Viewpoints – Hanze medezeggenschap

Viewpoints Lijst STERK

From May 16 to 20, 2022, the elections for the Hanze Representation Council will take place. Below are the positions of our candidate group. The standpoints of the election program serve as the common thread for the actions of the fraction, they are committed to box as much as possible for each other. The positions are divided into seven themes that are very important to the group and to Lijst STERK as a whole. Do you agree with these themes? Then vote for Lijst STERK in the coming elections. Below are our themes for you!

Flexible studying

After two years of online education and limited opportunities to develop yourself alongside your studies, it is more important than ever to have the space for self-development. Students need freedom of choice to be able to develop themselves and thus become the best professional they can be. Only then can a student optimally share his or her talents with the world.

Key points in a row:

Blended education is the future;
Own study time, own responsibility.

In short

Lijst STERK is in favor of blended education. Physical education remains the norm and online education is seen as an addition. In addition, Lijst STERK believes that all lectures should be recorded. This way the student can look back at a lecture. Lijst STERK also believes it is important that students have the opportunity and space to take responsibility for their own study planning, therefore Lijst STERK pleads that for courses where attendance is mandatory, an alternative way is offered to gain access to the exam.

Blended education is the future

After two years of digital education and six months of hybrid education, Lijst STERK believes there should be a clear separation between physical and online education. Therefore, Lijst STERK is in favor of blended education, where physical is the norm and online education is seen as an addition. Lijst STERK believes that in consultation with the instructor things like coach conversations can be done online, but that this is not the norm.

Hybrid education not only causes a lot of extra workload for teachers, resulting in lower quality lectures, but it also takes away social interaction, which students learn a lot from. Therefore, physical education must become the norm again, but when it comes to components such as coaching conversations between students and teachers, customization is necessary. So there should also be an online option for it. In addition, Lijst STERK believes that all lectures should be recorded. Can a student not physically attend a lecture for reasons beyond his control? Then the student can watch the lecture again.

Own study time, own responsibility

It is a fact that student life has become much more complex in recent years. Students often have multiple jobs in addition to their studies and therefore often have a full agenda. Lijst STERK finds it important that students have the opportunity and space to take responsibility for their own study planning.

Lijst STERK therefore argues that for courses with compulsory attendance, there should always be an alternative way to access the exam. If there is a course that does not allow this, there must always be an opportunity to catch up on the missed lecture. In this way you offer students the opportunity to take responsibility and control over their own study time.

Student well-being

The corona pandemic has played a major factor in student well-being. Students experience various psychological complaints such as loneliness, depression and motivation problems. These complaints are exacerbated by the performance pressures experienced by students. It is important that students can focus more on their development during their studies and less on the duration of their studies. In addition, students sometimes do not know who they can turn to when they are struggling with these psychological symptoms. Therefore, Lijst STERK argues for more attention to this issue, so all students can focus on their development and they can easily obtain appropriate help.

Key points in a row:

No study stress;
Better communication student support.

In short

Lijst STERK advocates extending the postponement of the BSA to the end of the second academic year and extending the propaedeutic year by six months. This will allow students to experience less stress. In addition, it is important that students are aware of the various student supports that the Hanze offers. Lijst STERK therefore strives to use social (media) channels where students can be found the most and where this is communicated.

No study stress

Research has shown that as many as 76% of students experience performance pressure. This is often accompanied by other psychological complaints, such as stress and sleeping problems. The level of these problems is associated with poorer mental health and a higher risk of psychological complaints. Therefore, Lijst STERK pleads to lower the performance pressure for all students, so that they experience less to no study stress.

Lijst STERK finds it important that there is more focus on development and less on results. Students should be given time to settle down, get used to their new life in the student city and build a social network. Lijst STERK would like to reduce the pressure on studying by arguing for an extension of postponing the BSA to the end of the second year of study. Lijst STERK also argues for extending the propaedeutic year by six months, so that students do not have to experience the pressure to pass their propaedeutic year in one study year.

Better communication student support

Students are often unaware of where to go when they need help. There are various bodies within the Hanze UAS, such as the deanery and the student psychologists, but they are often difficult to reach. It can also be a barrier for students to go to them. Lijst STERK therefore argues for better access to appropriate help.

Lijst STERK wants to achieve this by paying more attention to promotion and communication towards the student. It is important that the promotion reaches the student, so Lijst STERK strives to use social (media) channels where students can be found the most. It is also important that the SLB'ers bring this to the attention of the students, because they are often in first line with the student.

Active student community

Student life is buzzing, students once again have the opportunity to broaden their horizons beyond their studies in a broad spectrum from rowing to theater. Many students are actively enriching their period of study with interaction at student organizations. Supporting an active student community is important for student development. Recognizing this and responding to it to improve and broaden education should be seen as essential. Lijst STERK will therefore work to provide space and fair rewards for students who work for social benefit, broadening of education and their own development.

Key points in a row:

Better facilitation;
Fair rewards.

In short

At the Hanze UAS there are numerous opportunities to be active in addition to your studies. However, these opportunities can still be much better facilitated and utilized. For this, broad recognition, good facilitation and fair remuneration are very important. Lijst STERK wants to continue to work towards this.

Better facilitation

It is important that the Hanze realizes that being active next to your studies is good for the development of the student, but also for the Hanze itself. After all, study associations can form a low-threshold bridge between education and the professional field. These professional contacts and practical experience should also be seen by staff members as a valuable addition to the student's development.

Therefore, Lijst STERK argues that the importance of study associations should be included in the general induction document of the Hanze.

Support from the Hanze in the form of space and flexibility is important to make the best use of the study associations. Lijst STERK wants more room in the study program to be active in, for example, a committee or board. This could be done, for example, by awarding a Personal Development point to students who are active in a committee in their first year or have attended a minimum number of formal study association activities. Also, study associations should have a good office facilitated where they can meet their members. It is important that each study association can have its own space for this purpose.

Fair remuneration

Lijst STERK thinks that undertaking extracurricular activities should be rewarded fairly. Think of a minor of 30 ECs for doing a board year at your study association. The process to achieve this was started last year, and will be continued by Lijst STERK. Furthermore, Lijst STERK will fight for a board scholarship that is at least equal to the tuition fee for that year, if the board has done the right work.

Internationalisation

International students: you see them more and more, but do these internationals have the same experience of student life as Dutch students? It is important that every student is treated equally, including the international student. Not only professionally, but also socially. So that every student has an equal chance to get the best out of themselves.

Key points in a row:

Fair housing;
Socially active community.

In short

International students are entitled to a good student time. Lijst STERK wants international students to be supported by the Hanze, and that affordable emergency housing and eventually full housing for international students in and around the campus is offered. Furthermore, Lijst STERK wants a clear map of where international students can go to build a network.

Fair housing

One of the biggest headaches for Groningen as a student city is housing. At the start of the academic year, the supply of housing is so limited that many students miss out on the opportunity to get their own place in time. Dutch students often have connections to arrange temporary housing, but international students are often at the mercy of couch surfing, expensive hotels or even tents.

Lijst STERK believes that the Hanze UAS should take its responsibility when it comes to supporting these international students. Therefore, Lijst STERK pleads for affordable emergency housing, and eventually full housing for international students in and around the campus. This will prevent hundreds of international students from ending up on the streets every year.

Socially active community

Having social contacts is a basic need. During the past two corona years, the consequences of limited social contacts have become quite clear. Whereas Dutch students have more opportunities to build up a social network through their own network, this is particularly difficult for international students. In order to make social contacts, they join study associations, but these are often not sufficiently equipped for this. Activities and get-togethers are often during the week, while study associations often find that international students have a greater need for activities at the weekend.

Lijst STERK would like to clearly map out where international students can go to build a (social) network. There should also be clear communication about where and who they can go to for various problems and questions, and more should be organized for international students at the Hanze.

Healthy Hanze UAS

Lijst STERK will strive to create awareness about the theme of “healthy study environment”. Currently, this is a subject that is still in the background within Hanze studies or is even not addressed. The Sustainable Development Goals could, for example, be more prominent within the Hanze Institutes. In addition, Lijst STERK wants the Hanze to offer more diversity in healthy options in the canteens and to take into account broader options in the canteen. Currently, among other things, few vegan or gluten-free options are offered, which does not limit a group of students.

Key points in a row:

Inclusive canteen offerings;
Lower prices.

In short

Lijst STERK argues for a healthier study environment at the Hanze. Think of a varied and cheaper assortment with attention for different dietary needs in the canteen. In this way, every student can get his or her supplies from the canteen, and no student will be limited in his or her options. But also consider workstations with both standing and sitting desks for students. This in turn is better for the physical and mental health of the student.

From exclusive to inclusive canteen

The Hanze's canteen range is currently quite limited. Not enough consideration is given to diets and allergies. Meat-free alternatives usually contain cheese and are therefore unsuitable for students with a lactose intolerance or vegan diet, for example. As a student with an allergy, you quickly fall by the wayside. This is obviously not the intention. Lijst STERK therefore argues for a more inclusive offering in canteens that takes more account of different dietary needs and allergies. Currently, few vegan or gluten-free options are offered, which excludes a large group of students.

If you are a student and want to eat healthy, you have to pay a lot. Lijst STERK thinks that there should be more affordable options for healthy food and especially for students with diets and allergies.

Lower prices

A healthy study environment requires a healthy body and mind of the student. Stand-sit desks are becoming a trend and are better for your body. Nowadays you can see many Hanze employees working at these desks, but there are no student workplaces with these kinds of desks yet. Lijst STERK wants to work for such workplaces for students.

Stand-up/sit-down desks provide alternation between standing and sitting work, and this leads to fewer health risks. The advantage of this type of desk is that students can be sharper, more alert and more creative at work. Less back, shoulder and neck pain and the biggest advantage is that the student can decide how to work, this is due to possibility to alternate between sitting and standing.

Inclusive education

Everyone has an equal right to education. Inclusive education is accessible to all students studying at the Hanze. It is important to create an educational climate where all students can develop to their full potential. In addition, students should develop themselves in a familiar environment. Lijst STERK wants to work towards this in the coming year.

Lijst STERK finds the subject of inclusion very important. To do justice to this topic, all decisions you make should consider how inclusive and diverse it is. Because of this, the topic of inclusion has common ground with all our previous positions, and we as Lijst STERK have included this topic in our positions.

Key points in a row:

Inclusive educational climate;
Gender-neutral toilets and cosy corners.

In short

Lijst STERK finds it important that every student can follow the curriculum. To achieve this, Lijst STERK wants to invest in a good intake for students from all disciplines. It is also important that more space is offered for cultural and religious activities. We would also like to see gender-neutral toilets facilitated, every door at the Hanze automated and the cosy corners expanded.

Inclusive educational climate

It is important that every student can follow the curriculum of the study properly and that the educational climate is accessible to everyone. Lijst STERK wants to invest in a good intake for students who came from mbo or vwo. Lijst STERK wants to change this by investigating whether it is possible to make the curriculum more flexible for students. This is to ensure more alignment with the program that the student has already had, or that the program becomes too challenging.

It is important that students broaden themselves culturally. Lijst STERK would like to see more room offered at the Hanze for cultural and religious activities. This space could be offered by going abroad for an internship or by taking a minor abroad. The requirements for this could be relaxed so that every student has the opportunity to develop themselves abroad and broaden themselves culturally there.

Gender-neutral toilets and cosy corners

It is important that every student feels welcome and that barriers are removed. In this way, students can develop themselves within a familiar environment, together with fellow students.

Gender-neutral toilets are already present at a number of Hanze locations. Lijst STERK would like to see gender-neutral toilets facilitated Hanze-wide, so that no student is faced with making a choice when they go to the toilet.

Cosy corners are pleasant places where students can meet and relax. For example, students can play board games there. The cosy corners are a good initiative and are present in a number of places within the Hanseatic League. Lijst STERK argues that the cosy corners should be extended to every building of the Hanze, and that there should be several per building, so that students can work and relax together in a living room setting.

Communication within Hanze UAS

The past few years have shown that there is a lot going on among students and that there are many problems that need to be solved. Some of these possible solutions have been mentioned earlier in this election program. It is important that these possibilities, when they exist, are also well communicated to the students. It is also important that the discussion is held as much as possible with students both inside and outside the representative council and that these possibilities are made known.

Key points in a row:

Good cooperation between students and staff;
Recognition and visibility of the participation.

In short

Communication and good cooperation is important and can be improved within the Hanze. Lijst STERK wants to improve the cooperation between students and lecturers by better instructing SLB students. Communication with the student is also important. It is important that the communication reaches the student and that it is complete, so the student is not left with questions after receiving the message. Furthermore, it is important that the students are aware of the co-determination, so that they have the possibility to influence the policy of their Institute and the entire Hanze.

Good cooperation between students and employees

There are many different names for the teacher who supervises you. Think of SLB'er, POB'er and coach. It seems different, but it implies the same thing. One student has weekly contact with his or her supervisor and another hardly ever. List STERK believes that the role of an SLB'er or POB'er should be clearer and that in this way students will get the help and guidance they need. An SLB'er should focus on your development rather than on graduation.

Therefore, List STERK would like to see that SLB'ers are better instructed and that the development of the student is central.

Recognition and visibility of participation

The most obvious body where communication between students and employees takes place is the co-determination, both central and decentralized. It is important that students are aware of the fact that they can influence the policy of their Institute and the entire Hanze in this way. Students can do this by taking a seat on the various councils or by voting for the students who can represent them. In the past two elections, the turnout percentage for the elections for the student section of the HMR has not exceeded ten percent. For the decentralized participation this is often even lower. This could definitely be improved by better communication from the Hanze through social media and physical promotion in the buildings.