The Governing Board supports the proposals offered two weeks ago by the Sisterman committee. The core of the proposals involves removing a maximum of 160 FTEs (full-time equivalent positions) in the service sector of the UT in order to save 9 million Euros. In the fall, after deans and service departments heads have written their own proposals, it will become clear exactly how many people will lose their jobs. The committee's report can be found on the intranet.
'At this time we cannot completely see the global picture,' Governing Board member Huib de Jong said when asked about the number of forced dismissals. In the three public meetings held yesterday about the UT-wide reorganization the Governing Board emphasized that it will do its best to prevent firings, but De Jong acknowledged that they will probably fail to do so. He claimed that the 'selective halt on hiring', which was established last year by not renewing contracts, maximizing attrition and no longer hiring temporary workers, has already reduced the UT workforce. In addition, measures such as permanent and temporary relocations have eased the pressure. Nonetheless, it is very likely that several dozen staff members will lose their jobs.
Currently the UT has 1061 FTEs, which are filled by 1284 people. The Governing Board firmly denied that there is a possibility of a reduction of more than 160 FTEs, thereby rejecting recent claims by daily newspaper 'TC/Tubantia'.
The cutbacks are targeting 16 million Euros to supply the UT with the resources needed to handle the increasing competition between Dutch universities in the near future. As an example Huib de Jong reported that the University of Groningen has announced a large-scale publicity campaign in the Twente area in an effort to recruit new students.
In the near future the Governing Board will suggest ways to raise the missing 7 million Euro. According to De Jong, these will not target people but rather aim to increase efficiency and savings on projects. The distribution of FTEs over UT services is as follows: ICT (working title for the merger of CIV and the Dinkel institute) 33, Facilities Department 23, DiSC 11, FEZ 25, PA&O 11, Bureau Communication 8 and others (supporting staff in the faculties) 36.
According to the report, the afore-mentioned services will continue in a leaner form. Communications chooses a completely different way of working, letting professionalism come first and transferring some of its duties to the faculties. The policy bureau (staff and advisors of the Governing Board) will be disbanded in its current form and its administrative and secretarial duties will be reallocated. UT's management team (the deans and research managers) will be more involved in the UT's strategic policy and will get more support. New additions are the foundation of a Bureau Strategic Projects and the return of an UT Secretary. Strangely, in several cases employees will have to reapply for their own jobs.
