1. Since the Dutch government wants to give more money to technical studies in science departments, the UG should focus its resources on further improving these studies and receiving more funds for them. Even if it means reducing funds for social sciences or the arts department.

1. SOG: The SOG disagrees with the decisions to heavily financially favour beta faculties. However, the FSE does need to stay competitive with other universities that are also obtaining more funds. Therefore, regarding the allocation of funds within the university, the SOG believes that the financial hit should be spread mostly evenly, but with the FSE having to contribute somewhat less.
2. Calimero: Disagree. Lijst Calimero does not believe in cutting the budget of the humanities, arts and medical faculties in favour of the science faculty. We will commit to make sure that in budget negotiations all faculties are funded adequately so all students of the UG can thrive and receive the highest quality of education. The UG has been one of the best broad universities in the Netherlands where all disciplines are studied, and this is something we should cherish.
3. DVS: No priority. The Independent Student opposes the proposals from the committee Van Rijn. Reducing funds for social sciences, law, arts or the medical faculty is out of the question. The Independent Student will stand alongside the university board to oppose these budget cuts.
4. DAG: The RUG has no obligation to distribute its revenues according to the wishes of the government. Particularly in these difficult times, reflective skills, as taught in the humanities and social sciences, should stand at the forefront of education. The implementation of the Van Rijn recommendations mean less money for the humanities and social sciences.

2. Only study programmes which specifically target an international student body and prepare students for an international career should be taught in English. All other programmes should be in Dutch.

1. SOG: The SOG disagrees with this statement as we are strong proponents of internationalisation at the university. However, the UG remains a Dutch university and therefore studies directly related to the Dutch labour market should be taught in Dutch. We believe that other studies should be offered in English, however, as students are then able to develop themselves further and use their studies in a global context.
2. Calimero: Agree. Internationalisation offers a lot, but is not a goal in itself. Programmes can be taught in English if students benefit from that in quality of education and career perspectives. If it does not benefit students, it should not be taught in English. Whether this is the case can be assessed by the Programme Committees of the programmes, as they have a right of consent on the language of a programme since December last year.
3. DVS: No priority. The quality of education should be leading in deciding whether a course should be taught in English. If the quality of the English-taught course does not live up to the standard of the Dutch course, the university should refrain from converting its courses.
4. DAG: The university should not be primarily concerned with career and the labour market, but rather with a student’s education. A university teaches science and humanities, in all its varieties. For that reason, we don’t see a connection between the international labour market and the Dutch language.

3. Due to the corona virus the amount of available study spaces at for example the UB will decrease by possibly 75 per cent. The UG should therefore invest extra resources in making more alternative study spaces available by extending opening hours of UG buildings like the UB and renting outside spaces like used to be done with exams.

1. SOG: We strongly agree with this point. We urge the UG to open the UB, because studying outside of our living areas improves the motivation and concentration to study. As the UB would only have 25 per cent of all normal spaces, it is only fair for all students to increase opening hours and find alternative study spaces, so more students are able to make use of the UG’s facilities.
2. Calimero: Agree. The UG should actively invest in renting and creating additional study spaces for students. Students have a lot of problems studying for their exams at home, due to a student room which is too small or due to a lack of proper internet connection. Studying is as much about one’s environment as it is about what one is studying. Availability of study spots is key for optimal studying.
3. DVS: High priority! The university needs more study spaces, especially in times of corona. The Independent Student wants the university to have the UB as a 24h-library during exams; and the Zernike Library to have the same opening hours as the UB. Now, and in the future.
4. DAG: This is very urgent, because the impact of social inequality (e.g. having a stable internet connection, having an adequate place to study) has a higher impact on people’s study results now. Especially the establishment of spaces where students without proper internet access at home can follow their seminars.

4. Even if the UG invests in alternative study spaces, the total amount of places will still be limited. The UG should therefore give first-year-bachelor students and students in their graduation year priority to the use of these study spaces.

1. SOG: Despite the SOG strongly agreeing with the investment in alternative study spaces, especially in the context of the Corona crisis, we believe that the university cannot discriminate between categories of students based on study progress. Every student has the right to utilise the facilities of the university. Therefore, access to study spaces cannot be limited to certain groups.
2. Calimero: Disagree. Students should not be excluded based on the year they’re in, as all students need an optimal study environment. Also, this is a logistical nightmare. The UG should however reserve a percentage of study spots for students with disabilities (like ADHD) or with bad facilities (like internet connection) at home. It’s important to invest more in the creation of study spots so all students can study optimally.
3. DVS: No priority! The university belongs to all of its students. Instead of creating senseless policies such as priority-seating, The Independent Student wants the University to invest in more study spaces and extended library hours.
4. DAG: A blanket prioritization of first/last-year-students does not account for social inequalities. Priority should be given to those that do not have access to an adequate study space at their home e.g. not having a proper internet connection, a good computer, or being unable to concentrate at home. Either way, there should be as much investment as possible in order to create maximum capacity of study spaces.

5. The UG should let students vote on the use of proctoring software. If the majority of students votes against it, there should be a UG-wide ban on the use of proctoring software.

1. SOG: The SOG agrees with this statement. Privacy is dear to students and therefore also to us. Students need to have a voice in decision-making concerning their privacy and the use of their data. If a university-wide ban is put into place, the university should make use of other alternatives which are more privacy-friendly, such as open book exams and assignments among others.
2. Calimero: Neither agree nor disagree. Students should have a say in the methods of examination in their programme. This is already happening via the Faculty Councils and programme committees, which are the elected representatives of students and can vote on the Teaching & Examination Regulations (TER). Especially during the corona crisis this is important, as we see several ways of possible infringements on one’s personal privacy.
3. DVS: No priority! The Independent Student opposes the concept of proctoring software, it is a severe violation of a student’s privacy. Privacy is an individual fundamental right, which cannot be decided on by a simple majority vote. The Independent Student wants the University to use less invasive measures to ensure students can do their exams, the Faculty of Law is a great example.
4. DAG: Absolutely! The UG needs to become more democratic, and this will be a good first step in the right direction. Students should furthermore be able to vote on the leadership of the University, and also be involved in all other decision-making processes.

6. The UG should invest more time and money to proactively offer stressed students services to help deal with their stress.

1. SOG: The SOG agrees with this statement. It has become increasingly apparent that many students cope with stress and struggle with mental health in general. Although the university has made many steps to deal with this issue already, the SOG believes that it is paramount to stay vigilant and to keep evaluating and improving current measures. Therefore, we strive to promote all the facilities that are needed for the overall health and wellbeing of students in Groningen.
2. Calimero: Agree. Students are experiencing a lot of stress these days. A healthy study environment and student wellbeing is key for students to thrive in their studies. Due to a proposal of Lijst Calimero, the UG has already invested in more student psychologists. However, there should also be focus on prevention (as prevention is always better than a cure!). The UG should therefore support Lijst Calimero in their organisation of the annual Wellbeing Week.
3. DVS: High priority! The Independent Student wants the University to be prepared for the upcoming academic year, in which an increasing amount of students will need the services of student-psychologists. The University should invest in sensible measures, such as increasing its available staff, to make sure there are enough resources available to support students, and to prevent long waiting lists for these essential services. Although we all love fluffy support-puppies, we believe in investing in staff and students.
4. DAG: Definitely, but dealing with the symptoms is not enough. The UG also needs to address the underlying causes of stress and mental health problems of students, for example: the housing situation, too much pressure on students by placing quantity over quality in education or expecting them to finish their studies as soon as possible, experiences of discrimination because teaching personnel are not properly trained, and so on and so forth.

7. The UG should invest more time and money to proactively offer all UG students who want to live in Groningen housing accommodation in which they can live during their entire study period.

1. SOG: The SOG believes that the university should not invest more than necessary in temporary and permanent accommodation for international students. The university should, however, invest enough to ensure that students have a place to temporarily stay at the start of their studies. The SOG is of the opinion that the responsibility of housing in the long-term shifts from the university to students themselves. Therefore, more financial resources are not necessary for permanent accommodation.
2. Calimero: Agree. The UG has a responsibility to ensure that all students feel at home in Groningen. As the UG spends a lot of time on marketing towards international students, they also have to make sure that there is adequate housing available. No student should be homeless at the beginning of the year. The UG should coordinate efforts with the municipality. Additionally, the UG should reduce international marketing while there aren’t enough rooms available yet.
3. DVS: Average priority. The Independent Student wants the University to take responsibility for its role in the housing shortage. This includes proactive communication, housing on the Zernike Campus and investing in housing for first year international students. However, The Independent Student opposes university housing for longer than a year. Research by the Groninger municipality shows that second year students are all capable of finding a home in Groningen by themselves.
4. DAG: Improvement is necessary given the plans for internationalisation. In the past six years, the number of internationals increased reaching a current level of almost a quarter of the student body. Considering the profit driven and aggressive marketing of the RUG and the bad housing situation, the university must take responsibility for its students. A great first step would be to improve the quality of the SSH housing, although on the long term the profit driven growth should be stopped.

8. Seen as how the corona virus has halted most students’ social lives, the UG should take the lead and invest time and money in creating alternative social activities for all UG students.

1. SOG: The SOG agrees that the university should provide support for social activities. However, we believe that financial support should be offered to pre-existing associations instead of creating separate alternative social activities. In this way we make sure that the active student life and culture of Groningen is preserved.
2. Calimero: Disagree. We saw what a success this was with the UG lustrum gala last year. The university should not pretend to be a study or student association. However, the UG should support associations, while keeping their focus on providing quality education. Associations are best positioned to know what social activities students want. Associations also have the closest connection with students and therefore it will have more effect if they provide support in this regard.
3. DVS: High priority, strongly disagree. The Independent Student trusts the inventiveness and creativity of students. Student associations and organizations are organizing amazing activities in these difficult times, the University should instead invest in the student associations and organizations of Groningen. To make sure these organizations can keep organizing these great events.
4. DAG: Given that especially international students might be very isolated because they lack networks in Groningen, and the university is through their marketing at least partly responsible for them being here, the university has some responsibility to address this. Rather than offering their own activities, to avoid a blending of work/study and private life the university should rather point students towards existing activities e.g. by facilitating a forum where associations can share their events.

9. The University Council should have more tools to control and if necessary alter decisions the UG board makes than it now has.

1. SOG: We agree with this point. The SOG represents students in the University Council, and we want students to have a bigger say in the decision-making of the university. The SOG believes that the University Council should have more resources to alter decisions, especially in matters directly concerning students. By increasing the number of tools of the University Council, we can ensure that the voices of students are heard.
2. Calimero: Agree. The University Council is a democratic body and should have more power. The Council exists to represent the students and staff and it would be ignorant to not give the main representative body of the university a stronger vote in central decisions made. Especially in times like these, the university should mainly listen to its students. Having more tools enables us to help get the opinions of students on the table in a stronger way.
3. DVS: High priority! The Independent Student believes that the University Council should be fully able to control the University Board, and to alter its decisions. The right to amend and the right to file a motion are fundamental rights within the system of checks and balances, which The Independent Student will fight for to implement.
4. DAG: Definitely! Overall the University needs to become more democratic and transparent. The University Council is one of the main bodies where student and staff interests are included in the decision-making process. However, we ultimately strive for a different way of governance in the university, which may mean that the board could be abolished.

10. Next academic year student parties should also focus on:

1. SOG: For the coming year, the SOG strives to support students in every way regarding COVID-19. We demand more transparency in decision-making and better pragmatic communication from the University. This includes flexibility and clarity in policies surrounding exams. We strive for the phased re-opening of the University and its facilities, including the UB and additional study places/spots. Finally, financial support for students and associations to maintain our active student culture. Making it better. Together.
2. Calimero: Lijst Calimero is committed to an inclusive university which emphasises small-scale education, student wellbeing, and sustainability. With the current digitalisation, we believe that the quality of education is not emphasised enough. The UG should ensure all students have equal access to adequate technology and facilities. Digitalisation also significantly impacts on student wellbeing and the UG should aid students with these problems. Your education is our priority and it should be the university’s too.
3. DVS: The Independent Student is a great supporter of accessibility. The fact that the University is not fully accessible to people who have either a visual impairment, are hard of hearing or have a mobility disability, is incomprehensible. The Independent Student fights alongside interest groups to have a University without barriers, physical as well as organisational.
4. DAG: Sustainability and Inclusion. In order to be more sustainable, the UG should stop basing their actions on the creation of profit which leads to expansionism and also stop cooperating with polluting industries. The UG should play a role in researching and addressing the climate crisis. The UG should focus on working towards a safer learning environment with equal opportunities for everyone, actively working against any type of discrimination and providing help for those struggling with it.