Green versus blue
The green model was the most drastic proposal and the preferred model of most of the activist groups that were involved in the occupation of the Maagdenhuis two years ago. According to this, students and employees would be able to decide on all rules and policy decisions via elected managers and directors.
About one-third of staff voted for the blue model whereas only six per cent of students did so. Almost one-third (31 per cent) of the overall electorate voted for orange. Almost forty per cent of non research related staff supported the blue model whereas this figure was 32 per cent for research staff. The green model was not very popular among staff in general, with only fourteen per cent voting in favour. Among students this percentage was 28. The results show that the UvA community has voted only for a moderate change.
Senate ‘new style’
The results indicate that the Senate ‘new style’ that president Geert ten Dam has previously referred to as a ‘game changer’ will likely be installed. More than seventy per cent of the electorate voted ‘positive’ or ‘very positive’ for this new deliberative and representative forum that will consist of about sixty people from all layers of the university. Whether the members of this new Senate will be elected or appointed is still unknown.
Charter
The UvA electorate has also voted in favour of the so-called Charter in which a number of academic core values will be incorporated into the foundation of university policy and governance. Overall, sixty-five per cent of the electorate was ‘positive’ or ‘very positive’ when asked their opinion on this Charter.
On Wednesday January 25 the Committee on Democratisation & Decentralisation will present its final report on the results of the referendum. This will also be made available online.
