Banners, posters, presentations, drinks, e-mails. Every means possible is used to get the student electorate to vote for their representatives in the University Council (UR). Still possible until noon tomorrow, online: www.utwente.nl/uraad/en.
But what is it all about?
The university council is the central participation body of the UT and consists of 9 members of staff and 9 students. The students elect their representatives for the UR each year and the employees do that every two years. This year only the student section is elected.
The executive board has the duty to keep the council well-informed and has to ask it for advice on a number of issues, e.g. the budget, before implementation. The most import power of the university council is the right to agreement; withouth agreement from the UR the executive board cannot implement certain plans, like setting up or abolishing educational programmes, changing the graduation support regulation for students and reorganising faculties or services. In addition the UR has the right to information and initiative.
The UR consults and negotiates with the executive board in the monthly formal consultation meetings, but also in preparatory committee meetings and other meetings with the board and its official support. In addition the UR keeps in touch with the faculty and service councils and with the unions in the consultation body personnel (OPUT).
The sitting council has representatives from three parties: CC (Campus Coalitie), DD (Democraten Drienerlo) and UReka. The nine available student seats have the following occupants: CC 2, DD 1, UReka 6. The CC and DD have both student and staff representatives, UReka only has students. With nine seats (students and staff) the CC is currently the largest party in the council, followed by UReka with six and DD with three seats.
