Nearly a quarter of student organisations likely to get less money

Student organisations, such as social, sports and cultural associations, which are recognised by Utrecht University of Applied Sciences (HU) and Utrecht University (UU) receive funding from the educational institutions in the form of board grants. 

To qualify for these board grants, the organisation must meet certain conditions. After that, it’s determined how much funding they will receive. The distribution of grants is going to change in the coming academic year. 

Complex and subjective
Currently, student organisations receive grants based, among other things, on membership numbers, the number and type of activities it organises, and how well these activities are attended.

However, an audit of the data sometimes uncovered "subjectivity and exceptions", according to a memo (solis-id required) to the University Council. As a result, the current policy is "not transparent, very complex and labour-intensive." In addition, the co-determination and student organisations indicate that administrators feel undervalued. 

Membership numbers
The policy is therefore undergoing an overhaul. Going forward, student organisations will only be assessed on two criteria: the number of HU and UU members and the management of the association building. This would allow an association to “predict in advance how much board grant they will be eligible for in the next assessment.”  

The percentage of HU and UU members in the total membership will no longer be taken into account. This abandons the old rule that 70 per cent of members must study at HU or UU, as that rule would hinder student organisations from "welcoming" MBO students. 

Less money
Most organisations are likely to get more financial support from UU and HU under the new policy, but some will lose out significantly. The forecast shows that 17 out of 71 student organisations will receive less financial support. 

If the University Council and the Council of the University of Applied Sciences agree to the new policy, it will come into practice as of September 2024. In the following academic year, 2025-2026, student organisations will be awarded the first grants for three consecutive years, according to the renewed assessment. 

Transition
There will be a transitional period for those student organisations which will receive fewer board grants under the new policy: from 2025 to 2028 they will still receive 50 percent of the grants they miss out on. So, an organisation that is rewarded 10 grant units less under the new policy will only get five grant units less during the transition period.

In response to the plans, the student delegations of the University Council and the Council of the University of Applied Sciences submitted their own proposal. They want the board grants to be increased and tie them to the annual inflation adjustment.