Vrije Geest
We offer a list that allows students with different ideas to unite under one banner. Our main points are: 1. academic freedom 2. Making education more accesible for all 3. An open list that allows students join without having to agree with the other people listed for the elections.
Click on any motion below to see the parties explination
Students wishing to take honours courses should be able to do so based on their motivation, regardless of their grades
Agree
Grades are not a perfect indication of the capabilities of a student. We believe that the motivation of a student speaks louder than mere grades.
The UvA should invest in more accessibility for students with functional limitations as well as sensitivity towards these students
Fully agree
The UVA should do more to accommodate students with a disability. A transparent policy for accommodations for students with disabilities makes it easier for other students with disabilities to know which accommodations they can request. There's currently a lack of proper information regarding examinations and accommodations for students with disabilities.
It is the government’s responsibility to provide mental health support for students. Therefore, the university should not spend extra resources on this
Fully disagree
The government and the UVA have a shared responsibility of ensuring the proper mental well-being of students.
The university should be allowed to limit the number of international students
Fully disagree
The UVA profiles itself with being an international university, and they should embrace that instead of wanting to change that.
The UvA should involve students in long term plans for study spaces and teaching facilities according to the expected changes in student population
Fully agree
This is already happening, like it should.
The Numerus Fixus should be used to stopthe growth of the university
Fully disagree
The growth of students is not a problem within our faculty.
Student councils should support occupations as a legitimate means of protest at the university
Fully disagree
Blocking students from accessing their classes/the UVA campus, creates an unsafe environment and hurts the academic freedom which is necessary for a free academic dialogue.
Academic freedom is the most important value to uphold for a university
Fully agree
Clearly, look at our name.
The university lacks sufficient readily accessible gender-neutral toilets
Agree
Genderneutral toilets is a must to ensure that the university is a place where every student can study unhindered.
The UvA should offer free menstrual products at each campus
Fully agree
Students should always feel safe to go to classes, having a central point in the university buildings to (anonymously) get emergency menstruationsupplies can ensure that students don't have to miss classes.
As a way to curb the growth of the university, Dutch language courses should be a mandatory part of all programs
Fully disagree
The UVA profiles itself with being an international university, forcing students to force Dutch classes when the main language of the curriculum is English is silly.
All lectures should be available online for everyone
Fully agree
Nothing to lose, much to gain. Why not?
There should be mandatory attendance for tutorials
Disagree
This is the responsibility of students.
The university should stop the prioritisation of students from outside the EU in regard to the university provided student housing
Neutral
International students have no other option, so giving them priority in student accommodations is fitting. The problem we're facing is a lack of student housing, international students are not the problem.
The executive board of the university should be elected through an open election by the students and worker’s body
Fully agree
Long live the democracy!
The UvA should address problems such as systemic overwork and bad working conditions among its teachers by giving out more permanent contracts
Agree
Better working conditions ensures better quality of education.
All food options should be plant based by default
Fully disagree
The university should accommodate all students, not just the students who want to eat plant-based food.
Student & Workers Councils should have the final say in policy decisions
Fully agree
This is already the case, but this is something that we must protect.
The UvA should give more training to the teaching assistants
Fully agree
In our eyes it is the duty of the university to provide the best possible education for their students.
The University must prioritise active diversity policies, including decolonization
Agree
For us the ideal university is diverse and free.
All board members of study associations should receive equal financial support from the University
Neutral
More investment is needed in interdisciplinary education (providing students with more than just one perspective on a particular subject, such as is done in honours, PPLE or IIS programs)
Neutral
Interdisciplinary education is already part of the curriculum.
Calling the police is an appropriate response by the university to deal with student protests and demonstrations
Agree
Freedom of speech is a right until your freedom of speech revokes the freedom of speech of others. Every student should be able to have their own opinion, forms of intimidation have no place on campus. Therefore, the university should be able to call the police to end protests that create an unsafe environment for students.
The Binding Study Advice (BSA) should be abolished
Fully agree
We'd like to replace the binding study advice with a study advice that recommends students to continue or quit their study, but is not binding. The students' motivation outweighs the advice, so if a student wants to continue their study, they can.
Programs should have the sole responsibility in deciding whether they teach in Dutch or in English
Neutral
The UvA should cut ties with fossil fuel companies like Shell
Neutral
Keeping contact with fossil fuel companies is necessary to ensure a positive change in the future. Excluding fossil fuel companies doesn't solve the underlying problem and only removes our input in these companies.
The canteen should be deprivatized
Fully agree
Every student should be able to study unhindered at the university. The university must provide good food for a great price for the students. The wellbeing of the student should be a concern of the university and good affordable food stimulates the wellbeing of a student. It is irresponsible to leave this to the free market.
Admission to programs with a limited student capacity should be based on selection procedure rather than random selection through a lottery system
Neutral
Having a physical accessibility university that provides equitable education for it’s students is a priority for the University
Fully agree
The university should be physically accessible place for everyone. This is crucial, because this guarantees a university that is accessible for every (potential) student.