Universities hoping for a last-minute miracle in the Senate

Senator Daan Roovers from GroenLinks-PvdA opens the final debate on the education cuts by once again explaining to the Minister what’s at stake. Whether he’s listening is unclear. Minister Eppo Bruins of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has just arrived and is busily organising his papers and typing on his phone.

Roovers uses strong language. “Independent academic research and reliable information uphold the very foundations of the rule of law.” It’s easy to guess what happens when you undermine those foundations, she warns.

Procession

As the Senate kicks off its debate on EUR 1.2 billion in cuts, demonstrators gather at the House of Representatives for a march and protest, ending at the Senate.

Among them is Tim van der Hagen, Rector Magnificus and President of TU Delft’s Executive Board. In an interview with the Financieele Dagblad (daily financial newspaper), he says, ‘If there were ever a time when cuts are absolutely out of the question, it’s now.’ Also present are the Chairs of the Student Council and Works Council. The latter, Ronald Kuil, urges politicians on LinkedIn to ‘vote against this absurd decision’. On the same platform, Student Council Chair Step Kruisinga shares a photo of the TU Delft delegation.

What happens if the cuts go ahead? ‘Then the very structure that helps society solve major challenges will collapse’, says Caspar van den Berg, Chair of the UNL universities association.

‘Not 1.2 billion in cuts, but 1.2 billion in funding!’

Before the march heads to the Senate, MPs offer words of encouragement to the roughly 100 attendees. After all, the chances of the Senate blocking the cuts are slim – it hasn’t happened since 1907.

But this Government won’t be around for much longer, predicts GroenLinks-PvdA leader Frans Timmermans. “Soon, we’ll have the opportunity to invest in education instead of cutting back!” Laurens Dassen of Volt already has a figure in mind: “Not 1.2 billion in cuts, but 1.2 billion in extra funding!”

Miracle

Sandra Beckerman (SP) still holds out hope for a miracle in the Senate. “You need to put pressure on the parties that can make a difference,” she urges. In the House of Representatives, the Christian Democrat parties and JA21 have struck a deal to soften the education cuts. “Let those parties know: don’t do it!” Beckerman chants along with the crowd, “Don’t do it!”

Students and staff from the University of Twente are also present. They know the chances of success in the Senate are slim. But Twente is already feeling the impact of cuts. “We need to make ourselves heard,” says one protester. “The fact that they’re debating for so long today shows they’re taking this seriously.”

Outside the Senate, the demonstrators present a manifesto. Several senators attend the event, including members of the ruling coalition. The message is clear: don’t do it.

HOP, Olmo Linthorst/Delta, Saskia Bonger