Student Participation
You are the student, you pay the bill, and therefore you are entitled to maximum influence on your curriculum and university policy. At the GSb, we know that real student participation goes beyond just having a cup of coffee. It is a powerful combination of the following pillars:
The GMA
Co-governance
Lobbying
Activism
1. The General Members' Assembly (GMA)
The student union is a democratic organization, and the highest authority lies with its members. The General Members’ Assembly (GMA) is where the GSb’s course is determined:
- Establishing policy: The members establish stances and action points on education, housing, student welfare, and financing.
- Democratic legitimacy: The GMA legitimizes the work of the board and the student representatives. Without a mandate from the members, the union does not speak on behalf of students.
- Accountability: The board, factions, and committees are accountable to the GMA for their work and achieved results.
2. The Power of Co-governance
| Institution | Centralized (institution-wide) | Decentralized (faculty/school) | Programme (OER/quality) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
RUG |
University Council (UR/Uraad) |
Faculty Council (FR) |
Programme Committee (OC) |
|
Hanze |
Hanze Co-governance Council (HMR) |
Decentral Co-governance Council (DMR) |
Programme Committee (OC) |
|
Vocational Schools |
Student Council (SR) |
n/a (location-wide councils) |
n/a |
Key rights in co-governance:
- Right of consent: The council can block decisions on crucial documents such as the Education and Examination Regulations (OER) and the budget outline.
- Right of consultation: The board must seek advice on important policy decisions (such as strategic plans and major investments).
- Right of information and initiative: Council members are entitled to all necessary information and may submit policy proposals themselves.
The role of GSb representatives: Our elected council members ensure that the views of union members and general student interests are presented consistently and professionally in all formal consultations.
3. Lobbying & Advocacy
In addition to formal participation and the GMA, the GSb is committed to representing the interests of all students through lobbying and advocacy.
- Direct contact with administrators: We engage in regular consultation with educational institutions, local politicians, (semi-)governmental bodies and other interest groups in order to proactively address student affairs.
- Political lobbying: We lobby with local and national political parties to encourage student-friendly policy choices.
- Collaboration: By working together with local student unions in the National Student Union (LSVb) and with other (student) organizations, we fight for the interests of Groningen students at the national level.
4. Activism: Exerting Pressure
If formal consultations and lobbying fail to produce results, the GSb does not shy away from direct action. Activism is an essential tool for reminding administrators and politicians of their responsibilities and for highlighting injustices:
- Protests and demonstrations: Mobilizing students for large-scale protests to attract public and political attention.
- Public campaigns: Conducting targeted campaigns on issues such as the housing crisis, work pressure, or tuition fees.
- Exerting pressure: Using media attention and social pressure to influence decision-making.
Student participation is a continuous process. It requires both the commitment of our formal representatives within the councils and the involvement and mandate of our members through the GMA and the active pressure of our action groups on the streets and in politics.
Would you like to strengthen the GSb? Become a member, attend the GMA, become active in a working group, or become a candidate for a co-governance council! Check our vacancies for more information.
