Wow, I've been the (by now not so) new chair of the Faculty's Representative Council (RC) since early September 2023 and have yet to introduce myself properly. My name is Wolf-Gero Lange, although you can leave out the Wolf if you want to address me. I work as an assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology, and my research focuses on (social) anxiety disorders.
Gero’s career in participational bodies
I started in 2019 as an ordinary RC member, and in September 2021, I became vice-chair. Four months ago, I switched roles with Lau Schulpen, who had been OC chair for 12 years until then, with tremendous dedication. As a term, 'The Representative Council' sounds vague and does not clarify what it is about. However, people often know the Works Council of the Radboud University, so consider us as its little sister at the faculty level.
During my first studies in social-pedagogical assistance, I got involved in participational bodies for multiple reasons. As a psychology student, I let that go, but after 'growing up with a regular job' for a while, I felt the urge to look at what happens behind the scenes of a faculty.
How does the RC operate?
The RC has many different facets: Firstly, every six weeks, we represent all faculty employees in the Faculty Joint Assembly (FGV), which also includes the Faculty Student Council (FSR) and the Faculty Board (FB). We listen to employee feedback that might indicate structural abuses or sound out opinions on decisions or plans of the FB. You can approach us if you notice something wrong or think we can improve it.
Officially, the RC must be consulted in appointments such as those of professors or directors. We must also approve faculty regulations, policy plans, and OERs. Additionally, we have the right to advise on organisational changes. Still, we can also ask questions separately and give solicited and unsolicited advice on all possible topics, which we do regularly.
Highlighted topics
One topic that puts me on edge is social safety. That topic has constantly been at the top of the FGV's agenda without us having to bring it up. In conversations with FB and those involved, it became clear how many layers the theme has and that no short-term or 'one-fits-all' solution does justice to the issues.
Besides social safety, I was intrigued by the observation that a new board can positively change the atmosphere in all layers of a faculty. I was also surprised by the fact that an architect of a building has the power to make desirable and necessary changes to a building impossible for two years. And that in the planning process, experiences with 'glass offices' or climate in the workplaces of two other new campus buildings were ignored.
An enthusiastic team
We currently have a lovely team of 'old hands' and 'new arrivals' in the RC who are all eager to tackle things and help shape the faculty. We held elections last year, and our term runs until Augustus 2025. But if you're getting curious somewhere halfway through, hitting me up for a coffee or joining the public FGV is much appreciated!