Student council members have a wish list for the university's surplus

Unlike in the past few years, there was no heated debate this time between the Executive Board and the University Council regarding the "windfall" in the budget. According to the final quarterly report (Q4) of 2025, it looks like Utrecht University will once again end the year not only in the black but with a substantial surplus despite this being a year in which "great sacrifices have been made, particularly by the University Corporate Offices", in the words of student representative Boris Wesseldijk. The University Council discussed the Q4 report with the Executive Board on Monday, 30 March.

The Executive Board wishes to allocate 8.7 million euros to the interest reserve, a fund that uses future loan interest to finance renovations and new-build projects. The Board also wishes to set aside the funds that were not spent on Asturias (Solis-ID only) for the new operational processes system in human resources, finance, and procurement. Asturias costs 28 million euros, of which 25.8 million still has to be paid over the next few years. This is part of an agreement to which the University Council has already consented.

However, to do this, the Executive Board requires the approval of the University Council, as it deviates from the university's budgetary rules, which stipulate that any remaining funds must go to the central reserves.

Too drastic
At an earlier meeting with part of the University Council, the university administration discussed the relationship between the substantial budget cuts UU was subjected to and the surplus at the end of last year. Were the budget cuts to the University Corporate Offices too drastic in hindsight? Could they be scaled back somewhat this year?

UU Vice-President Margot van der Starre explained at the time that, when the 2025 budget was drawn up, the university did not know that it would ultimately receive several sums from the Dutch government. The university's faculties and departments were too cautious in their budgeting. In the end, more money was allocated to research than expected, and less money was spent on real estate due to delays in construction and renovation projects.

As for the cuts to the University Corporate Offices, Van der Starre argued that they were necessary because the corporate offices were spending more than they were receiving. “Now their budget is finally balanced, for the first time. I hope that no one will ever say that UU spends too much money on overhead ever again.” When asked whether the Faculty of Humanities could not be spared, the answer was no. The vice-president stated that the faculty had been struggling with financial problems for years and that it was now time to address them.

According to her, the 2026 budget, which involves further budget cuts across all faculties and services, will not be amended either. She says that austerity measures remain necessary, partly due to the high costs of UU’s property portfolio, the declining number of young people entering higher education, and the uncertainty surrounding the extent to which the minority cabinet will be able to implement its plans.

The seven wishes
Armed with this information, the students drew up their own wish list ahead of last Monday’s meeting, suggesting how part of the 25 million euros could be spent.

Above all, they would like to reverse the cutbacks on the University Council interpreter. Last year, the University Council hired an interpreter to translate the council’s debates live into English. This academic year, the university had no funds to do so. The students are asking the university administration to reverse this measure to keep the University Council accessible to international staff and students who do not have a sufficient command of Dutch. This would cost 175,000 euros over five years. 

The second biggest request made by the student representatives is to allocate funds for sustainable ideas ideas – the so-called green sparks. Examples include initiatives such as adding greenery to the library's courtyard in the city centre and the vegan catering service De Pit, in the Educatorium building.

They are also reiterating a wish that proved too expensive last year: installing artificial turf for a rugby pitch at the Olympos Sports Centre. This would cost 1.8 million euros.

In addition, the student representatives would like to establish a minor in governance for student representatives, revive the graduation gift for the tree fund, improve quiet study areas, and install more power sockets in the Educatorium's lecture halls. 

This last request was dismissed right off the bat. “Though this may seem like an easy request to fulfil, it's actually too expensive,” said Margot van der Starre during the meeting.

In June, the Executive Board will announce whether (and, if so, which of) the students' requests will be granted.