{"id":90842,"date":"2018-10-18T09:55:22","date_gmt":"2018-10-18T07:55:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=90842"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:23:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:23:07","slug":"what-the-universitys-doing-with-your-abolished-student-grant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2018\/10\/18\/what-the-universitys-doing-with-your-abolished-student-grant\/","title":{"rendered":"What the university\u2019s doing with your abolished student grant"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2015 the government abolished the old student grant system. To soften the blow of this loss of income, future students would enjoy better education in return. These new funds will shortly be flowing into the budget under the header \u2018quality agreements\u2019.<\/p>\n

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Florence Schaatsbergen<\/span><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Florence Schaatsbergen (21, Erasmus University College) is one of the student members of the University Council. Spearheads that are particularly important to her personally are sustainability and improving the provided education. The extra money, totalling some EUR 15 million per year, could play an important part. Five questions for Florence Schaatsbergen regarding the new quality agreements.<\/p>\n

Huh? It has been three years since the base grant was abolished. Why are we only now seeing this money?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe government needed a few years to draw up its plans \u2013 a process that has only just been rounded off. In anticipation, Erasmus University had already started making \u2018pre-investments\u2019 in its education offer. The difference being that those investments were paid out of the university\u2019s own pocket. For the new plans \u2013 i.e. the \u2018quality agreements\u2019 \u2013 the state will be footing the bill, provided the investments conform to the six pillars established by the government.\u201d<\/p>\n

Which pillars are those?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThey concern more intensive and smaller-scale degree programmes; differentiation in teaching methods and talent development; professionalisation of lecturers; suitable, quality education facilities; increased and more effective support for students; and finally, better academic results (including follow-on programmes), accessibility and equal opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\u2018Our impression is that some of them [faculty councils] don\u2019t realise how much money is heading their way\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

Which role does the University Council play when it comes to quality agreements?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cUniversity-wide, there\u2019s the development of the Community for Learning and Innovation [to be opened this November, ES]. We focus most of our attention on this project. We aren\u2019t directly involved in plans at the faculty level; that\u2019s up to the faculty councils. We do work to keep the faculty councils up to date on everything that\u2019s possible and facilitate the planning process. Our impression is that some of them don\u2019t realise how much money is heading their way. On top of this, some faculties are cautious when it comes to appointing extra staff: they\u2019re afraid of losing this budget later on \u2013 if the university gets poor marks from the assessment committee, for example. At which point the government cuts off funding. But the university has already promised that the faculties will receive the money at any rate, regardless of the outcome of the quality assessment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Can you also apply for this funding as a student with a good idea on how to improve education?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe really hope that students will think along on how to improve education. The money\u2019s becoming available now, so it\u2019s the perfect time to pitch your ideas. Your best move is to get in touch with the programme committee of your study programme, or your study adviser. If they\u2019re not interested, you can email your dean \u2013 he or she can always help you along.\u201d<\/p>\n

What do you personally hope will be improving as a result of this extra money?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope the lectures will improve in terms of quality and that they will become more appealing. I hope tutors will get a better idea of which resources they can use for their lectures \u2013 video, for instance. I\u2019d also like to see the university contributing to students\u2019 development as human beings \u2013 not just help them earn a degree. Deal with subjects like refugees, handling the media, sustainability, but also something like loneliness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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