A deserted law school: not a professor, not a student. Only a few administrative staff members are present. It was at the beginning of September. Not a whisper, far from the usual hustle and bustle, the law campus is on holiday. You enter the main block, climb one floor, then two… At the end of the corridor, a door is open. A lively discussion finally brings life to the university. About ten students with assured voices and sincere determination: they are preparing the academic year for FAC+, the Federation of Associations and Culture Plus. Reflections, arguments, proposals, the new office of the Nice student federation is at work. At the head of these holiday rebels is Romain Giraud, who has agreed to answer questions from Nice-Première.
Nice-Première: The student return is approaching, it’s also the start for student associations. How were the holidays and what will be new at FAC+?
Romain Giraud: 
The summer has been a bit eventful for the Federation of Associations and Culture Plus. The year 2005/2006 was filled with actions and the organization of exceptional events for a young federation like ours, barely two years old. The summer was marked by the establishment of a new office, a completely renewed team, to establish an assessment and target perspectives. We had to reconnect with the associations that were part of the student federation and explain the projects of the new team. We organized a General Assembly at the end of August. The board of FAC+ is now composed of nine members, ten project managers, and Armel Olou, a former president who became honorary president.
So we can’t really talk about holidays this summer for FAC+!
NP: Can you explain the exact role of a student federation on French campuses and the specifics of FAC+ here at the University Nice Sophia Antipolis?
RG: We help student associations. FAC+ is above all a network within UNSA, and we ensure a link between all the associations spread across all faculties. In summary, an association has a project. They inform us about it, and we provide them with partners, our organizational experience, and financial support. If an association organizes a party, FAC+ covers the entire financing and then reallocates a third of the profits to them.
I want to clarify and emphasize that we are an apolitical federation. There are student unions, and we are sometimes in contact with them but never get involved politically. We defend the interests of all students, and everyone can turn to us. Our doors are open to anyone facing difficulties, whether academic or administrative. A federation should strengthen ties between student communities to ensure none remain isolated on their campus. It operates wherever there are students, including in university residences. It attempts, with all the resources at its disposal, to develop everything related to the student community in a city. It should help anyone with administrative issues and ensure a permanent link between the administration and the student. Then there is the visible side of the federative iceberg: organizing festivities and also events for preventive purposes.
NP: How is Fac+ organized? How many Corpos does it include?
RG: We created a triumvirate. Adrien is president of FAC+ Student Life (Permanent action within University Residences with a presence at CROUS and CEVU, developing associative projects, supporting students in their steps, developing links through an associative network). Grégory is president of FAC+ Events (Organizing events for festive, cultural, and preventive purposes: student parties, concerts, debate cafes, forums…). FAC+ Events is a novelty for this return. We wanted to better distribute the roles. And then Romain Giraud, president of all this… I try to answer as best I can the question: what can a Federation bring more than student associations?
FAC+ includes three corpos: Corpo Droit Eco AES, AEM TC, Amnesia.
NP: There is another Student Federation: FACE. What distinguishes it from you? Is a merger possible in the coming months?
RG: FAC+ is present everywhere except in Medicine where FACE is very present. When FAC+ was created three years ago, the goal was to fill the gaps. It was reproached to FACE to focus mainly on events. There exists a slight competition between us, but it is fair. Student interest must come first. A merger between FACE and FAC+? No. But on certain actions, collaboration is possible or even recommended. Why not have joint parties or even a big end-of-year gala? Our door is open to FAC+.
NP: Let’s talk money… How is Fac+ financed?
RG: The federation is financed through private and public funds with a grant from the General Council of the Alpes Maritimes. The MEP also helps us. NRJ offers us advertising spots to announce parties. The membership fee to join FAC+ is 35€ per association, and individual students can contribute 10€ to support FAC+’s activities. We start the year with nothing. We make advances for leaflets to promote the federation for the academic year.
Then, the parties allow us to bring in money. To organize a party in a nightclub like the Open Cocktail on Thursday, September 28 at the minimal, FAC+ has to spend 8000€. To break even, we need to fill the venue, hope for t-shirt sales inside, and bottle purchases. To attract people, we need to innovate so that a student party in a nightclub doesn’t resemble a traditional Saturday night out. We need to bring a student dynamic.
NP: Do you play a role in student issues: housing, orientation, road safety, and disease prevention?
RG: We must. It’s a duty. For housing, in the first week of October, we will conduct a survey in University Residences to list all the problems. Regarding orientation, associations within their faculty with their own initiatives, which we will support, can take action. And then, as with any problem, our door remains open. We can answer all questions, and if we can’t, we will look for the person who has the answer.
At parties, we emphasize prevention. We provide breathalyzers. We hold people not fit to drive. We put up posters. Last year we arranged buses to go to and from the parties. We will do the same this year, but not yet for next Thursday’s party. It is our role to act in collaboration with the MEP for AIDS awareness and prevention by distributing condoms. We will try from Thursday to address the drug issue in nightclub parties. Today, many girls fear going clubbing or drinking, fearing that their drinks will be spiked. That’s the current scourge.
NP: What can we wish for you this academic year?
RG: Happiness! An awareness of the usefulness of FAC+ to students but especially to the university administration. We hope to organize a big end-of-year gala with the official awarding of diplomas and a high-class evening. There are galas in many university towns in France but not in Nice. It’s a gap that needs filling. It would be a plus for the UNSA.
