Vrijmoedige Studentenpartij
The Vrijmoedige StudentenPartij (VSP) is the student party for academic freedom! Open debate should be the norm at the university. Everyone should have the freedom to explore ideas, ask questions and share opinions, without fear of being canceled for expressing unpopular opinions. The Vrijmoedige StudentenPartij fights for a university in which critical thinking is paramount, and in which we dare to question the status quo together. Because only through discussion can we move forward!
In addition to academic freedom, the VSP at the UvA is also committed to preserving the Dutch language. More and more communication from the UvA, studies, and parts of studies, are 'anglicized'. There is nothing wrong with good English, but Dutch is our mother tongue and should not disappear. The VSP's spearhead is that studies, including essays, exams and theses, should always be able to be made in Dutch.
Thirdly, the VSP wants to 'keep the UvA whole'. Over the past year, various groups of demonstrators have caused a lot of destruction and obstruction during their demonstrations. Demonstrating is a crucial fundamental right, but destruction is not part of it. The interests of the student who wants to study must prevail in this.
Other key points are: further participation of students in decision-making (including decision-making authority), quality and excellence above drawing lots and motivation, limiting internationalization and the unbridled influx of international students, and maintaining a diverse range of products in our canteens (including meat).
Finally, the current UvA, as well as the CSR, is characterized by a very ideological progressive-left approach. The VSP wants to break into this by shifting the course more towards the center, so that more students feel represented by the UvA and the student council.
Click on any motion below to see the parties explination
The UvA should place greater emphasis on protecting and promoting academic freedom
Fully agree
No progress without academic freedom. The freedom to think, speak, and explore—even when it challenges—is essential to science, education, and social change. Censorship stifles, freedom enlightens.
All lectures should be available online for everyone
Fully agree
More investment is needed in interdisciplinary education (providing students with more than just one perspective on a particular subject, such as honours, PPLE or IIS programs)
Agree
The UvA should take a firm stance against the government’s cuts in higher education
Disagree
This is not primarily a matter for the University, but for democracy, embodied by the House of Representatives and the Senate. However, the UvA must make a strong effort to ensure that, despite any budget cuts, the quality of education is maintained.
The Binding Study Advice (BSA) should be abolished
Fully disagree
It is important to apply selection. Everyone should get a chance at the University after a VWO or HBO propaedeutic, but it is also good to apply a lower limit, in the form of the BSA. Customization must of course remain possible for exceptional cases,
Calling the police should be an appropriate response to deal with student protests and demonstrations at the university
Fully agree
Last year, demonstrations on campus have escalated in ways that seriously threaten the security of our university community. It presents a major security risk, especially given the damage already done.
The University of Amsterdam must remain focused on its core mission: education. It is not equipped to handle volatile situations involving unknown actors. That responsibility lies with the police—professionals trained to manage escalation and ensure public security. They must be called upon promptly when threats arise.
There can be no studying without security. A university should be a space for free thought, not fear. We must protect open dialogue—not allow it to be drowned out by intimidation and chaos.
The University of Amsterdam must remain focused on its core mission: education. It is not equipped to handle volatile situations involving unknown actors. That responsibility lies with the police—professionals trained to manage escalation and ensure public security. They must be called upon promptly when threats arise.
There can be no studying without security. A university should be a space for free thought, not fear. We must protect open dialogue—not allow it to be drowned out by intimidation and chaos.
The Numerus Fixus (a limitation in the number of students admitted) should be used to stop the growth of the university
Agree
Not for every study, but for some studies this may be an appropriate tool.
The UvA should involve students in long term plans for study spaces and teaching facilities according to the expected changes in student population
Fully agree
The VSP stands for more student participation.
Peaceful occupations should be considered as a legitimate means of protest at the university
Fully disagree
We believe in peaceful protest. An occupation is not a peaceful act—it's a disruption. Where is the peace when students feel unsafe walking into their own University?
There is nothing peaceful about taking over shared spaces. Universities are meant to foster dialogue, not to be held hostage by those who think occupation is a substitute for discussion.
Some may compare occupations to past civil rights protests, like Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat. But that comparison fails. Rosa Parks used civil disobedience to directly challenge a law that upheld segregation. Her action matched the goal—equality in public seating. In contrast, occupying a university only makes sense as a tactic if the goal were to promote the occupation of universities themselves. That is not the case.
Let’s stand for true peace: debate, without occupation.
There is nothing peaceful about taking over shared spaces. Universities are meant to foster dialogue, not to be held hostage by those who think occupation is a substitute for discussion.
Some may compare occupations to past civil rights protests, like Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat. But that comparison fails. Rosa Parks used civil disobedience to directly challenge a law that upheld segregation. Her action matched the goal—equality in public seating. In contrast, occupying a university only makes sense as a tactic if the goal were to promote the occupation of universities themselves. That is not the case.
Let’s stand for true peace: debate, without occupation.
The UvA should cut ties with Israeli institutions
Disagree
All food options should be plant based by default
Fully disagree
Strongly disagree. We love meat—it’s flavorful, nutritious, and essential on our plates. It must never be removed from the canteen, as it’s a choice we deserve to make. Just thinking about it makes us hungry!
Student & Workers Councils should have the final say in policy decisions
Fully agree
The VSP stands for more student participation, including decision-making authority.
Students wishing to take honours courses should be able to do so based on their motivation, regardless of their grades
Fully disagree
According to the VSP, quality and excellence must prevail here.
The UvA should offer free menstrual products at each campus
Neutral
It is the government’s responsibility to provide mental health support for students. Therefore, the university should not spend extra resources on this
Neutral
Neutral. This is important, but many resources have already been made available for this from the UvA.
All board members of study associations should receive equal financial support from the University
Disagree
All board members of study associations must receive financial support from the University, but this depends on size, activities and relevance.
The university should stop the prioritisation of students from outside the EU in regard to the university provided student housing.
Fully agree
This is unfair. The Dutch student also deserves a fair chance.
The UvA Leadership should strongly oppose governments’ policy plans to reduce the number of international students
Fully disagree
Current UvA House Rules should be amended to ensure that students can fully express themselves politically, culturally and socially
Neutral
Social safety can never be fully guaranteed by house rules. Political freedom at the University should be promoted.
The UvA should give more training to the teaching assistants
Neutral
Admission to programs with a limited student capacity should be based on selection procedure rather than random selection through a lottery system
Fully agree
According to the VSP, quality and excellence must prevail here.
The UvA should cut ties with fossil fuel companies like Shell
Fully disagree
The canteen should be deprivatized.
Disagree
The University must prioritise active diversity policies and include decolonial perspectives in the curriculum
Fully disagree
The UvA should invest in more accessibility for students with functional limitations, such as guiding lines for people with visual impairment, as well as sensitivity towards these students
Agree
There should be mandatory attendance for seminars/tutorials
Disagree
In the case of lectures, these should be abolished completely. Instead, all lectures should be made available online. In the case of tutorials, (more flexible) customization should be applied.
As a way to curb the growth of the university, Dutch language courses should be a mandatory part of all programs
Agree
In principle a good idea. Exceptions reserved of course. Customization offers a solution here.
The university should be allowed to limit the number of international students.
Fully agree
The UvA should strive to incorporate a broader range of ideological perspectives into its curricula.
Fully agree
The UvA should address problems such as systemic overwork and bad working conditions among its teachers by giving out more permanent contracts.
Neutral
Programs should have the sole responsibility in deciding whether they teach in Dutch or in English
Fully disagree
English is fine, but Dutch should always remain an option for Dutch students at this Dutch university.
The UvA should comply with the ethical assessments made by its independent committee on third-party collaborations, including cutting the ties with institutions found to be complicit in human rights violations
Neutral
The university lacks sufficient readily accessible gender-neutral toilets.
Fully disagree
'male and female created He them.' - Genesis 1 vers 27b (King James)
The executive board of the university should be elected through an open election by the students and worker’s body
Fully agree
The VSP stands for more student participation, including decision-making authority.