Update Executive Board: Working groups looking at measures to absorb cuts
The Schoof cabinet has presented its budget. As expected, higher education is facing severe cuts. In the coming period, the Executive Board will regularly look at the consequences of what it deems an irresponsible policy.
In these updates, we will let you know how we are dealing with the impact of the announced government cuts. As the previous update on internationalisation showed, much is still unclear and uncertain.
The Executive Board and faculty boards met on 17 October to discuss the preliminary findings of the three internal working groups: cost, structure and benefits (see earlier post and below). The groups comprise specialists from faculties, expertise centres and Administration and Central Services who are considering possible measures to absorb the effects of the cuts.
Martijn Ridderbos leads these groups on behalf of the Executive Board. He said the following about the meeting on 17 October: ‘It was a good, constructive meeting where we explored short- (starting from 2025), medium- and long-term (2026 and beyond) measures.
‘But we are not there yet. As the Executive Board, we think it is too early at this point to decide on concrete measures for the short- and medium-term. We want to consider this carefully and come up with clear assignments, and that takes more time. We will then inform not only the faculty boards but also management of the expertise centres and Administration and Central Services.’
We will provide more information in these updates once a decision has been taken.
The three working groups have the following assignment:
- Organisational structure: this group is examining the extent to which a change in structure can bring cost savings.
- Costs: this group will make suggestions on how to save money for all units and sections of the university.
- Benefits: this group is looking at proposals to increase our income through research organisations, contracts with third parties and other sources.