The Story ofMorgana & O.R.U.M.
Over twenty years of student advocacy, cultural festivals, and concrete victories at the University of Messina.
A Story Rooted in Time
Rooted in over twenty years of active presence in the university faculties, weaving together authentic generational struggles, civic dedication, and passionate student advocacy.
The union between Associazione O.R.U.M. (founded in 2002) and Associazione Morgana (founded in 2012) represents the strongest and most enduring student advocacy alliance in Messina. A synergistic pact born to guarantee students an independent, authoritative, and steadfast voice in every campus, department, and collegiate governing body.
From safeguarding ERSU scholarships and student housing to creating study spaces, night libraries, and landmark cultural events like Piazza dell'Arte, our joint path continues to shape university life across all campuses in Messina.
Associazione O.R.U.M.
Founded in 2002, O.R.U.M. (Organizzazione Rappresentanza Universitaria Messinese) was established across the scientific, technological, and medical campuses of Ganzirri, Polo Papardo, and the Policlinico Universitario 'Gaetano Martino'. It arose from the determination to deliver pragmatic, steadfast student assistance directly inside laboratories, lecture halls, and hospital wards.
From its earliest days, O.R.U.M. established itself as a reliable anchor: maintaining constructive dialogue with academic authorities, safeguarding regional ERSU scholarships and student residences, and guaranteeing fair rotations for medical and healthcare internships.
Over the years, this commitment expanded across all humanistic, legal, and economic departments of the university, establishing a continuous and respected presence in collegiate governing bodies (Academic Senate, Board of Directors, and CNSU).
Associazione Morgana is Founded
In 2012, in the historic heart of Messina at Via Del Vespro, Associazione Morgana was established by a university student community determined to overcome passivity in academic decisions, transforming student life into an active path of civic engagement and local empowerment.
Representation was framed as a genuine school of civic training, cultural aggregation, and daily protection of student rights. Under the core motto «Always on the student's side», Morgana launched freshman orientation desks, peer study support groups, and built ongoing, constructive dialogue with university governing bodies.
Its roots expanded rapidly across every university faculty, becoming an independent and respected voice in collegiate bodies, constantly turning real student needs into concrete, actionable resolutions.
Piazza dell'Arte: Since 2013
Since 2013 and continuously to the present day, Morgana has organized Piazza dell'Arte, transforming the central courtyard and monumental stairs of the Rectorate of the University of Messina into the largest youth arts and live music festival in Eastern Sicily.
A celebrated annual festival uniting thousands of students to enjoy live band concerts, painting and sculpture exhibitions, photography labs, dance showcases, and open cultural debates, bringing university spaces back to youth creativity.
With over ten successful editions and the birth of FantArte (the first art gamification platform in Messina), Piazza dell'Arte proves that university is first and foremost a vibrant community celebrating youth talent.
The University Cineforum
A cornerstone of our academic cultural offering: thematic film seasons dedicated to auteur cinema, social engagement, and landmark masterpieces, with discounted student rates at Cinema Apollo.
Every screening is an opportunity for authentic critical debate, joined by university professors, guest experts, and students discussing pressing issues: fighting organized crime, defending civil rights, medical bioethics, and environmental justice, with university training credits (CFU).
Connecting local movie theaters and university auditoriums to cultivate thoughtful inquiry, civic dialogue, and cultural enrichment for the entire student body.
La Notte dei Regali
A cherished Christmas solidarity tradition that warms the hearts of the Messina university student body and the local community each December.
Through an extensive charity collection across every university department and at the Via Santa Elia 11 hub, hundreds of toys, games, and books are gathered and hand-delivered directly to children admitted to the pediatric wards of the Policlinico Universitario 'Gaetano Martino' and the Papardo Hospital in Messina.
A tangible demonstration of empathy and civic solidarity, proving that student representation is first and foremost human closeness and active care for the most fragile.
The Outcomes We Delivered
Our community has distinguished itself across the years through determined student advocacy and tangible, documented improvements across all areas of university life:
Transit & Student Parking
Mobilità urbana e convenzioni- •Attivazione convenzione con Trenitalia che prevede uno sconto del 20% su tutti i treni Freccia per la comunità studentesca.
- •Ripristino collegamento diretto Porto - Università Centrale - Aulario - Casa dello Studente di Gravitelli (ex linea 42 bis).
- •Convenzione per gli studenti per parcheggi a Cavallotti.
- •Attivazione servizio navette ATM nel Policlinico (Bonino ZIR - Padiglioni del Policlinico).
- •Estensione abbonamento ATM nei giorni festivi e nei mesi estivi di Agosto e Settembre.
Academics & Exams
Merito, appelli e piani di studi- •Punto bonus per il voto di laurea conseguito con almeno due lodi in materie caratterizzanti e di base previste dal piano di studi anche per i corsi di laurea magistrale a ciclo unico.
- •Approvazione appelli straordinari da Maggio 2023 per gli studenti dell'ultimo anno di corsi triennali e magistrali.
- •Contributo fondamentale con proposte per la riorganizzazione dei piani di studi dei corsi di laurea.
- •Modulazione dei bandi (da Casa UniMe a quello per il Part-Time 150 ore) per garantirne la fruizione a quanti più studenti possibile.
- •Creazione del progetto Live Chat con le segreterie e digitalizzazione completa domanda di laurea.
Study Halls & Campus Life
Spazi studio, biblioteche e mobilità estera- •Prolungamento dell'orario delle biblioteche dell'Ateneo per lo studio serale.
- •Contributo alla realizzazione dell'area ristoro presso lo spazio all'aperto del Padiglione G, con installazione di luci, tavoli e sedie.
- •Ammodernamento e apertura di nuove aule studio del Dipartimento SCIPOG.
- •Potenziamento del programma Erasmus e istituzione dello stesso in diversi Corsi di Laurea ove non presente.
- •Istituzione della figura del "Buddy", studente-tutor retribuito per gli studenti Erasmus incoming, e potenziamento di Erasmus traineeship, Erasmus+ e SAW.
Health & Practical Training
Workshop su simulatore e primo soccorso- •Corso pratico di sutura su simulatore rivolto agli studenti di Medicina e Chirurgia, MedBiotech, Medicine and Surgery e Ostetricia.
- •Corsi di rianimazione e venipuntura e corsi certificati di Primo Soccorso BLSD rivolti a tutti gli studenti.
- •Corso gratuito di autodifesa per gli studenti universitari.
- •Progetto Univerde grazie al quale è stata avviata la raccolta differenziata all'interno dell'Ateneo e iniziative di pulizia spiagge.
- •Eventi artistici e solidali: Piazza dell'Arte (dal 2013 a oggi), La Notte dei Regali e tornei sportivi di beneficenza.
Where to Find Us
Joint operational headquarters and registered institutional offices
Via Santa Elia 11, 98122 Messina
L'hub operativo e punto di incontro quotidiano per entrambe le associazioni: Associazione Morgana e Associazione O.R.U.M. Il luogo di accoglienza per le matricole, assemblee studentesche, confronto e programmazione delle attività universitarie.
Inquadramento Statutario
Associazione Morgana
Via Del Vespro n°57, 98123 Messina
C.F.: 97103490831
Associazione O.R.U.M.
Contrada Petraro Top Residence Ganzirri, 98165 Messina
C.F.: 27068650833
Join the Team!
If you have passion, ideas, and the desire to get involved in student community and local action, Morgana and O.R.U.M. are the right place for you.