Hugo Barbas, as member of the Executive Board (CvB) responsible for the UT's financial affairs, will quit the CvB as of 1 April. Barbas, barely a year on the job, does not want to bear responsibility for the rigorous economy drive that cuts the institute 'to the bone'.
Barbas is confronted by a shortage of 9 million euro on the regular UT-budget for 2002. As yet no cover has been found for this deficit. And although, according to the departing administrator, such a deficit 'can be handled by the UT', if the UT wants to implement its real estate plan a loan of 120 million euro is needed. The consequence of that is an extra structural item on the budget of 13.6 million euro annually in interest and payment. This amount cannot be coughed up by the UT without help from the education secretary, or by radical cutbacks and reorganisation.
Barbas does not want to take on such operations, which touch the heart of the institute. And, the real estate problem has mainly been caused by the ministry's course of action in 1995. In that year the universities received all real estate for free, but without sufficient funds for upkeep and renovation - overdue in part. According to the board the UT was treated disproportianately compared to other universities.
Within the executive board there is a difference of opinion concerning the chances for help from The Hague for the financial crisis in Twente. CvB-president van Vught - as well as Supervisory Board president E. van Amerongen - are moderately optimistic about the outcome of a discussion with Minister Hermans, planned for 25 March. Van Vught: 'We have been invited by the secretary, that could be a sign.' Barbas does not expect a conclusive solution to come from this consultation and has drawn his conclusions now.
Two weeks ago Barbas announced his leaving in the UT Management team meeting (deans and scientific directors). Last week on Monday an announcement was placed on the UT-intranet and on Tuesday Barbas made a statement in the University Council. The departure of the financial man was a surprise to the UT-community and shows up the relationships both internally and externally. The university council does not want to agree to the further real estate investments under these conditions, and consequently the renovation schedule is put under even more pressure. The local authority in Enschede has given the UT until no later than 4 March 2008 to adapt its outdated buildings to the legal requirements set down in the environmental, health and safety regulations.
The university council will send a letter to secretary Hermans because of Barbas' leaving. The council writes amongst others: 'The university council endorses the seriousness of the issue recognised by him (Barbas, ed.) and urgently asks the secretary, in consultation with the administrators of the University of Twente, to look for asolution for the unwanted and maybe unforeseen consequences of ministerial policy of the past decades.'
