Have you ever taken a course that was poorly organized? Or maybe had a schedule that was impossible to combine with your other commitments? Perhaps you feel there aren’t enough study spaces, or that more attention should be given to mental health. These are all issues students can run into on a daily basis. But did you know that, as a student, you can actually do something about this? That is exactly what student participation is for!

What is student participation?

Student participation means that, as a student, you don’t just attend lectures and take exams—you also have a say in how the university is run. Universities and universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands are legally required to involve students and staff in discussions and decision-making on important matters. This is laid down in de Wet op het Hoger Onderwijs en Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (WHW) (the Higher Education and Scientific Research).

The WHW stipulates, among other things, that:

• Every university must have participation councils in which students and staff are represented.

• Students and staff have the right to give advice on major decisions, such as the allocation of financial resources or changes to the curriculum.

• Programme Committees have the right of consent on issues such as the structure of education and the way courses are assessed.

In other words: student participation is not an extra privilege, but a legal right. Universities cannot simply make decisions without taking into account the voices of students and staff. And this is exactly where the Participation at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences comes in!

Inspraak: student representation within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, student participation is called the Participation (de Inspraak). This means that students and staff contribute to discussions and decisions about education and policy at different levels. You can participate at the faculty level, for example in the Faculty Council, where you help shape the direction of the faculty. But you can also have an influence at the programme level, for example in a Programme Committee, where you are directly involved in the quality of courses and assessment. This applies to both bachelor’s and master’s students.

By taking part in the Participation, you not only support your fellow students but also gain valuable experience. You learn to negotiate, think critically, and work in a team. Moreover, Participation members receive training, time, and support to perform their tasks well. In addition, they are compensated financially for their work.

Why should you speak up?

You might wonder: “But does this really solve anything?” Absolutely! Student participation has already achieved a lot. Think of numerous recommendations for course improvements, which have been implemented and can be found in the course manuals under ‘implemented changes’. The accessibility of student well-being services has also been reviewed for quite some time, making it easier for students to find the right points of contact. Or consider the free menstrual products now available in the most frequently used restrooms of the Langeveld Building and the Sjoerd Groenman Building. This was arranged by the Faculty Council!

Do you also want to have a say in how your studies and faculty are organized? Or simply want to know what’s going on? Then check out the rest of our website and discover how you can make your voice heard!