Oscar I of Sweden|Prince Oscar]], then Sweden's Chancellor of Education, donated 2000 Kronor to help found the society. In 1848, construction began on ''[[AF-borgen]]'' (the AF Fortress), which is located opposite the [[Lund University main building|Main Building]] in [[Lundagård (park)|Lundagård]]. To this day, AF is the center of student life in Lund, featuring many theater companies, mainly [[Spex (theatre)|spexes]] and [[Lund's Student Theater]], a prize-winning student radio ([[Radio AF]]), and organizing the enormous ''Lundakarnevalen'' (the Lund Carnival) every four years. "AF Bostäder", an independent foundation with close ties to Akademiska Föreningen, maintains over 5,700 student residences in Lund.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.afbostader.se/en/About-AFB/More-about-AFB/History/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714071441/http://www.afbostader.se/en/About-AFB/More-about-AFB/History/|url-status=dead|title=AF Bostäder History|archivedate=July 14, 2008}}</ref>

=== Student unions ===
[[Image:Delphi Panorama2007.jpg|thumb|The Delphi residential area, located in the northern part of Lund, is one of the large student housing complexes run by AF Bostäder.]]
The student unions represent students in various decision-making boards within the university and counsel students regarding their rights, housing and career options. There are nine student unions, one for each faculty and an additional union for doctoral students.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2024 |title=Student Unions |url=https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/student-life/student-organisations/student-unions |access-date=March 23, 2024 |website=Lund University |place=Lund, Sweden}}</ref> [[Lund's Doctoral Student Union]] is further divided into councils, one for each faculty except for the faculties of engineering and fine and performing arts.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120330180431/http://93.182.167.71/nya-af/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/International.Guide_.2010_Web.pdf Studentlund, International Guide 2010]</ref>

The unions are incorporated into the Association of Lund University Student Unions (LUS). It has two full-time representatives who go to weekly meetings with the vice-chancellor and other organizational university bodies. The student union association runs services such as a loan institute, a day-care center and a website with housing information. It also publishes the monthly Lundagård magazine.