Fundamentals

The fundamental principles of the GSb are the positions that the association stands for and wants to achieve for students at all times. Of course, a lot changes with each new academic year and with each new board, but the fundamental principles are what are central to the association and its members.

Objectives

The Groninger Student Union (GSb) is a union for all students and prospective students in higher education in Groningen and, as such, will use all means at its disposal to represent the interests of its target group.

The GSb strives to create the most favorable living environment possible for students in Groningen, with a focus on sustainability and its promotion.

Advocacy covers every area that students encounter in their capacity as students. This includes at least the areas of education, housing, and mobility.

In addition to representing students' interests, the GSb also provides services to students to increase and promote their knowledge, self-awareness, and legal position.

Working Method

The GSb strives to achieve its goal by:

• representing its members and promoting the interests of students;
• maintaining contacts with and participation in other (student) organizations and institutions in Groningen, throughout the country, and abroad;
• establishing the bodies necessary for the performance of its tasks;
• offering assistance, advice, and information in many areas to students and prospective students;
• participating in co-governance and advisory bodies;
• conducting research and writing public policy documents;
• taking organized action, provided that reasonable consultation proves impossible or has proved fruitless;
• providing legal assistance to students;
• use all other lawful means that are conducive to the objectives.

Quality of Education

• The principle of academic freedom must apply to all higher education.
• Discrimination in higher education in any form—racism, sexism, financial status, origin, family situation, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, age, or disability—must be combated.
• The educational institution serves as a role model and fulfills an important social function in the region and in general, and should tailor its policy accordingly, including in the areas of sustainability and ethics. It should communicate this to students and society.
• The government is responsible for providing sufficient resources for higher education, while institutions are responsible for implementation and are obliged to ensure the highest quality of education. The government must ensure objective monitoring.
• Students must be able to make use of effective transitional arrangements when moving from a bachelor's to a master's program and when changing their field of study.
• If the program is insufficiently studyable, the institution will ensure that students receive full financial compensation.
• The same tuition fee must be paid for each course of study. This should put an end to institutional tuition fees.
• Tuition fees should not be allowed to exceed their current level. Moreover, tuition fees are the amount that gives students access to all the facilities offered by the educational institution, so in principle, costs in addition to tuition fees are unacceptable.
• It is the responsibility of educational institutions to provide high-quality study information and study choice advice.
• It is the duty of educational institutions to provide students with disabilities with adequate facilities and clear regulations.
• It is important that minority groups see sufficient role models in order to promote diversity in higher education.
• Educational institutions should offer students the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities and facilitate their involvement in student organizations.
• A flexible schedule is important for students so that they can develop in ways other than just within their own studies.
• The loan system funds must be spent in such a way that students in Groningen benefit directly from them.
• In this period of internationalization of educational institutions, it is important that a healthy balance is maintained between Dutch-language and English-language programs. Dutch-language programs should not be offered in another language without explicit support from students and staff.
• International students should be encouraged by educational institutions to participate in extracurricular activities and become active in student organizations.
• Educational institutions should not attempt to attract more international students than they can reasonably accommodate, and not before they have a concrete plan for the care that these international students require.

Participation

• The policy of an educational institution is supported by the members of the academic or applied sciences community. The board of an educational institution can therefore only be a reflection of that community.
• Students, together with academic staff and other personnel, form the academic or applied sciences community. Student participation is
• thus a fundamental aspect of policy-making at an educational institution.
• Student participation is currently at the level of co-governance, but the ultimate goal is for students to have a say in their education at the institutional level.
• Educational institutions have a responsibility to inform students about the possibility of participation in co-governance and to encourage them to participate in co-governance.
• Members of co-governance bodies should be selected through open recruitment and elected democratically.

Living Conditions of Students

• The government must ensure adequate financial support for students so that every student can cover their living expenses. If the government chooses to have parents pay part of the study costs, this should be related to income and made legally binding. The law must set a specific amount that is sufficient, even for exceptional circumstances. Legislation and policy should not hinder the mobility of students in and to Groningen.
• Legislation and policy should not hinder the availability and quality of housing for students who rent. It is therefore the responsibility of the government to ensure a sound housing policy. Educational institutions should also commit to this. Students have the right to adequate, affordable, and safe housing.
• In principle, every student who rents accommodation must reside in a dwelling to which rent control and tenant protection provisions apply.