1. What is UCU’s actual relationship with the UU?
UCU is a so called ‘institute’ within Utrecht University. That means that UCU has its own governance structure as well as a lot of de facto autonomy. However, officially UCU is still part of the Humanities department of the UU. We thus also work together and exchange ideas with student and staff representatives at the rest of the university.
2. So, can UCU students also represent UCU at the UU level?
Yes, you can! Students from all across the university can run for the URaad (or University Council), the co-decision making body for all of UU and thus body that checks the Executive Board of the University. You can find more information here:https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/governance-and-organisation/employee-and-student-representation/university-council
3. When to go to ASC?
Come to ASC whenever you need guidance on your curriculum, want to make more sense of the ARR, or have comments, observations or tips on your education or what ASC is doing. Basically, you can come to us anytime about anything education related. We have a broad network of people in and outside the college, and thus also know who to connect you to if necessary. Apart from this, we will sometimes invite you actively to come over for focus group sessions on special topics, such as the development of a particular track or to give input on a specific idea or proposition.
4. Where can I find ASC?
You can find ASC in the office to the right of DH entrance. Office hours will be displayed outside. If the door is open, you are more than welcome to come in!
5. Why run for ASC?
ASC’s mandate is to improve the Liberal Arts and Science education from a students perspective. If you are passionate about getting involved, making UCU a better learning environment, and interacting with faculty, your peers and management, run for ASC! As a member of ASC, you will get invaluable insights into the running of UCU as an educational institute as well as the shaping of education on a university and country level. For instance, results of national education bills and decisions may land on your desk, and your job will be to envision how the student wants and needs at UCU inform its implementation here.
6. Who does ASC advise and work with?
Administration of the College is done by the Management Team or MT, at the head of which is the Dean – the principle decision maker at UCU. A lot of ASC advice is thus towards them. This is advice on decisions with college wide scope. However, besides that ASC talks to and advises many others at UCU, such as Fellows, Heads of Departments and the Tutor Team.
7. How is ASC formally represented at UCU?
ASC is not just an independent foundation, but its members hold all the formal student representation roles within the college. The Student Assessor sits on the Management Team and from there sets topics on the agenda. Together with the Secretary, she also sits on the Board of Studies, an advisory body to the Dean on curriculum development. The bulk of ASC’s members (the chair and the three AAO’s for Science, Social Science and Humanities) are student representatives on the UCU Council, the co-decision making body of UCU. This body, made up of equally staff and student members, acts as a checks and balances body for UCU’s large documents and decisions (e.g. the yearly budget) as well as an advisory body on curriculum development and educational quality.
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