Chairperson Susan van Grol: We need to be critical but realistic
After 14 years of chairing the Faculty Council, Professor Jan Sleutels is handing over the baton. Student Susan van Grol takes over the chairmanship. Time for an introduction to Susan.
‘I’ve been around the university for a while, as I first studied Biopharmaceutical Sciences at the Faculty of Science,’ Susan opens the conversation. 'During the course of that study, I realised that I really like languages and would rather do something language-based. I then made a career switch and am now studying Greek and Latin Language and Culture, with Arabic as an elective. I've really rediscovered my flair for language here'.
Ins and Outs of the university
Once they arrived at the Faculty of Humanities, Susan joined the Lijst Voorstevende Studenten (LSV), which asked them to join the list of candidates for the Faculty Council last year. This year, Susan sits on the council on behalf of Students Collective (SC). ‘When I was approached, I didn’t know much about the university - faculty or otherwise - at all,’ they explain. 'I was immediately interested in the administrative side, though. From there, I was elected and got a seat on the council. I found it quite tough at first, as I had very little administrative experience, but you learn a lot in a short time. I soon started to really like it, and even got quite a taste for it.'
‘During that year, the possibility of electing a student as chair the following year was discussed,’ Susan continued. 'After all, we had had Professor Jan Sleutels as chair for 14 years. Coincidentally, at the end of last academic year, I and Daniël Hooimeijer, another student council member, were invited by Professor Sleutels for a cup of coffee. There he told us that he would like to make room for a student and continue as vice-chairman himself. We were pleasantly surprised by that. Several student members then applied for the position alongside staff members. I was the lucky winner of the election.'
Future
In the coming year, Susan will have to work hard, with planned budget cuts on the agenda. 'The council advises the Faculty Board and takes a critical look at what can and cannot be done. I understand that many members of staff and students disagree with the austerity plans or find them frustrating. But it isn’t the council's job to simply block plans. We criticise where necessary, but we are also realistic: cuts will have to be made. We hope to find a way that retains our expertise as much as possible. Most importantly, the choices made must be well considered.'
Jan Sleutels on his successor
'After 13 years of being chair of the Faculty Council, I'm glad Susan could take over. This is the first time we’ve had a student as chair. Susan has the necessary experience for it because this is their second term as a council member. There’s a lot that has to be dealt with now because of the financial problems, but I will do my best to provide support as vice-chair'.