Student Jelle Oonk is Chair of the Faculty Council: ‘We really want students to know how to find us’
Since September, Jelle Oonk has been the chair of the Science Faculty Council. Jelle is a third-year student, combining Physics and Astronomy studies with this responsible role. Time to get to know him better. Five questions for the new chair.
What do you study?
‘I study Physics and Astronomy. I’m in the third year of my bachelor’s degree, which I hope to complete this year. But first, I’m also taking a minor in Econometrics at VU Amsterdam and working on a research project.’
That sounds challenging! How do you balance it all?
‘Sometimes it can be a bit tricky to manage everything. But I actually gain energy from being involved in so many different things. The variety between my studies and other activities keeps it enjoyable. And fortunately, I still get enough sleep!’
Why did you want to join the Faculty Council?
‘I believe it’s important for students to be involved in decision-making. After all, they directly experience the effects of policies. Staff members must also be able to do their work well to ensure quality education and valuable research. I’m happy to contribute to this. Additionally, I want to broaden my horizons. The Faculty Council offers a unique opportunity to understand the academic world from the inside.
As chair, I see my role primarily as a facilitator. I want to enable others to make their points effectively. However, I personally pay extra attention to the upcoming budget cuts. I highly value the current small-scale education with plenty of freedom of choice, but unfortunately, that seems to be under pressure. It’s good to have a say as a student in the decisions the Faculty Board makes about this.’
What does the Faculty Council discuss?
‘Part of the work involves formally approving and advising on legally defined matters, such as the Faculty’s strategic plan, the education and examination regulations (OER), and the Faculty budget. Additionally, the Council serves as a point of contact for students and staff. They can express concerns or propose ideas on a wide range of topics, from timetables to PhD candidate issues.
The Faculty Council ensures that important themes such as education, workload, and facilities are on the agenda. Think of better study spaces, flexible timetables, or more attention to wellbeing. The work we do now often bears fruit later. For example, the new Gorlaeus Building was a topic of discussion in the Faculty Council for years.’
You’re the chair. Isn’t that difficult?
‘As Chair, you’re the face and contact person for the Faculty Council. This means having many conversations with students and staff within the Faculty. You also lead meetings, such as those with the Faculty Board. So far, chairing has gone well, and I find it very interesting to do. There is quite a lot of paperwork and emails to deal with, including complex budget matters, which I still need to get more familiar with.’
What is the Faculty Council?
The Science Faculty Council is the representative body of the Faculty. Its role is to critically monitor the Faculty Board, provide advice, and sometimes participate in decisions on important matters. It also represents the Faculty externally, for example in the University Council. The council consists of fourteen members: seven students and seven staff members. Elections are held annually, and the new council takes office at the beginning of the academic year.