‘Student board members shouldn’t have to pay tuition fees’

With money tight, fewer and fewer students are willing to take on a board role in an association or join a student council, states a manifesto that was handed over to the Dutch House of Representatives on Tuesday.

In the manifesto, the Dutch National Student Association (ISO, which has its roots in student representation) and the National Chamber of Student Associations (LKvV) are calling on politicians and universities to make it possible to work for a student board without paying tuition fees.

Since 2016, universities and colleges have been allowed to waive tuition fees for students who stop taking classes so they can work full-time on student councils or boards (whether for a study, student, or sports association). These students remain officially enrolled, so they can borrow money from DUO and keep their free public transport card. It makes doing something alongside your studies a lot more affordable.

But a survey by ISO and LKvV shows that a lot of universities and universities of applied sciences don’t actually adopt the rule. As a result, taking on a board role is becoming something only the ‘happy few’ can afford.

That’s a real shame, say the dozens of organisations backing the manifesto. “Student board members help build a connected student community – and that’s not something we should be cutting corners on,” says ISO chair Mylou Miché.

HOP, Hein Cuppen