Student sports not more expensive after all, but in Delft concerns remain

Student athletes can breathe a sigh of relief: for the time being, they will not have to pay twice or three times as much for their sports pass, as universities and associations feared. Minister Bruins promised in the House of Representatives on 14 May that he will not enforce his ‘policy rule’ for now.

From 200 to 700 euros

That rule is that public money may not go to private activities. And the ministry sent a stricter interpretation of that rule to the Dutch education sector a month ago. The idea was that education money should not distort the private market, so students should pay a ‘market-based’ price for the sports facilities.

As a result, a sports subscription could cost 700 euros, university umbrella organisation UNL said last week, instead of 200 euros now. Students started protests and called on politicians in a petition to ‘keep sports affordable’.

Uncertainty remains for culture

The House of Representatives debated it on Wednesday afternoon. After critical questions, also from the coalition parties, Minister Bruins immediately changed his mind: he would not enforce his own policy rule for the time being, he promised. He agreed with the House that sports are good for educational performance, social contacts and the mental well-being of students.

‘It remains uncertain what will happen in the longer term’

He had not thought in advance that all kinds of things would become more expensive, Bruins said. His intention was only to clarify the policy rule.

Yet clarity on cultural activities is lagging. Theatre, music, dance, cabaret: all kinds of other student activities are also often indirectly subsidised by educational institutions, for example because they use a hall or theatre almost for free. But it remained unclear on Wednesday whether Bruins’ promise not to enforce the policy rule also applies to culture.

Questions in Delft City Council

Partly because of this, various factions in the Delft City Council remain concerned. On 15 May, Students of Technology in Politics (STIP), PvdA, D66 and GroenLinks submitted written questions (in Dutch) to the Municipal Executive.

STIP-Chair Sophie Wentink explains why: “I think it is important to ask questions now. The policy rule is still in force and it remains uncertain what will happen in the longer term. Our questions are not only about sports facilities, but also about cultural facilities and, for example, the Botanical Garden. If enforcement is done in the future, it could have major consequences for students and for the pressure on municipal facilities.”

The parties believe that the municipality of Delft should be critical of the policy rule, just like student cities such as Groningen and Utrecht, for example. The goal should be that the rule is completely ‘off the table’, according to Wentink.

She urges the municipality to continue to discuss this subject with TU Delft and other educational institutions. “We would like to gain insight into what the consequences would be if enforcement does take place and what this means for the accessibility and affordability of and pressure on sports and cultural facilities in Delft. This way we can anticipate this if necessary.”

HOP, Olmo Linthorst/Delta, Saskia Bonger