In 2023, students at the University of Groningen (UG) filed fewer complaints, but they appealed decisions related to their studies slightly more often than in previous years.
This is according to the 2023 Annual Report on Complaints, Objections, and Appeals of the University of Groningen, which the board of directors will discuss with the university council on Thursday. The report provides an overview of how often students submit complaints, objections, or appeals through the Central Student Legal Protection Office each year.
Significant decrease in complaints
In total, students submitted 159 complaints in 2023—a significant decrease from the 505 complaints filed in 2022. These complaints can involve issues related to the organisation or quality of education, staff members, or available facilities.
The report notes that 2022 was an exceptional year, as many complaints were related to policies regarding online lectures, weekend and evening exams, and other post-pandemic measures.
With 159 complaints, the number in 2023 is again comparable to previous years: 142 in 2019, 214 in 2020, and 153 in 2021.
Graduating with honour and other appeals
Students filed a total of 509 appeals against decisions such as denial of admission to a programme, course, or exam, or not being allowed to graduate with honours.
The 509 appeals in 2023 represent the highest number recorded between 2019 and 2023. The exact reason for this increase is unclear, but the report indicates that most appeals in 2023 were related to programme admissions (140 cases), followed by appeals against academic assessments (114 cases).
Tuition fees and other objections
Students also filed 149 objections against decisions made by the board of directors. These included objections regarding changes to tuition fees, the introduction of selection procedures for programmes, and the distribution of funds from the Graduation Fund, which finances, among other things, student board grants.
This number is also significantly lower than in 2022 (274 objections). The decrease is mainly due to the fact that over 110 objections in 2022 were related to the decision on PhD grant indexation.