Co-governance at Hanze
As a student at Hanze, you have legally enshrined rights to participate in discussions and decisions about the organization, policy and quality of your university. This participation: co-governance, is a tool for students to ensure that the university board takes your interests into account.
Hanze has a undivided co-governance system: students and staff members sit together on the same councils at all levels. Co-governance in higher education (RUG, Hanze) is divided into bodies at the central, decentralized, and programme levels.
| Level | Body | Focus | Composition (undivided) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Centralized |
Hanze Co-governance Council (HMR) |
Policy for the entire university (strategy, finances, student charter). The HMR consults with the Executive Board (CvB). |
9 students and 9 staff members. |
|
Decentralized |
Decentral Co-governance Council (DMR) |
Policy at the level of the Schools or departments. Consults with the director of the relevant School/Service. |
Contains both students and staff members. |
|
Programme |
Programme Committee (OC) |
The quality and structure of the programme (OER, educational evaluation). Consults with the programme director. |
Students and teachers. |
Your Rights
As a student representative on one of these councils or committees, you have the following statutory rights:
| Right | Explanation | Application level |
|---|---|---|
|
Right of consent |
The board cannot take any decisions without the consent of the co-goveranance council. This is the most important right. |
HMR (budget, strategic plan), OC (OER), Decentralized councils (School regulations). |
|
Right of consultation |
The board must seek advice before making a decision. The board may deviate from the advice, but must then state in writing and motivate why. |
HMR (appointment of Executive Board members, major investments), Decentralized councils (school reorganizations) |
|
Right to information |
The council is entitled to all information necessary for the performance of its duties. Without complete information, the council cannot function properly. |
All levels. |
|
Right of initiative |
The council may make unsolicited proposals on all matters concerning the university or the program. |
All levels. |
Centralized level: the Hanze Co-governance Council (HMR)
The HMR is the highest representative body at Hanze and the discussion partner of the Executive Board (CvB).
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
|
Composition |
The HMR consists of 18 members: 9 students and 9 staff members. |
|
Authority |
Concerns institution-wide policy, finances, and strategy (see “Rights” below for details). |
|
Task |
The HMR discusses and reviews decisions that affect the entire university, such as the main points of the budget and the Student Charter. |
|
Working Method |
De HMR werkt met commissies (bijvoorbeeld Onderwijs & Onderzoek, Financiën & Personeel) die de onderwerpen voorbereiden voordat ze met het CvB worden besproken. |
Decentralized level: the Decentral Co-governance Councils (DMR)
At the decentralized level, there are participation councils for the individual Schools (faculties) and supporting services.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
|
Composition |
Consists of students and staff members of the relevant School or Service. |
|
Interlocutor |
The Director of the relevant School or Service. |
|
Task |
Concerns local policy of the School, such as the structure of the educational organization, the distribution of financial resources within the School, and the specific regulations of the School. |
Programme level: the Programme Committee (OCs)
The Programme Committee is the most direct body for influencing the quality of your own education. The OC is always undivided (consists of teachers and students together).
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
|
Composition |
Half of the members are students and half are teachers from the programme. |
|
Interlocutor |
The Director of Education or Education Manager. |
|
Key authority |
The OC has the right to approve the Education and Examination Regulations (OER). This is the most important document for your study programme! |
|
Task |
Monitors and advises on the quality of the programme, evaluates courses, and makes proposals for improving course content, assessment, and workload. |
Your rights: participation, advice, and information
As a student representative on one of these councils or committees, you have the following statutory rights:
| Right | Explanation | Application level |
|---|---|---|
|
Right of consent |
The board cannot take any decisions without the consent of the co-goveranance council. This is the most important right. |
HMR (budget, strategic plan), OC (OER), DMR (School Regulations). |
|
Right of consultation |
The board must seek advice before making a decision. The board may deviate from the advice, but must then state in writing and motivate why. |
HMR (appointment of Executive Board members, major investments), DMR (school reorganizations). |
|
Right to information |
The council is entitled to all information necessary for the performance of its duties. Without complete information, the council cannot function properly. |
All levels. |
|
Right of initiative |
The council may make unsolicited proposals on all matters concerning the university or the program. |
All levels. |
Did you know?
- The HMR is one of the few university councils where a student can also serve as chairperson ?
- The GSb supports candidates who wish to sit on a council? Our union provides training, backup and substantive knowledge.
- You can contact the GSb to strengthen co-governance at Hanze.