Why Lijst Calimero is the only true choice in this year’s elections

We all want to graduate with a diploma that will actually open up doors in your future! Since 2005, Lijst Calimero has therefore been aiming for the best possible education at our university. Maybe our vision sounds idealistic, but that is what we are. As a student, you have to be able to go to class and study without having to worry about the quality of your diploma and the study facilities. That is, what Lijst Calimero stands for!

The main reason why students come to Groningen is their study. As a student party, we therefore focus on the quality of education. High quality education, in our opinion, is education that optimally prepares students for their future; education in which the individual student is put in the focus, and education that takes place in a pleasant and healthy study environment.

The student in the focus
In the past years, we have proven that we can actually achieve our goals by positioning ourselves constructively and also critically in discussions led in the University. We have a clear vision on education and have the interest of all students at heart. When we read the policies made by the Board of the University, we always keep one thing in our mind: does this actually improve the quality of our diploma? The proposals that we write and hand in reflect this vision, too. Additionally, we talk to people at the University that are actually responsible for making decisions and writing policies. In that way, we can influence the policies made as directly as possible. At the University, policies are made in cooperation, as stated in the law on higher education and academic research. (Student) participation is a measure to ensure and improve the quality of education. It should never be a goal by itself, something the new student party DAG clearly does not understand yet.

A critical perspective for all students
If necessary, we are not afraid to be critical. By being critical we achieved the right of consent for the plans for a branch campus in Yantai (UGY). With this right, we can ensure that also in the future there won’t be threats to the quality of education here at our university. The Board of the University is now forced to involve participation bodies in their plans, take our concerns seriously, and make sure that they can guarantee high quality education. This is in the interest of everybody, as the plans for Yantai are enormous. Lijst Calimero, in contrast to other student parties, is not restricted to its own thinking and also considers the interest of others. On principle we aim for the best results for students and not our own popularity.

On the level of the University Council, we participate in the decision making on broader matters that concern the entire University, and not problems that are specific for only one faculty. That is why a party such as DAG is no suitable addition to the University Council. Originating from a philosophy symposium and with an unproportioned amount of students from the Faculty of Arts on their list, DAG stands for faculty specific problems that should not be on the agenda of a University Council. Faculty councils and program committees are responsible for those kind of issues. Due to the process of decentralization at our university, these participation bodies become more and more important. Therefore, Lijst Calimero wrote a proposal to strengthen the position of program committees.

Not just empty words
With our clear vision on education, we can react to developments in higher education. We are required to constructively and critically look at broader developments, but sometimes we also tackle smaller, and more practical issues that a lot of students face. Lijst Calimero takes an active role in the process of writing the strategic plan, in which the University specifies its goals for the upcoming 5 years. Additionally, we value and make use of our right to consent on headlines of the annual budget. Thereby, we can have a large influence on the educational policies of the University. Lijst Calimero is the student party that is actually involved in the discussions held, while parties such as SOG rarely make an effort to dig into the details. Last month, for example, we were able to make an agreement with the Board of the University so that an additional amount of €4.76mln will be invested in the recruitment of staff in 2018. Those funds, which have been accumulated due to the abolishment of the Dutch basic student grant, will be reinvested into our education.

For the past twelve years, Lijst Calimero has successfully been working for the one thing that all students want, a diploma that takes you further. And we will keep doing so in the future. We dare to be critical if necessary and we do not bury our heads in the sand when difficult and sensitive matters are discussed. It is important that the students’ voice is heard and the quality of our education is, after all, the most important. We do not make compromises when it comes to ensuring the quality of our education. Your diploma, your future, our priority!