The supervisory board, called in to resolve the lingering governmental crisis, had intensive conversations with the CvB, the scientific directors, deans, and University Council - individually and in groups. The ministry of Education was also consulted. The issues were all the organisational and financial aspects of the changes necessary.
According to the statement Hans Roosendaal will stand down from the CvB 'because of the criticism that has been levelled at the functioning of the entire executive board' and thus enables the supervisory board to come to a constructive solution.
From now until September next year Sistermans will directly lead three administrative committees, after which he will return to the supervisory board. These are the committees for regrouping the faculties, for the so-called 'turning over' of the research institutes, and for the restructuring of the services (also called centralisation/decentralisation).
The renovation of real estate and strengthening the primary processes education and research are also on the agenda. In addition, Sistermans will support the 'portfolio-analysis and the improvement of communication with the University Council'. The supervisory board wants the UT to be in a 'stable situation' by 1 September 2002. The processes of 'turning over' and 'centralisation/decentralisation' should be ready by the start of 2003.
The positions of the Rector/chairman and the other members of the CvB do not change, except for some adjustments to the portfolios.
The proposed five faculties are: Engineering Technology, Science and Technology, Information Technology, Business and Public Policy, and Behavioural Sciences. The statement does not mention which faculties are merging with each other. The five new deans will be appointed before 1 July.
Despite the governmental problems the supervisory board observes 'with pleasure that there is a high level of agreement within the university community on the strategic choices'. The statement ends with: 'the council hopes that these decisions will give a new impulse to the crucial innovations within the University of Twente and calls on the university community to do their best for this with energy and enthusiasm'.
