The four PhD students are aided by a lawyer, who is provided courtesy of the trade union Abvakabo, and supported by the PhD association P-NUT. The four AIOs want to complete their doctorate thesis in the company of their own thesis supervisor, Professor Geert Versteeg. The group of Van Swaaij is not suitable for their work. The chairman of P-NUT, Alexander Le Fèbre, speaks of a complex situation. 'There is just no good solution for the PhD students and it is for the dean to solve this problem.'
Talks with Bliek, which were held in a hostile atmosphere according to the students, did not work out. Last June they had already decided to question Bliek's decision and appealed to the Executive Board. The hearing finally took place last Tuesday.
The ball is now in the court of the Executive Board, which will make a decision regarding Bliek's plans based on advice from the committee chairman. When the verdict will follow is not known, but those involved want to know as soon as possible what the decisive answer will be. The four did not comment on whether going to court is one of the options when the appeal is ruled out.
PhD-association P-NUT assumes that this case is not an exception. Le Fèbre: 'The dean acts as though the reorganization at TNW is going flawlessly, but this example shows this to be far from the truth.' Le Fèbre first got the impression that the PhD students involved in the reorganizations were well looked after, but has formed a different opinion lately. 'The game is tough and we cannot accept that as a PhD association.' He appeals to his supporters to join a trade union. 'This situation shows how important that is. You can appeal for juridical help if necessary. '
According to Anneloes Blanken of P-NUT the majority of PhD students thinks that all's well that ends well. 'But it doesn't,' she says. She points out that Abvakabo has offered to help other PhD students who do not agree with the consequences of the reorganization plans.
Faculty Dean Bliek did not want to comment on the matter until the Executive Board has come with an answer.
Trans. H. van Dorp
