Most pre-master’s students will be allowed to vote in UU Council elections next year

The Executive Board has ultimately decided to grant pre-master’s students the right to vote. Earlier this year, the UU administration rejected a policy paper from the student party Vuur, arguing that pre-master’s students are not official students, as pre-master’s programmes are bridging programmes rather than separate, state-funded degree programmes with EHEA registration. Only students enroled on programmes with those characteristics are permitted to stand for election and vote for the faculty councils and the University Council.

The members of the University Council criticised the decision, finding it incomprehensible. In their view, most pre-master’s students are comparable to bachelor’s and master’s students and have the same connection to the university. They argued that allowing this group of students to participate would benefit democracy at UU.

The Executive Board listened to these arguments and reconsidered Vuur’s request. In a letter to the University Council last week, the board announced that it would allow most pre-master’s students to participate in the elections.

Most, but not all. Those enrolled as "contract students", who pay per course, will not be granted voting rights. They are registered differently, meaning they will not receive an invitation to vote or to stand for election. This can be done by professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge through individual courses.

The Executive Board wishes to prevent people who have a weaker connection to the university from being admitted to the representative body.