Student Council
The Student Council (SC) is one of the central participatory bodies of Wageningen University. It consists of 12 students that represent the interests of students. The members of the Student Council are elected every year in spring, and dedicate a full-time year to the Council.
Authority of the Council
According to the Higher Education and Research Act the Student Council has four major rights:
- The right of approval – the Executive Board requires the prior approval of the Council for every decision to be taken by the Executive Board concerning the establishment or amendment of policy and regulations specified in the Higher Education and Research Act;
- The advisory right – the Executive Board requires the prior advice of the Council on every decision to be taken by the Executive Board concerning matters specified in the Higher Education and Research Act;
- The right of initiative – the Council is authorised to make proposals to the Executive Board concerning all matters involving Wageningen University and to make its opinions on such matters known;
- The right of information – the Council can request information that it needs within reason to fulfill its task.
Mode of operation
Six times a year the Student Council meets with the Executive Board to discuss topics (consultation meeting). To prepare for each consultation meeting with the Executive Board, the Student Council has two internal meetings. The Student Council has different committees that prepare the topics by having technical meetings with staff members. Thereupon the entire Student Council discusses the findings of the committee, in order to come to a standpoint or decision.
The Student Council meets regularly with students, study associations and student associations of the university. The Council asks them for input regarding specific topics and takes up general concerns.
The twelve students who form the Student Council represent the interests of students. The Student Council is an important partner in policy formation for the Executive Board. Involvement of students in the decision-making process regarding important topics helps to generate broader support. If you have topics that you would like to bring to our attention, please contact the Student Council.
Parties: CSF, S&I and VeSte
The Student Council members can either be independent members, or members of a party. Currently, there are three parties in the Student Council; CSF, S&I and VeSte. Within the Student Council, although all are eager to preserve the high quality of education of Wageningen University & Research, specific ideologies are represented by the different independent members and/or parties in the Student Council. Check the party website or Facebook page for more information about these parties and their focus points, plans and ideas.
CSF is an initiative of united Christian students who want to be the critical voice in the Student Council. The core values of CSF are responsibility, equity, honesty, transparency and stewardship. Starting from those values CSF wants to stimulate personal development, improve quality of education and remain the social character of our small-scale university. In a growing university, CSF wants to emphasise the importance of small student associations and the support of students which encounter problems. CSF believes in an university that not only contributes to the level of knowledge but also to academic and ethical skill development of her students.
Please contact us by email or visit our website for more information about CSF. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.
Sustainability & Internationalisation (S&I) was created by a group of students concerned about issues of sustainability and ways to build bridges among students, so as to strengthen the internationalisation of Wageningen University. We believe that all students should experience an equal amount of satisfaction and privileges during their stay in Wageningen.
S&I is also interested in increasing the environmental awareness of students in Wageningen, and is promoting this through a series of activities and projects. We are in regular contact with other sustainability organizations of Wageningen and are an active part of the collective GreenActive.
We keep close contact to all parts of the Wageningen community, inside and outside of the university, to ensure that the Wageningen community is and stays one community where everyone can feel welcome and home.
If you are interested in any topics aforementioned, please don’t hesitate to contact us by email or find us on facebook. We also have a website and Instagram-page.
VeSte Wageningen (United Students) is a Student Council party founded in 1997 by members of the Contractus associations, in order to keep the influence that disappeared with the introduction of the University Council. Nowadays VeSte has broadened her scope a little and looks after the interests of active students and aims to stimulate a broad academic development, both within and outside the university programs. Thus, VeSte works to ensure the maintenance and improvement of both qualitative education, as well as well-organised student facilities.VeSte is paying special attention to active students. Which means in its policy and approach VeSte will always take into account the possibility of students to develop themselves besides their studies.
More about VeSte can be found at VeSte's website or by email. We also have a Facebook and Instagram-page.
Focus points and spearheads 2024/2025
Student Wellbeing
- Mental wellbeing
- Social safety
- Personal development
- Cultural exchange and integration
Education
- Study pressure
- Preparation work life
- Integrated and inclusive education
Facilities for Students
- Social gathering place
- Affordable and diverse meals
- Promote Wageningen student life
Student Council Visibility and Development
- Promotion and approachability
- Internal functioning
- Awareness on participation
Student Wellbeing
- Mental wellbeing
- Social safety
- Personal development
- Cultural exchange and integration
Education
- Study pressure
- Preparation work life
- Integrated and inclusive education
Facilities for Students
- Social gathering place
- Affordable and diverse meals
- Promote Wageningen student life
Student Council Visibility and Development
- Promotion and approachability
- Internal functioning
- Awareness on participation
Student Council Elections
Elections are held every year in spring. The students running for a seat in the Student Council will be campaigning throughout the Campus during the election week, informing students about their plans and ideas so that those entitled to vote can cast a well-considered vote.
Voting is done online and every student of Wageningen University that is entitled to vote, will receive an email. The voting itself takes about two minutes. Check the Student Council election SharePoint Site for more information.
Interested?
Being a Student Council member, you have the possibility to develop yourself on a personal, business and political level, and to develop competencies and skills which you do not necessarily develop during your study. Contact the Student Council for more information.