Participation bodies

The University of Groningen has an extensive system of consultative participation for students. Consultative participation is linked to three levels of management bodies. Each level has a board or a director, and each board or director consults with a consultative body. Consultative participation at the University of Groningen is based on the principle of joint consultation, which means that both students and staff are represented in the same consultative body and that both groups together consult with the relevant board. A well organized participation body is of great importance for the functioning of the university and contributes in guaranteeing the quality of education. A survey of all different consultative bodies is given below.

Participation on degree programme level

Every degree programme has a Programme Committee (OC) consisting of appointed student and staff members. These OCs are responsible for monitoring the quality of the relevant programme. The committee is responsible for:

• Advice on the education and examination regulations
• An annual review of the method of implementation of the Education and Examination Regulations
• Provide solicited or unsolicited advice to the Programme Board and the Dean on all matters relating to education in the degree programme.

On a regular basis, the OC also collects feedback on the courses among the students. The OC Mathematics does that by organizing the Mathmatical Feedback Meeting (MFM). The FMF organizes, together with the OC of Physics and Astronomy and other stakeholders, the Physics and Astronomy Feedback Platform (NSOS). During the NSOS and MFM ongoing courses and examinations of the relevant degree programmes are discussed. Questions about the curriculum in general, study support and other study-related matters are also debated.

Participation on faculty level

The Faculty Council is the highest representative advisory body within the Faculty. Its members are elected. The Faculty Board meets with the Council to discuss issues of staffing policy, Faculty finance, Health and Safety regulations, housing, organizational change, the budget, teaching and research. The Board needs the Council's consent in the Education and Exam Regulations (OER), in all other issues it has the right to make recommendations.

Participation on university level

The University Council is the University of Groningen’s representative body. As such the Council has a number of general powers and duties. Approval of the University Council is required in areas such as the Student Charter and rules in the field of safety, health and welfare.

Members of the Council are elected from the two factions within the university: staff and students. Both sections are represented by twelve people each. The student section is chosen from different factions: 'Lijst Calimero', 'Studenten Organisatie Groningen (SOG)' and the 'Onafhankelijke Studentenraad (OSR)'.

Bètastuf

The Bèta Studenten Federatie (Bètastuf) is the governing body for all student representatives to the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Each month representatives of the OCs, the student associations and the Faculty Council come together. During the meeting faculty-wide changes, problems and developments are discussed. The Bètastuf is chaired by the Executive Organ of Bètastuf (BOB). Furthermore, the Bètastuf writes different notes per year in which it offers the view of the students FMNS about a current topic. These notes are given to the Executive Board to take into consideration.

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