Mina Todorovska (20)

Chair and portfolio holder of strategy & policy and staff & organisation. Education: Business Information Technology bachelor.

‘I was quite young when I rounded off my bachelor’s. Before starting my master’s, I needed a new challenge. I didn’t immediately think of a board year, but at Student Union, I can do something for the UT community. As chair, I manage the strategy & policy and the staff & organisation portfolios. I craft visions and strategies into long term policy decisions for the board. I also handle questions from associations about their recognition or continuation.

I also act as contact between the executive board and the SU. We meet once a month. My priorities lie with ‘student activism’. We see that students set a high bar for themselves. They want to be active, but in a serious manner, for instance towards companies. As SU, it is our task to facilitate those needs. That’s why we have the ‘More than a Degree’ campaign, for instance. We notice that many associations struggle with falling membership numbers. I want to help them retain their right of existence, and support the boards in finding new board members. In my future career, I’d like to have a role in a leadership position. The Student Union is the perfect try-out for that. If I learn to successfully navigate through obstacles and can do something for students, I consider my board year a success.’

Jonathan Slik (21)

Portfolio: finance, accommodation and business management
Programme: bachelor’s in Technical Medicine

‘My parents once did a board year as well, so it was never a question of whether I would do this, but when. Now the opportunity is here, and I want to make the most of it. And that means more than forty hours a week. As portfolio holder for finance, I am responsible for the budget and for accommodation. That includes not only campus facilities, but also locations outside UT, such as the Pakkerij and the Watersports Complex. I monitor the SU’s finances and our budget. I also look at buildings on campus. During a renovation, for instance, what do students want and what does UT want? Those interests need to be balanced.

As we all know, UT must cut costs. My task is to make sure we achieve the same goals with less money. That sometimes means giving things up. The UnionShop will disappear from the Bastille and will fall under Marketing and Communication. We want to be as efficient as possible without burdening students. That takes creativity and collaboration. We decide what we bring back, for example Create Tomorrow, and what can stay as it is. These discussions have been going on within the SU for a while, but our board is taking the actual decisions.

There is an additional challenge. All SU board members take on tasks from the communication, internationalisation and wellbeing portfolio. Extra assignments, in other words. That means I need to learn to put less on my plate and to hand things over. Another personal learning point is maintaining my relationships and contacts. That matters to me, so time management becomes very important.

Luckily I work in an organised and detailed way, which is useful when dealing with finances and buildings. It is serious work, but great fun. If I can say afterwards that I enjoyed this year with this board, then it has been a success.’

Lars Laverman (21)

Portfolio: sport and culture
Programme: bachelor’s in Technical Medicine

‘To be honest, a board year was not part of my plan. Friends and housemates pulled me deeper into student life. Through conversations with former board members, I found out that this might be something for me, because I want to grow personally and professionally. I am responsible for everything related to sport and culture on campus, and I deal with sport and culture facilities. The priority is to keep sport affordable for every student.

I am a strong communicator, which helps, because this role connects many parties. This year is also a journey of discovery, since many topics appeal to me. I do not yet know what direction I want to take later. This board year will hopefully help me find out.’