Questions about SöderS student union membership and Mecenat card
On this page we have gathered the most common questions about union membership and the SöderS Mecenat card (also known as the SöderS card).
If you have another question or a unique query regarding your union membership or Mecenat card that is not listed here, please do not hesitate to contact us, and we'll help you!
FAQ about union membership
Am I a member?
You are not automatically a member of the student union if you are a student at Södertörn University. To become a member, you need to pay a membership fee.
The Mecenat card serves as proof of membership in SöderS. Students who are not members of the student union only have a standard white Mecenat card. Students who are members have our special design (which varies depending on the semester) and our logo on the card.
This is the design for the SöderS Patron Card, HT26.
What member benefits are there?
We have many member benefits for you who study at Södertörn University and are a union member. We have gathered all of these here –>
The most popular and appreciated member benefits are access to SSSB's student housing queue, half priceish the full menu at SöderS Pub, the opportunity to receive a stipend for duties as a student representative, and the opportunity to earn credit points for studies abroad through involvement with the student union or student societies.
Why does SSSB say I’m not a member?
It always takes a couple of days before the union membership is synchronised with SSSB. If it has taken more than 7 days, you are more than welcome to contact us via info@soders.nu.
If it takes a very long time, it may be due to issues between your details as a union member and your details in Ladok – for example, you might have different personal identity numbers or email addresses registered, or you may not exist in Ladok's system. We are more than happy to help you look into the matter!
A person should be able to accumulate queue days without being a union member for 90 days before their queue points are frozen.
I’d like to become a member, but I don’t have a personal identity number. What should I do?
If you are an incoming student, you first of all need to obtain a T-number (temporary personal identity number) via the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). With a T-number, you can become a member of the student union, and a T-number is usually valid for one year from the date of issue. If you are studying in Sweden for more than a year, you may therefore need to apply for a standard personal identity number. See the question above for more information on how we update personal identity numbers in our databases.
Sometimes Södertörns högskola helps with obtaining personal T-number for incoming students. If you are unsure about what to do, contact info@sh.se or international@sh.se
What do I do if I have updated my personal identity number?
If you have updated your personal identity number, for example if you are changing from a T-number (temporary personal identity number) to a regular personal identity number, you need to email a population register certificate (personbevis) from the Swedish Tax Agency showing your new personal identity number to Ladok (ladok@sh.seFrom there, your new details will be updated in our member system.
If you have updated your personal identity number for any other reason and the change has not been reflected in your student union membership, please feel free to email us a copy of your personal identity certificate at info@soders.nu.
I need student accommodation, how do I go about it?
There are several ways to apply for student accommodation. As a student union, we work in partnership with, amongst others, the local provider Huge (student accommodation in Flemingsberg/Huddinge). On their website you can register and express interest in available housing, but you can also find their adverts via, among other things, Housing agency.
As a student union member, you can also apply for housing through SSSB (Stockholm Student Housing) via queue points, and you can accumulate queue points for 90 days until SSSB requires you to link your student union membership.
FAQ about the Mecenat Card
How do I get the Mecenat card?
The general student Mecenat card is sent out automatically to university students after the start of term. If you wish to receive your Mecenat card earlier, you can order one via Mecenat.
SöderS Mecenat card
To obtain the SöderS Mecenat Card, you must be a member of the student union and be registered as a student at Södertörn University. The card will be sent to you automatically as soon as you are registered as a student union member and enrolled on a course via Ladok in our member portal.
When will I receive my Mecenat card?
The Mecenat card is sent out approximately two weeks after the start of the term to all students at Södertörn University.
If you have not received your SöderS-Mecenat card, it may be because your details are missing from our system. To fix this, you can send your certificate of registration to info@soders.nu.
Can I get a physical Mecenat card?
From 2024, Mecenat will no longer issue physical cards.
How do I get a travel discount for SL on my Mecenat card?
If you are enrolled on a course worth at least 22.5 higher education credits (75 %) during a single term, you are entitled to purchase an SL card with a student discount. This also applies to receiving a travel discount with the SöderS card.
When travelling on a discounted SL ticket, you need to be able to show your Mecenat card or other valid student ID. Here you can read more about senior and student discounts with SL.
I am a PhD student, how do I get a travel discount?
As a doctoral student at Södertörn University, you are entitled to a Mecenatkort with an active SL log. To activate it, you need to submit your details and a registration/employment certificate confirming that you are a doctoral student via the form on this page.
When can I use my SöderS Mecenat card?
With the SöderS card, you can get travel discounts with SL (if the card has an active SL logo), you can get student discounts in the SöderS Pub and in Allé Elva/Prego, and you can show proof of union membership during events and other activities that require this or offer student union discounts.