30 October 2024
The faculty board of the Faculty of Social Sciences encourages students and staff to participate in the national protest against the budget cuts for education on Thursday the 14th of November.
In relation to the budget cuts, the faculty is working on developing a future-ready plan with attention to quality, individuals, and environment. The groundwork for this plan was been completed during a corporate retreat at the beginning of September which was attended by the directors, the heads of departments of the Faculty Office, a delegation from the co-determination group, and the faculty board. The first designs for the sub-plans will be presented during a follow-up meeting on the 4th of November. Further information about this will be shared soon.
Strong participation is essential for our university and faculty community. As a special university, Radboud University can deviate from the Higher Education and Scientific Research Act (Wet op het Hoger onderwijs en Wetenschappelijk onderzoek, from here onwards referred to as WHW) within its governance. However, the current deviations can create ambiguity and lead to differences in interpretation, which subsequently can lead to discussions on procedures rather than content. That is why Radboud University started the future-proof co-determination project, which has the aim to formulate a proposal that is as close as possible to the WHW, while keeping in mind our identity and the legal personality of our university, in order to create more clarity and uniformity.
The first pick-up session will take place on the 6th and 7th of November. It is an opportunity for stakeholders (Executive Board, faculty boards, works council, representative councils, university student council, faculty student councils, and programme committees) to provide input. The board has identified the most important bottlenecks and concerns, and will discuss these during the pick-up session.
16 October 2024
The board discussed the letter on managing international student flows that Minister Bruins sent to the House of Representatives on October 15. In the letter, the minister announces his intention to tighten the criteria for the Foreign-Language Education Assessment. The board emphasizes the importance of internationalisation for education and research. The potential impact of the Foreign-Language Education Assessment will also be discussed with the Executive Board, the deans of other faculties, and directors.
The board reviewed the progress of the Future-proof FSW Plan. During a meeting on November 4 with directors, department heads, and a representation from the participatonial bodies, the board will discuss the implementation of several measures and will develop an action plan for others.
The board calls on students and staff to join the demonstration against higher education budget cuts at the national rally on Thursday, November 14, in Utrecht.
On November 13, there will be a away day for professors and supervisors. The board reviewed an initial draft of the programme, which will be further refined.
9 October 2024
Over the next five years, all Social Sciences programmes will undergo a visitation. To inform the programmes about each step in the visitation process, as well as the roles and responsibilities involved, a manual for educational visitations has been prepared. This document outlines all steps in the visitation process and specifies the actions expected of each party. The board reviewed and subsequently approved the manual, which will be shared with programme directors.
The board is establishing the FSW Professional Services Award. This annual award will recognise an FSW staff member in a supporting role. Through this initiative, the board aims to show additional recognition for the contributions of support staff. Employees may be recognised for their individual contributions to the faculty, excluding scientific achievements.
Additionally, the award may be granted to an employee as a representative of a unit within the faculty that has made a significant contribution. The award winner will be selected by drawing lots from all nominees. The board has opted not to establish a selection committee, partly to avoid additional workload. The FSW Professional Services Award will be presented at the annual Christmas gathering.
2 October 2024
The Executive Board determined Radboud University’s educational vision at the end of 2023. The educational vision’s goal is to provide direction and stability in the development and innovation of education and the choices that Radboud University makes in order to achieve this. The Executive Board has requested the faculties to use this vision as a guide for (the further development of) their education. The board will discuss what the upcoming years’ focal points will be for the continuing development of education at the Faculty of Social Sciences, and in which ways these points will fit in with the university’s vision. This plan has been developed based on input from education and programme directors, and degree programme committees, and it will continue the process of education renewal that we had previously started.
The financial prognosis for 2024 shows a serious deficit. This is the reason for the faculty board’s decisions of the 25th of September, such as the request for everyone to reduce the amount of unused leave. The board will discuss how we will further give shape to decreasing unused leave.
Public decisions list
9 October 2024
- The board approves the FSW Education Visitation Manual.
- The board decides to establish an award for Professional Services.
2 October 2024
- The board will determine the focal points for FSW’s educational development in relation to Radboud University’s educational vision.
- The faculty board agrees to the course of action regarding the leave balance of 2024 and requests the HR department to take this course of action.
- The board will determine FSW’s annual plan and budget for 2025.