10 December 2024

Hundreds of students and staff from Leiden University gave a ‘whistle concert’ on 11 December against the planned cuts to higher education. Read the news article here.

On Wednesday 11 December, students and staff from Leiden University are protesting once again against the higher education cuts, this time in a walkout. We the Executive Board and deans support this protest and call upon our students and staff to let their voices be heard. Annetje Ottow will be among those joining the walkout.

We find both the scale of the plans and the uncertainty they bring to the education sector unwise and downright irresponsible. The quality of our research and teaching is at stake. A high turnout on 11 December will underscore our support for this message.

The protest is being organised by WOinActie and will take place in Leiden on Wednesday 11 December at 13.00 hours. Participants will gather at Cleveringaplaats and in front of the Pieter de la Court building. The organisers are calling on people to bring a whistle to blow the whistle on the government.

Protests will also be held in other cities. For more information see the WOinActie website. A separate protest is not currently planned in The Hague. If that changes, this message will be updated.

Teaching on Wednesday afternoon

To prevent additional work and study pressure, we have decided not to declare a lecture-free afternoon for the whole university. If you are teaching on Wednesday afternoon and wish to join the walkout, please arrange this directly with your students. Do make sure that your students receive all the material within the duration of your course.

You will find the rules on compulsory attendance for students on the student website.

Sign the petition

Alongside making your voice heard during the walkout, you can also sign the petition that is part of the campaign against the cuts.

This announcement will be updated if more information is received about the walkout.

Executive Board and dean