Universiteit Leiden

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Stand up for higher education: How to make your voice heard against funding cuts

6 November 2024

With the plans by the government for the higher education sector the quality of our teaching and research is at risk. Every voice and every form of support counts. Here’s how you can get involved:

  • Join the protest: Be there on Thursday, 14 November, from 13:00 to 15:00, in Utrecht.
  • Sign and share the petition: If you can’t attend, or if you know others who can’t, sign and circulate the petition widely.
  • Add a call to action: Include a message encouraging people to protest or sign the petition in your email signature. See text suggestion below.
  • Spread the word: Print flyers or posters and put them up around your department.
  • Email colleagues or post on Teams: Let your network know about the protest and how they can help.
  • Discuss over lunch: Bring up the issue in casual settings, spreading awareness among colleagues.
  • Add a slide to your presentations: Include a reminder to support the protest in any meetings with colleagues and students.
  • Encourage students to attend: If your class is cancelled due to the protest, invite your students to join the protest.
  • Show solidarity with red squares: Buy red felt, cut it into squares, and distribute them with safety pins as a visible sign of support.

Each step helps make our collective voice heard against these funding cuts—let’s stand together for the future of higher education.

The mobilisation group Psychology

Call to action email signature

🟥 While I have your attention, please know that the Dutch government is planning large budget cuts in higher education. These cuts jeopardize our higher education and the development of critical thinking, innovation, and knowledge acquisition—essential pillars for addressing future challenges. On 14 November 13:00-15:00 there will be a national protest in Utrecht against these budget cuts. Please join us if you value our higher education. More info or register for the protest.
Can’t come? Contribute by signing the petition.

Please copy this signature and use it in your own mails to spread the word!

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