New student and staff representatives: ‘It’s easy to criticise, but you also need to build bridges’
A new academic year also marks the start of a new term for student and staff representatives. Two new council members tell us what motivates them and how they plan to represent student and staff interests in the year ahead.
Mara Constantinescu, Regional Coordinator for Latin America
University Council, representing FNV union, Leiden University
‘With democracy under pressure globally, I think that we as a university should serve as an example. It’s easy to criticise, but you also need people who are willing to build bridges and make a positive difference. I also think it’s important that the union is represented on the University Council. FNV union, Leiden University asked me to stand as a candidate. My ideas aligned with what the members also wanted to see represented. It is fantastic that, in such a short time, we were able to establish a party that resonated with so many employees. In the end, we became the largest party!
‘I don’t think that criticism and trust have to be polar opposites.’
‘For me as a council member, transparent leadership and responsible financial decision-making will be key priorities this year. I don’t think that criticism and trust have to be polar opposites; it’s by combining the two that we can help make our university a better place. I’m also committed to responsible external collaboration. I work for the International Affairs team, within the Department of Strategy and Academic Affairs, so it’s a topic that’s close to my heart. I think our university should be socially responsible, but it should also be a place where academic freedom can flourish and where we can use our position as a bastion of freedom to promote democracy and human rights.
‘I’m convinced that a university would be nothing without its people: our students and researchers, but also our support staff, cleaners and catering staff. It’s the people who make the university what it is.’
Sanne Wille, medicine and archaeology student
University Council, representing Partij voor Bèta en Medische Studenten (the party for science and medicine students, PBMS)
‘In the pre-election period, I sometimes asked students why they didn’t vote, and they’d often answer: “It doesn’t affect me, does it?” I understood why they might think that. That’s why, as a council member, I want to show students the practical side of representation: that you can influence how you study, how you are taught and your chances of success. That it’s not just about idealistic visions for the distant future, but also quite simply about how we can make sure right now that completing your studies is a positive experience.
‘I want to show students the practical side of representation: that you can influence how you study.’
‘What I want to focus on this year is facilitating online lectures to make our teaching more accessible. I want to bring students and teaching staff together to determine what is feasible. Our party also thinks it’s important that support services, such as the student psychologists, are accessible. And lastly, we want sport at the USC to remain affordable, and we’d like to see a clear AI policy across all faculties.
‘I’m looking forward to it but also expect this year to be challenging. Everyone in the council is motivated and is keen to work together, but we’re bound to have our differences at some point. Finding common ground will be an interesting challenge.’
Representatives get to know the Executive Board and one another
Around 65 members of the University Council, faculty councils and employee councils gathered at the Faculty Club on Monday 14 September. During this training day, they attended a presentation by the Executive Board, and sessions on negotiation, constructive consultation and the rights and responsibilities of representatives.
Banner: Monique Shaw