Board members of student organisations at Maastricht University, from sports clubs to social and academic societies, can apply annually for financial compensation in the form of “administrative months” (about 350 euros per month). The money comes from the UM Profileringsfonds, the same fund that supports students experiencing study delays due to extenuating circumstances – such as illness, family issues or pregnancy – or competitive sport careers.
Last academic year, the rules for student board members were tightened. Only those without study delays are now eligible for financial compensation. Previously, student board members were allowed to take up to one additional year beyond the set duration of their study programme (three years for a bachelor’s degree, one to four years for a master’s degree).
Treat equally
But there was no “sound justification” for this more lenient policy, explains Margriet Schreuders, director of the Student Services Centre (SSC). It didn’t apply to students facing extenuating circumstances or competitive athletes. Abandoning the policy not only ensures that everyone is treated equally, but also frees up “the necessary financial resources” to expand support. Since last academic year, non-EU students facing extenuating circumstances are also eligible for financial compensation through the fund.
Last academic year, 55 out of 354 applications from student board members were rejected based on the new rules, says Schreuder. Most of them eventually did receive financial compensation under a transitional arrangement, following protests from student associations whose candidates had accepted their board positions under the old rules. However, this transitional arrangement is no longer in place.
Strange
It’s a source of frustration for student associations, says Circumflex president Joost Mol. According to him, recruiting board members is becoming increasingly difficult. “Fewer people are willing to incur a year’s delay in their studies, especially given the looming penalty for students who take too long to complete their degree. Without financial compensation, it’s even less attractive, particularly for students who aren’t well off.”
Only one UM student on this year’s Circumflex board is eligible for financial compensation. Other student associations are also critical of the new rules. Julie Caenen, president of KoKo, notes that only two KoKo board members are entitled to financial support from UM. And Saurus president Joep Eijkens characterises the new rules as “strange. On the one hand, UM encourages students to be actively involved in university life, but this makes it harder.”
Rise of Zuyd students
Student associations have noticed a decline in the number of UM students on their boards. At the same time, there has been a rise in the number of board members from Zuyd University of Applied Sciences. Three out of seven board members at KoKo and Tragos are from Zuyd, and Circumflex currently has four Zuyd students on its board. “We’ve had Zuyd students on the board before, but never in these numbers”, says Circumflex president Mol. Zuyd students aren’t entitled to financial support through the UM Profileringsfonds, but they do receive compensation from Zuyd University of Applied Sciences.