Service councils are the representative bodies for the central services, such as ICTS, the university library, and MUO, where staff from departments like Legal Affairs and Marketing & Communications can participate. Although nearly enough candidates were found for all other services during last year's university elections, no one from the 'Berg' came forward, meaning there was no MUO service council. This bothered director Jeroen van Velzen of MUO, who asked the university's Executive Board for an additional election. “I like having a service council,” he said when asked. “No major decisions have been made in the recent period, but we are, for example, looking at integration with the hospital and are in the process of establishing an international office. I would like to involve the staff in that.”
Closer to the action
It seems that will now happen. After a call via the UMployee intranet and internal discussions, six candidates came forward. Why now and not a year ago? “I have only been here for two years,” says corporate recruiter Manon Souren. “Last year the elections actually slipped past me. But I think it's important for employees to have their voices heard.” Josephine Knegtering, from Marketing & Communications, has served on the service council three times before. Last year, she didn’t run because “after six years – each term lasts two years – I thought it would be good for others to take over”. After the call on UMployee, she decided to run again. "I feel involved in how things run in this building. It's nice to be a bit closer to the action as a council member."
Five candidates SSC
Staff at the Student Services Center (SSC) can also go to the polls for their service council in the next couple of days. Last year, only three candidates ran for four seats, so no election was held. Since then, two council members have left—one due to retirement and the other for personal reasons. This time, there’s more choice: there are five candidates.
MUO and SSC employees can still vote online until 1 PM on Friday. The results will be announced on UMployee later that afternoon.
Service council members serve a two-year term, but the newly elected will have a mandate until 2026 because of this by-election.
Peter Doorakkers