‘It could backfire’
UU President Anton Pijpers does not consider a strike to be the right instrument
Anton Pijpers joined students in a protest against the proposal to fine students for taking longer to graduate. Photo: DUB
In a recent committee meeting held by the UU Council, student council member Leonie Gerth asked why the Executive Board is not supporting the call for a strike. Last week, the Executive Board posted a message on the Intranet (accessible only to those with Solis ID, Ed.) saying that educational and research-related activities should go on March 11.
Pijpers replied that the board understands why students and employees want to speak out against the government's policy. The board supported previous protests and the Executive Board members even attended the big demonstration in The Hague in November.
However, in his opinion, a strike would not contribute to the goal of changing the government's mind. Pijpers believes students and employees themselves would be the only ones suffering from such an action. "I even think that a strike could backfire. They could say: 'We can give them a little less money, they don't work anyway.'"
Criticism
Council member Gerth then pointed out that many students and employees have a hard time understanding the accommodating attitude displayed by the board. Last Wednesday, during the meeting that decided when the strike would happen, employees criticised the board for "eagerly" carrying out the budget cuts imposed by The Hague.
According to Pijpers, many UU students and employees think differently. In his opinion, it is unrealistic to think that all budget cuts could be reversed. "We are already getting less money. If we don't do anything, we risk hitting a wall. But we are not giving up the fight."
The UU chairman has more confidence in the lobbying strategy being implemented in collaboration with the other universities. According to him, Caspar van den Berg, the chair of the university association UNL has been talking to members of the Senate and the House of Representatives on a daily basis.
“We may differ in opinion about the strategy to be followed, but that is how the Executive Board assesses the situation."