University Council to gain greater insight into UNL discussions

The University Council demanded that the Executive Board provide greater insight into the deliberations within Universities of the Netherlands (UNL), the umbrella association of Dutch research universities. The demand was triggered by an embarrassing blunder surrounding the so-called "self-regulation agreements" through which Dutch universities aim to limit the intake of international students.

Late last year, the Executive Board had to acknowledge that then-university president Anton Pijpers had failed to share all the agreements with those directly affected or involved by them within the university. The Economics department was completely taken by surprise by the announcement that the English-taught programme would be discontinued. Until that point, they assumed that a Dutch-taught track would be introduced alongside the existing English-taught one. 

Thanks to the change of government, the decision was reversed earlier this year, but trust in the Executive Board had suffered a mighty blow. In February, University Council members used a meeting to express their dissatisfaction with this state of affairs, after which an informal consultation with the board took place. The outcome: the Executive Board now commits to three things. The promises are detailed in a letter (accessible only to those with a Solis ID, Ed.) sent to the UU Council earlier this month.

Firstly, during committee meetings, each board member will report on the topics they have discussed in UNL consultations. Secondly, when agreements are reached within UNL, the board will make a reservation if the UU Council must be consulted. Finally, when UNL reports on national agreements, the board will provide context to the UU Council.

The Executive Board hopes that involving the council in relevant matters will gradually restore its trust in the UU administration, the letter concludes.