Programme Committees
Each programme has its own Programme Committee, which represents all students and lecturers in the programme. Its role is to advise the Programme Management and the Faculty Board on all matters related to the programme. This can be done on request, but also on its own initiative. A Programme Committee always consists of equal numbers of students and staff.
What does a Programme Committee do?
The Programme Committee ensures the quality of the programme by advising – solicited or unsolicited – on all aspects pertaining to education. For instance the form and contents of the courses, the examinations, the timetable, or changes in the programme. Another important item that is always on the agenda is the discussion of the student evaluations of the courses. Sometimes the committee responds to complaints by students or discusses issues evident from own experience. Important issues are passed on to the programme management or to the examination board. Since September 2017 the programme committee is entitled to approve of certain areas of the Academic and Examinations Regulations.
Appointment of the members
All members are appointed by the Faculty Board. Students are appointed by the Board on recommendation of the programme committee, which selects the candidates through interviews. The programme committee calls for candidates at the start of each academic year.
Tasks and authority
Programme committees meet at least four times per year. Other tasks involve reading documents, conferring with other parties, writing reports and advisory papers and representing the programme with review or audit committees.
At the end of each academic year, the programme committee composes an Annual Report, in which the pieces of advice and points for improvement of the past year are recorded, but in particular the points of attention for next year are addressed. A programme committee is an official body, its precise tasks and powers are described in the regulations.
Sounding board
The programme committee also functions as a sounding board for participants in the programme. You can always approach the committees with queries or complaints (via programmecommittees.sbe@vu.nl). More information about the specific programme committees can be found below.
Contact
For more information please contact the programme committee of your own programme. You can of course also contact the Faculty’s Student Council.