The UG’s university council has reluctantly approved the university’s budget for 2025. While they understand the need for cost-cutting measures at the University of Groningen (UG), concerns about the implications are widespread.
The budget forecasts a deficit of 23.6 million euros for next year—a sharp increase from the previously expected 10.3 million euro shortfall.
This year’s budget lacks the usual multi-year outlook due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding government-imposed cuts from The Hague. These cuts are expected to take effect from 2026, though their exact impact remains unclear.
New education agreement
On Wednesday evening, the coalition reached a new agreement about the planned cuts to education. A total of 748 million euros will be scrapped from the original 2 billion in reductions. For higher education, this means the long study penalty will no longer be implemented and part of the starter grants will be preserved.
‘It’s good that they listened to us, but not all cuts have been taken off the table’, said university president Jouke de Vries during the council meeting. The university now awaits further clarification on how these reductions will impact the UG.
Lack of policy
Amid this uncertainty, the council was tasked with reviewing next year’s budget. ‘The figures are deep in the red, and our mood is grim’, said Björn de Kruijf, speaking for the council’s personnel faction. ‘This budget is awful.’
He criticised the lack of policy direction, although he acknowledged that much of it stems from unclear directives from the government. De Kruijf also voiced a common concern among council members: how will the university handle larger challenges when last year’s savings targets weren’t met?
Refined goals
Board member Hans Biemans recognised these concerns, reaffirming the university’s commitment to meeting the savings goals outlined in the TeRUG in Balance ’26 program. ‘I have discussed these objectives with all services and faculties and have refined them where necessary’, he said.
The council is also worried about increasing workloads—a concern shared by nearly all faculty and service councils and flagged as a major issue by the labour inspectorate earlier this year.
Extra work, no extra support
The effects of cost-saving measures are already being felt, the council noted. Staff is not being replaced, education programs are being altered, and processes are being reorganised—all of which create additional work without additional support.
This burden is expected to grow in the coming years. The council has asked how the university can ensure this extra workload doesn’t fall disproportionately on a small group of employees.
‘This will be a very complex issue in the coming period’, Biemans admitted. ‘It’s a significant concern for us. We’ve discussed this extensively with all deans: how can we support our employees and avoid being trapped in this cycle? I don’t yet have a ready-made answer, other than acknowledging the severity of the problem.’