However, that’s still a way off. MOSA is in its very early stages, acknowledges Ilan Feron, first year at the University College Maastricht and brand-new chair pro tem. The first thing to do is “find an active core of about ten people”, by launching actions they can join. The first one? “We’re sharing a petition from LSvb about students at university medical centres who are not receiving the work placement pay they are entitled to. And we want to show our solidarity for the relay strikes in higher education”, which were announced by the education unions last week.
Opportunities
But is the average Maastricht student interested in a union? After all, the existing Maastricht Student Union (MSU) seems to have faded into obscurity – there are occasionally posts on social media, but the website is offline and there seems to be no response to emails or messages. Two years ago, the LSvb expelled the MSU, as it was no longer attending national meetings. “They were already asleep then,” LSvb chair Abdelkader Karbache responded when asked.
But Feron does see opportunities. According to him, there are already 40 student members. There is also a WhatsApp group of about 45 Maastricht students who, just like him, joined the demonstrations against the cuts to higher education last year. Potential new members, he hopes. They will be needed, too, as an aspiring membership of the LSvb requires more than just a founding act and statutes: “Unions who are members must be able to cover their financial costs,” explains Karbache. He does hope that the southern-most university city in the country is successful. “We want to be able to represent students in Maastricht as well, as it makes us more effective.”
Elections
Maastricht is already represented in the other student organisation, the traditionally more right-wing, intercity organisation Interstedelijk Studentenoverleg (ISO). Student party DOPE is a member. Speaking of student parties: does Feron expect to see MOSA take part in future university elections? “It’s possible,” he is careful to respond. “But we could also work together with existing parties.”