History of participation
Before 1997, University Councils were administrative bodies of the university. They consisted of both students and staff. The councils made decisions about everything that concerned the university. The law that described how the university should be governed was then called the WUB: Wet Universitaire Bestuursorganisatie (University Governance Organisation Act).
In 1997, a change was implemented: the MUB (Modernisation of University Administrative Organisation). This turned the University Council into a consultative body. The reason behind this change was that the ruling parties at the time felt that decision-making in University Councils was too slow. The MUB was intended to make the management of a university more similar to that of a company. This would enable higher returns and profits to be achieved.
Participation
A university or university of applied sciences is governed by a Board of Directors (hereinafter: BoD). Educational institutions in the Netherlands are also obliged to give students and staff a say in policy, finances and (the quality of) education: employee participation. The Higher Education and Scientific Research Act (hereinafter: WHW) forms the basis for Dutch employee participation rights.
Split or undivided participation system
There are two types of participation systems: split and undivided participation. In split participation, students and staff sit on separate participation bodies. In undivided participation, students and staff sit on a single body. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
The Executive Board of both universities and universities of applied sciences is authorised to choose between the two systems. The systems are often established when educational institutions are founded. The chosen system applies to the entire educational institution. Changing a system is virtually unheard of.
Participation in higher education
University Council or College Council
The central council at a university is often called the University Council, and at a college, the College Council. Every year (and every two years for staff), the members of the university council are elected through democratic elections.
The students on the University Council/College Council often work full-time in their council positions. This is also necessary, because during their year they have to deal with all kinds of issues on which they have a right of participation or advice. In addition, University Council members also try to realise their own ideas on how to improve the university. For example, the University Councils/College Councils can lobby for more living space on campus or microwaves for heating up food. In addition, the students on the University Councils/College Councils are also busy maintaining contact with faculty council members, programme committees, their local student union and, of course, their constituents (students): after all, they are democratically elected by the students.
Faculty council
Each faculty at the university has its own faculty council. Every year, the members of this council are elected. Being a faculty council member is usually a part-time position. However, this position should not be underestimated. In an average faculty council year, all kinds of issues come up: from education and examination regulations to administrative grants. As a faculty council member, you may also have to deal with budget cuts affecting a programme or even your entire faculty.
In addition to the work you have to do as a faculty council member on documents you receive from your board, faculty council members are also free to develop their own initiatives. Maintaining contact with the programme committees, study associations and the University Council/University of Applied Sciences Council is also essential.
Programme committees (OCs)
The Strengthening Administrative Power Act came into force on 1 September 2017. Under this Act, programme committees are official and formal representative bodies with the corresponding rights. For example, OCs now have the right of consent to the programme’s OER (Teaching and Examination Regulations). Some institutions also hold elections for OC’s. Many institutions as well as politicians are striving to ensure that every institution holds elections for this purpose.
Participation elections
Not every student and not every member of staff can simply take a seat on a central council/university/college council or departmental/faculty council. The students who hold these positions have an influence on the day-to-day running of their college or university. That is why these students must be democratically elected. These elections can be held on an individual basis or through parties. Elections for Central and Faculty Councils are usually held in the spring, when parties or individuals try to highlight their differences through their positions and often conduct colourful
campaigns. Programme committees are often formed at the beginning of the academic year, around October.
The legal basis for these elections can be found in the Higher Education and Scientific Research Act, in Articles 9.31 and 9.37 for universities and 10.17 for universities of applied sciences.
Participation for international students
International students studying in the Netherlands can also participate in student representation. However, there are a number of points to consider:
Language barrier
Dutch is often spoken in the participation council, especially if there are only Dutch participation council members on the board. However, if there are international students in the participation council, it is important to make agreements on how the board will work. Some councils decide to conduct all proceedings in English. Other councils decide to conduct proceedings in both Dutch and English, with translation provided. Still other councils offer international participation representatives the option of attending the “English-speaking parts” of a meeting and choosing whether or not to attend the “Dutch-speaking parts”. They may not be able to follow all that is said, but they are allowed to remain present.
Various institutions are paying increasing attention to the internationalisation of student participation, so that international students can also participate in a student participation body.
Remuneration
Students in student participation are often remunerated. It is important for international student representatives to pay attention to what is stated regarding the right to remuneration. In some cases, the rights of Dutch and foreign students within the EU differ from those of foreign students outside the EU. As a representative body, you have a say in these kinds of documents, so be aware of this and check how it is described in your regulations.
Want to know more?!
As a representative, you will come into contact with many administrative texts, laws and regulations. It is therefore understandable that you may feel completely overwhelmed in the first few months. Of course, you can find some initial guidance on this website, but the booklet WHWatisdat!? provides a complete description of the WHW for students. In it, you can find out exactly what articles mean, how to develop your own initiatives and read examples of how, for example, an OER is dealt with elsewhere. This booklet also contains useful tips on meetings, lobbying and how to read board proposals efficiently. In addition, we have developed the OC Guide for members of programme committees. The OC Guide contains all the tips and tricks you need to help you carry out your work.
The fifth edition of WHWatisdat?! can be read online. You can also order a hard copy of the booklet via the website.
The OC Guide?! can be read online. You can also order a hard copy of the booklet via the website.
PLEASE NOTE: These booklets are outdated and are currently being revised.
Participation Dictionary
There are many terms used in and related to participation. Below is a list of words with descriptions. This list is not final and is regularly updated. Are there any words missing, or do you have any additions? Let us know! Send an email to lsvb@lsvb.nl.
– Right to advise
This right applies to both central and decentralised participation. The right to advise gives the participation body the opportunity to advise on proposed decisions on certain matters, such as budgets.
– Central participation
Participation at institutional level with the Executive Board as the discussion partner.
– Decentralised employee participation
Employee participation at faculty level, with the Faculty Board as the discussion partner.
– Right to information
The right of central and decentralised employee participation bodies. This means that they have the right to all information they need for their work, such as the context documents accompanying the budget or the various documents relating to the OER (Teaching and Examination Regulations).
– Right of initiative
This right means that the (de)centralised representative bodies and the programme committee can take initiatives themselves. After all, they have the right to discuss everything concerning the institution/faculty/programme and education. According to the law, this right also means that the (de)centralised representative bodies may submit items for the agenda for meetings with the faculty board or Executive Board.
– Right of consent
The right that the (de)centralised representative bodies and OC’s have in certain matters, such as (revision of) the Student Charter, the Education and Examination Regulations (OER) or mergers.
– Participation
The term for the involvement of students and staff of an institution in proposed policy, finances and (the quality of) education.
– Participation Council
The term for the group of students and staff in the participation body.
– OER
OER stands for Education and Examination Regulations. The implementation of education and the assessment of a programme. In principle, the decentralised participation bodies and OCs have the right of consent in this regard.
– Programme committee
Participation at programme level with the programme board or programme director as the discussion partner.
– Student Charter
Perhaps the most important document of your institution. It contains everything that concerns students at the institution in terms of education, research, rights, obligations and requirements. Other documents and policy proposals often refer to this document, because it is the unofficial constitution of your university. It is therefore important to be familiar with it and to use it to your advantage. This document must be re-adopted each year by the Executive Board and the University Council.
– WHW
The Higher Education and Scientific Research Act. This contains most of the relevant laws for university institutions in the Netherlands. For students, the provisions on participation, education, funding, administrative structure and appeal procedures are often the most relevant. An important law, therefore!
– WVB
The Strengthening Administrative Power Act. This Act was amended on 1 September and, among other things, gives programme committees the right of consent regarding certain articles of the OER. Many educational institutions are now working on the practical implementation of this Act. Problems? Report them to the WVB reporting centre.