The Founding Students
"The Founding Students" is a student party that advocates for the interests of students at the University of Amsterdam by participating in the student council elections. We strive for a university where all students have a voice and feel represented. Through inclusivity, transparency, and engagement, we aim to positively influence decision-making and student life. Our mission is to implement structural improvements via the student council that benefit the academic, social, and financial well-being of all students.
Click on any motion below to see the parties explination
All lectures should be available online for everyone
Fully agree
Yes, definitely. We need to be more inclusive of students with disabilities. Furthermore, we want to welcome a diverse student population within our university where everyone feels at home. Some students don't have the financial means to avoid working during their studies, and not all students have the luxury of fitting their study schedule within their work schedule.
Students should have more flexibility to tailor their education so that it fits their capabilities and learning needs.
Students should have more flexibility to tailor their education so that it fits their capabilities and learning needs.
There should be mandatory attendance for tutorials
Fully disagree
Disagree. Attending tutorials should not be mandatory because students should have the flexibility to organize their studies in a way that suits their learning needs and capabilities. Clear standards, like the binding study advice (BSA), ensure that students take their studies seriously and seek the necessary support when needed. Students should have the freedom to choose the learning method that works best for them without impeding their progress.
As a way to curb the growth of the university, Dutch language courses should be a mandatory part of all programs
Neutral
It's important that students pursuing a Dutch-taught program have a good command of the Dutch language. Students without a pre-university diploma, a partial pre-university certificate in Dutch, or a B1 certificate in Dutch should demonstrate their language proficiency. This is already standard practice, so further expansion is unnecessary, but current requirements should be maintained.
The university should stop the prioritisation of students from outside the EU in regard to the university provided student housing
Neutral
It's important for the university to strike a balance between equal opportunities for all students and the pursuit of a diverse student population. When allocating student housing, fairness and justice should be ensured, taking into account both Dutch and international students.
The UvA should address problems such as systemic overwork and bad working conditions among its teachers by giving out more permanent contracts
Agree
All food options should be plant based by default
Disagree
The executive board of the university should be elected through an open election by the students and worker’s body
Neutral
Student & Workers Councils should have the final say in policy decisions
Neutral
The UvA should give more training to the teaching assistants
Agree
All board members of study associations should receive equal financial support from the University
Agree
The University must prioritise active diversity policies, including decolonization
Neutral
We believe that all study materials should align with the course content and priority should be given to materials relevant to the law curriculum. Diversity and decolonization are important, but they shouldn't come at the expense of the most relevant study material for the program, as that is not in the best interest of the students.
More investment is needed in interdisciplinary education (providing students with more than just one perspective on a particular subject, such as is done in honours, PPLE or IIS programs)
Agree
Yes, students should have more elective courses.
The Binding Study Advice (BSA) should be abolished
Disagree
No, the binding study advice (BSA) is an important measure to see if a student can handle the academic workload. A BSA of 42 credits is low enough to give students space to not stress too much about meeting the required credits, but high enough to give a realistic assessment of their suitability for the program and to motivate them to be engaged and committed from the start.
By setting clear standards, the BSA ensures that students take their studies seriously and seek the necessary support when needed. This prevents students from unnecessarily continuing in a program that may not suit them, ultimately saving them time and money. Maintaining the BSA ensures better alignment between students and the program, contributing to a more successful academic journey.
By setting clear standards, the BSA ensures that students take their studies seriously and seek the necessary support when needed. This prevents students from unnecessarily continuing in a program that may not suit them, ultimately saving them time and money. Maintaining the BSA ensures better alignment between students and the program, contributing to a more successful academic journey.
Programs should have the sole responsibility in deciding whether they teach in Dutch or in English
Neutral
Calling the police is an appropriate response by the university to deal with student protests and demonstrations
Neutral
It's a complex issue where the university must balance ensuring the safety of all involved and respecting the right to peaceful protest and freedom of speech. In some cases, police intervention may be necessary to maintain public order and ensure activities remain within legal boundaries. At the same time, it's important for the university to respect the freedom of demonstration and strive for open dialogue and engagement with its students.
The UvA should cut ties with fossil fuel companies like Shell
Neutral
Admission to programs with a limited student capacity should be based on selection procedure rather than random selection through a lottery system
Neutral
Having a physical accessibility university that provides equitable education for it’s students is a priority for the University
Agree
The canteen should be deprivatized
Neutral
The UvA should invest in more accessibility for students with functional limitations as well as sensitivity towards these students
Fully agree
Yes, the university should be accessible to everyone, and the UvA should do more for students with disabilities.
It is the government’s responsibility to provide mental health support for students. Therefore, the university should not spend extra resources on this
Neutral
It's essential that students receive the necessary support for mental health, regardless of who provides this help. Whether it's managed by the government or the university, what matters is that effective resources are available to help students. Collaboration between universities and the government could result in broader and better access to mental health care.
Students wishing to take honours courses should be able to do so based on their motivation, regardless of their grades
Neutral
The university should be allowed to limit the number of international students
Neutral
It's important for the university to find a healthy balance in the number of international students to maintain diversity and an international environment while ensuring there is enough space and resources for all students. The university should be able to respond to capacity challenges without imposing unnecessary restrictions that could limit valuable international perspectives.
The UvA should involve students in long term plans for study spaces and teaching facilities according to the expected changes in student population
Agree
The Numerus Fixus should be used to stopthe growth of the university
Neutral
Student councils should support occupations as a legitimate means of protest at the university
Disagree
The university lacks sufficient readily accessible gender-neutral toilets
Neutral
Academic freedom is the most important value to uphold for a university
Neutral
The UvA should offer free menstrual products at each campus
Agree
We certainly agree that a campus is a good place to address period poverty.