Framework good student co-determination fees

There are major differences between Dutch higher education institutions in the way co-determination is regulated. For example, the range of tasks and financial compensation of co-determination students varies from institution to institution. To ensure that the co-determination process can function properly everywhere, the national representatives of universities of applied sciences (Vereniging Hogescholen) and universities (Universiteiten van Nederland) made agreements with national student representatives (ISO and LSVb) in the spring of 2024 on behalf of the universities and universities of applied sciences of the Netherlands about the (financial) compensation of students in the co-determination process. These agreements can be roughly divided into two categories. Namely, they establish a list of tasks for which institutions must reward their co-determination students, and they make agreements on how this remuneration is determined. Note that these agreements are not binding. So you cannot legally enforce them. However, these agreements are a strong starting point for starting the discussion at your institution on how much and what co-determination students are paid for.

Standard hours and package of tasks
According to the agreements, all colleges and universities must establish task packages for the co-determination bodies, with a corresponding norm of hours. This means that students in the co-determination body must be paid at least this number of hours per week. The hour norm is determined in consultation with the co-determination council. The list below includes all activities that must in any case be counted among the activities of the co-determination council:

  • Meetings with:
    • Executive Board/Director/Manager
    • Supervisory Board
    • Policy staff
    • Other councils within the educational institution
  • Contact with constituencies or external parties
  • Consultation with other councils
  • Preparation time (reading documents and preparing interviews)
  • Exercising rights and duties (consent, advice and right of initiative)
  • Campaigning (for election)
  • Training the next council
  • Education and training

The standard of hours is determined on the basis of the tasks your co-determination body is involved in. So study programme committees do not necessarily get the same as decentralized councils (faculty councils, academy councils, etc.) and decentralized councils may get different remuneration than central councils. 

Within councils, rewards may also vary by member. Indeed, some roles (such as the chair or secretary) have a heavier workload. There may therefore be an agreement that they get a bit more.  

There is a lower limit for the number of hours to be remunerated per level of employee representation:

  • Members of central councils of educational institutions with more than 10,000 students should be able to spend at least eight hours per week. Members of central councils of smaller institutions should receive at least four hours per week.
  • Members of decentralised councils should get at least four hours per week.
  • Members of programme committees should be able to devote at least two hours a week to committee work.

Level of remuneration

It has not been agreed exactly what members of the co-determination body should be paid. However, a range has been agreed on where the pay should in principle fall within:

  • Between €500 and €1200 per month for central councils, based on 12 monthly payouts per year
  • Between €250 and €525 per month for decentralised councils, based on 12 monthly payouts per year
  • No amounts have yet been agreed for study programme committees. However, the ISO and the LSVb argue for an amount between 125 and 200 euros per month based on 12 monthly payments per year.

In principle, these amounts grow along with the statutory tuition fees.

Some institutions pay their co-determination students in several ways (such as through a student support fund or fees for vacations). This does not affect the proposed monthly range of the total amount. 

What can you do with this?
If, as a co-determination student, you are reimbursed less than this guideline requires, it is desirable to raise the topic. After all, being able to afford to enter a council is important for the accessibility of co-determination. The best way to raise the topic will vary from one educational institution to another. It is therefore important to develop your own strategy. However, we can make a few suggestions for starting points:

  • Make an overview of your work based on the range of tasks described earlier in this overview. Keep in mind that some topics (such as the OER, the budget or elections) are only part of the year. If necessary, consult a former co-determination student, who may know better what the average workload is.
  • Try to find out who is responsible for the compensation of co-determination. Because compensation sometimes comes from different parts of the institution’s budget, it can be complicated to find the person responsible. This can make it harder to clearly identify exactly what your institution needs to do differently.
  • It has been agreed that educational institutions will enter into discussion with their central co-determination councils on this and report on this discussion to HR or UNL. However, it is wise to take the initiative yourself. As a (central) council, make sure you have a clear view of what reasonable fees are and why they are reasonable. Then have this conversation with your Executive Board.
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