{"id":171735,"date":"2024-09-24T12:38:39","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T10:38:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=171735"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:29","slug":"disproportionate-cuts-for-erasmus-university-forced-redundancies-not-ruled-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2024\/09\/24\/disproportionate-cuts-for-erasmus-university-forced-redundancies-not-ruled-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Disproportionate cuts for Erasmus University; forced redundancies \u2018not ruled out\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Erasmus University is facing disproportionately severe cuts from the government\u2019s budget reduction plans. The Executive Board is preparing to resist against these measures, potentially through legal action. Meanwhile, reorganisations and forced redundancies \u2018cannot be ruled out\u2019, says the university’s administration.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Lecturers and staff are protesting against the proposed cuts.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHOP<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Ellen van Schoten, vice-chair of the Executive Board, describes the cuts as \u2018unprecedentedly harsh\u2019 and a \u2018very bad development\u2019. \u201cThis government claims to prioritise innovation, so how can it justify cutting investment in people who advance the knowledge economy? And as a leader, I find it very odd that just two years ago, we received extra funding<\/a>, only for it to be taken away again<\/a>. I find that very upsetting. Fortunately, thanks to the preparations we\u2019ve made, we\u2019re in a solid financial position. It won\u2019t be easy, but we can handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n

International faculties under pressure<\/h2>
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>

Ellen van Schoten.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRonald van den Heerik<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

Erasmus University, along with other universities, is considering \u2018actions<\/a>\u2019 and possible legal steps<\/a> against the government. \u201cWe\u2019re already making our opposition known through the media.\u201d Van Schoten is reluctant to elaborate on legal action, but it \u2018remains an option\u2019.<\/p>\n

Faculties with a large international student body \u2013 such as RSM and ESHCC \u2013 are under significant strain. Institutes like ISS and IHS, both impacted by cuts to development cooperation funding, are also facing challenges.<\/p>\n

Reorganisations and forced redundancies are \u2018not out of the question\u2019, according to Van Schoten, but where and when remains unclear. \u201cOf course, we\u2019re trying to avoid this as much as possible. Whether it will be necessary, and where, is still uncertain. Each department is now assessing what measures are required. In some areas, we\u2019ve already limited external hiring, we\u2019re not renewing temporary contracts, and some vacancies are either not being filled or only after a delay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Discontinued compensation<\/h2>

In 2025, a year earlier than expected, the university will lose the starter and incentive grants. These grants are intended to give academics better chances of securing permanent positions and conducting independent research. Scientists who have already received such grants will not be affected, but after 1 January, no new grants will be awarded.<\/p>\n

The university will lose 39 million as a result of these cuts. Along with Maastricht and Tilburg, Erasmus University is disproportionately impacted. These three relatively young universities receive additional funding because they get less money from the Ministry of Education than the older universities. Despite lobbying for structural compensation, the universities have yet to succeed.<\/p>\n\t

\n\t\t

\u00a0EUR\u2019s financial setbacks at a glance<\/strong><\/p>\n