Erasmus University Rotterdam

Employee and student participation

The participation of employees and students increases the quality of governmental decision-making and ensures that policies are supported by staff members and students of the university. Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) has several democratically chosen participatory bodies in which students and staff members get a say. They are invited to join their thoughts on policies and provide advice to several decision-making bodies.

University Council

On a central level, the University Council represents the students and staff members of Erasmus University Rotterdam. The University Council regularly meets with the Executive Board to discuss central policies of the university regarding education, research, finance, HR and organisation. The University Council provides advice on request, but also proactively, and has the right of consent on certain matters. 

Local Meeting (EUROPA)

The 'Local Meeting' ('Lokaal overleg') is the central meeting between employer (Executive Board) and employees, which are represented by four labour unions:

In the Local Meeting, or EUROPA, binding decisions are made in agreement between several parties, about the legal position of employment conditions of the staff (to the extent in which these agreements are not already incorporated in the CAO for Dutch Universities).

Participation at schools and institutes

Faculty Councils

The Faculty Council is the participatory body of a school. The council consists of staff members and students of the school. The Faculty Council has to power to deliberate with the Dean about everything that is relevant to the school. In the case of certain important decisions, the Faculty Council has the right of consent, such as defining the Faculty Regulations and the Education and Examination Regulations.

Read more about the Faculty Councils and other participatory bodies of the schools and institutes:

Programme committees

Each study programme has a programme committee. Some programme committees represent both a Bachelor and a consecutive Master programme. The tasks of a programme committee are: 

  • consultation about the Education and Examination Regulation;
  • annually examining the course evaluations;
  • providing advice on request, as well as proactively, to the Director of Education and the Dean about all matters regarding the education of the programme. 

Half of a programme committee consists of students of the programme. Below, you will find an overview of pages on which you can read more about the programme committees of the schools:

Participatory body of the Professional Services

The rights and needs of the employees of the Professional Services, the General Management Directorate and the University Library are being represented in the Service Councils. These councils get a say when it comes to employment agreements, general employment policies and working conditions. There are regular meetings with the councils and the directors of the departments. If a topic concerns more than one department, it will be discussed by the University Council.