Almost 1,500 signatures calling for the preservation of Skills Lab

Judith Schippers, Joy de Jong and Nienke Hettinga stand somewhat nervously beside Rector Wilco Hazeleger and the new student assessor Tibbe Klein. De Jong is the coordinator of the Skills Lab, which supports students in developing skills such as academic writing and public speaking. She tells Hazeleger and Klein about the initial reaction of her colleagues back in June, when they were informed that their jobs would be axed so that the University Corporate Offices could save millions of euros. According to her, ‘Where will the students go?’ was the first question they asked, immediately followed by: ‘That can't be right, can it?’

Hence, the decision was made to start a petition to gauge the reactions of the university community. Since June, 1,452 people have signed it, including ‘lecturers, study advisers, students and also alumni.’ In addition to the petition, the rector also received an appendix containing reactions from the signatories, including warm words from students who could not have done without the help of the Skills Lab.

The rector says he appreciates the work of the Skills Lab staff and their struggle: ‘It shows great commitment.’ He adds that the university is exploring ways to accommodate the work of the Skills Lab. He emphasises that the university's interventions have an ‘external’ cause, referring to the major budget cuts imposed on higher education by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. ‘All budget cuts hurt.’

The three employees indicate that they are happy to contribute ideas about alternatives that would enable the Skills Lab's work to continue.

No money
After the meeting, the three employees say they are satisfied with the reception they got from the rector. ‘Now we have done everything in our power.’ They have also penned an op-ed for DUB.

Schippers, De Jong and Hettings took action as soon as they heard the news at the end of June. ‘Our team leader called the evening before the cutbacks were announced,' De Jong recollects. 'She said: "Take a seat”. We knew right away that it was bad news.’ That day, the reason given for discontinuing the Skills Lab was that it 'does not generate income for the University Corporate Offices.'

Not visible
The Skills Lab was established in 2016 to support students in developing essential skills in an academic environment. Located in the University Library at Utrecht Science Park, the Skills Lab offers guidance on writing a thesis, planning your studies, and preparing for exams. The students are supervised by other students who have been trained as writing and study coaches. According to the trio, this amounts to 2,200 to 2,300 consultations per year.

In addition to providing direct assistance to students, the Skills Lab also negotiates with course providers to offer courses such as English or Effective Studying at a reduced rate to UU students. 'This is not visible work,' says De Jong. The Skills Lab staff also maintains a webpage listing all external courses available at a reduced rate to UU students.

The three employees argue that their work can prevent students from dropping out. ‘Although we have been told that we do not generate any money, we prevent the university from incurring additional costs by preventing students from dropping out or taking longer than the standard period to graduate. Our work is preventive, so ultimately we save the university money.’