VOS
Verenigd onder studentenbelang
For years, the political commissioners (poco’s) of the NSSR board have been taking seats in the University Student Council (USR). Our poco’s are thus the link between the student sports associations (SSV’s), Radboud Sport & Culture (RSC), and the Executive Board (CvB) of Radboud University. On this page, you will find information about how the USR operates and what role our poco(s) play within it!
What is Vos?
Verenigd Onder Studentenbelang (V.O.S.) is the student party represented in the University Student Council (USC) that advocates on behalf of the umbrella associations of Radboud University: SOFv, NSSR, CODC, B.O.S. and CSN. V.O.S. It was founded on the belief that an active student life is essential to the university, and that cooperation between social, cultural, sports-, study- and religious organisations strengthens student representation makes it more inclusive.
Through V.O.S., the umbrella associations collaborate to ensure that the interests of active students are represented. Board members of each umbrella association contribute to the party’s campaign. The Political Chairs also participate in faction meetings, where they discuss current topics, share input gathered from the associations, and determine which positions and actions to take forward to the USC.
V.O.S. strives for, among other things, better accessibility to sports and cultural facilities and fair recognition for student board members. In addition, the party advocates for more flexibility in studying, so that students can better combine their studies with other responsibilities. What distinguishes V.O.S. from other student parties is that it remains closely connected to students by actively collecting feedback from members of the umbrella associations. This input forms the foundation for the positions and initiatives of V.O.S. within the University Student Council (USC) and ensures that its policies align with the real needs of active students and contribute to meaningful changes on campus.
What does the USR for you?
The USR is the participation council that represents the voice of all RU students to the Executive Board of our university. We have influence on university policy, among other things by providing input on possible policy choices and by taking initiatives ourselves. We write policy notes and participate in working groups and committees. We do this within the cycles of the General Assembly (GA), but also outside of it.
How is the USR formed?
The members of the USR are all elected during the student elections, which usually take place between the end of May and the beginning of June. This year, the student party United in Student Interest (V.O.S.) has once again managed to secure eight seats. Other USR members this year come from the student parties: AKKU, Green+, and party Harrachi.
V.O.S. originated from a collaboration between the political commissioners of the various umbrella associations (NSSR, SOFv, BOS, CSN & CODC). In their first year, they managed to secure no fewer than eight seats. Other USR members this year come from the student parties AKKU, Green+ & Knokparty.
The USR & GV-cycli
.The University Student Council, together with the Works Council (OR), forms the Joint Assembly (GV). The USR and the OR have influence over the university's central policy. This policy is implemented on behalf of the Executive Board (CvB). This governing body consists of three people: a chairperson, a rector magnificus, and a vice-chairperson. The Joint Assembly consists of eight cycles in which certain policy documents are discussed in each cycle. The various documents are divided into a number of permanent committees, namely Finance, Real Estate, ICT and Internal Staff (FVIP), Strategy, Policy and Internal Governance (SBB), and Education, Research and Internal Student Affairs (OOS).
The committees are (vice-)chaired by either a USR member or an OR member. The policy documents are ultimately discussed together during the Preparatory Joint Meeting (VGV) and then with the Executive Board in the so-called Joint Consultation Meeting (ovGV). During the Closing Joint Meeting (AGV), the USR and the OR give their final advice on the various agenda items and a vote may be held on certain agenda items.
The USR outside of the GV-cycli
In addition to the cycle of the Joint Assembly, the USR is also involved in its own initiatives. Besides the internal meetings with the entire USR, there are also more specific working groups. The working groups are related to the focus points of the USR, which are set annually. This year, the themes are: Active Student, Wellbeing & Inclusion, Campus & Sustainability, Education & ICT, Visibility & Relations, and Internal Revision.
We also place great importance on staying in touch with our constituency. The umbrella associations do this, among other things, through General Members' Meetings. Additionally, within the USR, there are various liaison roles, which we distribute among ourselves. For example, there is a contact person for each Faculty Student Council (FSR), for the college of assessors, and for various other initiatives such as the Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) and the Intercity Student Consultation (ISO).
More about V.O.S.
Where political commissioners (poco’s) previously received a designated USR seat and therefore did not need to participate in the student elections, this undemocratic process came to an end from ‘24/’25 onwards. From now on, all USR seats are allocated through elections. To ensure that political commissioners and umbrella organizations still have representation within the USR, the student party 'United Under Student Interest' was founded as a joint initiative. Each year, the poco’s will be given a place on this list. Our first year was very successful, allowing us to secure eight seats instead of the five pocos (one for each affiliated umbrella organization). This has ensured that NSSR, BOS, and SOFv each have a second poco, and that ESN also has explicit representation for the international student. V.O.S. therefore aims to improve and promote student life, whether that is within a sports club, study association, or commission is.
The V.O.S. website: www.vosnijmegen.nl
V.O.S. Instagram: @vosnijmegen
V.O.S. e-mail: info@vosnijmegen.nl