We also have to deal with the announced budget cuts, that invoke dilemmas. Are we going to look at how we can be as efficient as possible or are we going to try to reverse (a portion of) the cuts? We are doing both at the moment, also because a part of the cuts are not due to the coalition plans, but are due to an expected decline in student numbers. We are a part of the demonstrations in Nijmegen and Den Haag and we are participating on an administrative level in discussions on how to persuade the politicians. And yes, we are continuing our own plans for budget cuts. We have made choices based on content and strategy, with a focus on our people and the quality of research and education. That sounds paradoxical and raises questions. ‘How can you prevent an increase in work pressure when you have to do the same work with fewer people?’ or ‘How can you keep the quality of your work in check when you have less time to do it?’. At the moment, several teams are working hard on solutions to realise this (for more information, please see the relevant news items).
December is also the month of festivities. We have celebrated Sinterklaas last week and other holidays are right around the corner. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanoeka, a solstice, Pancha Ganapati, New Year’s Eve or something else, for many it means a cozy get together with family and or friends. At the same time, we have to deal with tensions and uncertainty, that for some of us cast shadows on that coziness. As I’ve said, it depends on many factors whether you see the light or the darkness, so let’s be there for each other. If we all shine a light, it will be less dark for everyone.
