End-of-year policy updates, student support fund, hospital integration and a new Council

During our May committee meetings, we discussed how the implementation of the rewards and recognition program is going, and the prognosis for the number of students we will have in the future, as well as the state of the housing market for students. We also received the results of the recent IKT and CeQuInt accreditations, in which UM’s teaching quality and internationalization policy were evaluated. Both assessments were very positive and gave us some good recommendations for further improvements. 

During our June committee meetings, we received updates on the implementation of the Human Rights Due Diligence and Fossil Free frameworks. These frameworks govern how and when UM will sever ties with sensitive partners. We also got an update on the future of Diversity and Inclusivity policy at UM. Additionally, we are discussing the annual report for 2024 as well as how actual spending in 2025 compares to the budget over the first four months. Despite the national cutbacks, UM’s financial position remains healthy, and, while politics is unpredictable as ever, parliament’s motion to remove the language test for existing programs from the proposed law on internationalization is a hopeful development. And there are the usual updates to various university regulations concerning tuition fees, numerus fixus policy, and the like.

Furthermore, the Executive Board has responded positively to the Council’s initiative to extend the period that students are eligible for support from the student support fund, for example because of force majeure or board activities, by an extra year for Bachelor students. This is a welcome change that will help many students and proof that initiatives by the council can make a difference.

During our last meeting this year, the University Council will finalise its opinion on the proposed board integration between the University and the Academic Hospital. This is something we have been working on all year, in our dedicated committee, but the most recent proposals are currently being considered by the full council. 

Lastly, the Council is already preparing for the arrival of our new members. I was happy that the turnout for the recent election has increased substantially, thanks to the effort of the candidates, the elections office, and the Marketing and Communications department. The new members will be introduced to the work of the Council over the summer, and we will once again hold a Council Day for all members of participatory.

Teun Dekker
Chair University Council