Alternative Perspective 2028: Mark Rutgers and Casper de Jonge in discussion
Under extreme pressure and in agreement with the Faculty Board, the programme chairs, represented by a core group, have worked over recent weeks on additional recommendations based on the Perspective 2028 plan. On 1 December they presented their Alternative Perspective 2028 to the Faculty Board. The chair of the core group Casper de Jonge and dean Mark Rutgers review the process.
How did the process go?
Casper: ‘Within a few days of the Faculty Board inviting us to draw up an advisory document, a group of eight programme chairs formed a core group and got to work. In the six weeks we had, intensive discussions were held and the core group organised meetings for clusters of programme chairs on particular themes (such as European languages and cultures, and regional studies). A first version of the advisory document was discussed during a meeting with all the programme chairs.’
‘All the programmes want the unique richness and diversity of our faculty to be preserved, and they were very willing to help one another if this would mean that the so-called “small programmes” could continue to exist. It is inspiring to see how much brainpower and solidarity our community is able to muster.’
Mark: ‘The Faculty Board is happy with the positive and cooperative attitude of the programme chairs in reaching an agreement about how to deal with the substantial cutbacks facing us. In a short time the core group managed in good harmony to formulate clear recommendations that will allow us to move forward. We are all agreed that tough choices have to be made, and this substantive input will help make our plan stronger and more broadly supported.’
What were the major challenges?
Casper: ‘The biggest challenge is, of course, to close a gap of 5 to 6 million. There is no easy way to do that. A further challenge is that our faculty is made up of different institutes with different ideas and traditions. But in the process over recent weeks enormous energy has been generated that has brought many programmes and people closer. The benefit is that programmes now have a better understanding of one another and innovative ideas for partnerships have been generated in good harmony in all kinds of different combinations. Not everyone will always agree with everything, but the result is a set of recommendations that are broadly supported and based on solidarity.’
What are the main conclusions from the Alternative Perspective 2028?
Casper: ‘In short, we propose to maintain our faculty’s unique and diverse expertise at BA level and in programme tracks, but within a healthy framework. The different programmes are prepared to implement together a range of measures to make this possible, such as: more shared teaching, extending teaching time, reducing courses, and more efficient management by clustering committees. In addition, we advise the Faculty Board to implement measures on a phased basis: not to take any irreversible decisions, but start with the measures proposed and look carefully at how these progress. And in the next phase take the time to develop an innovative vision for the long term.’
Mark: ‘The Alternative Perspective 2028 is a constructive contribution to solving a complex puzzle. We greatly appreciate the principle of maintaining as many educational programmes and as much expertise as possible. This is, of course, also the wish of the Faculty Board. The proposals put forward give us perspectives for more shared education and greater collaboration among programmes on other fronts. It remains a firm principle for us that there should be no substantial increase in the pressure of work in teaching and that there will still be enough time and space for research.’
What will the collaboration look like after this process?
Mark: ‘The ball is now in the court of the Faculty Board to decide which measures will be incorporated in the definitive plan. We will base our decisions on a further detailed calculation that is now being worked on by the Analysis Group (comprising colleagues from Financial Economic Affairs, Educational Advice and Quality Assurance, and Education and Student Affairs). We will make every effort to present a new version of Perspective 2028 to the programme chairs and the rest of the organisation in January.’
Casper: ‘ Naturally, we hope that the central aim of our advice will still stand, namely maintaining a large number of independent programmes and tracks, because the programmes are happy to take difficult measures with that aim in mind.’
Mark: ‘There are, of course, different considerations that have to be taken into account in the future planning. We are also looking at the support functions, which are indispensable for research and education at our faculty – an opinion that is shared by the Core Group –, and developments at other faculties throughout the country. In formulating the definitive plan, our aim is to follow the advice of the programme chairs as far as possible.’
‘We very much regret that staff and students are still left in uncertainty about the measures to be taken. On top of that, the budget of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has now been approved in the House of Representatives, due to some opposition parties working with the coalition parties. We still have to wait for the precise effects at university and faculty level, but this is sombre news. In the words of Casper van den Berg, chair of Universities of the Netherlands: "Academic research is the big loser in this deal, and that is particularly bad for the future of the Netherlands.” As the Faculty Board, we and our community will continue the fight.’
‘We aim to present a clear plan as soon as possible whilst not compromising on the care and attention that this process requires. We will keep staff informed via the Perspective 2028 web page. If you have any questions or comments, you can mail these to: perspectief2028@hum.leidenuniv.nl."
Members core group
Casper de Jonge (chair), Jenny Audring, Joost Augusteijn, Jenny Doetjes, Aya Ezawa, Egbert Fortuin, Jaap Kamphuis en Marika Keblusek.