The University Forum was established in 2018 following a recommendation from the Democratisation & Decentralisation Committee to set up a ‘broad-based deliberative forum’. The pilot phase of the forum lasted until February 2022, after which the UvA’s Audit department conducted an evaluation. This evaluation revealed that the University Forum serves its purpose well as a platform for active participants to exchange ideas and form opinions. At the same time, it appears that the forum’s reach and impact are still limited.

Means and an end

The evaluation leads the Executive Board to the conclusion that while the University Forum still offers added value, the setup needs to be modified. 'I found the meetings held over the past few years to be very valuable,’ says president of the Executive Board Geert ten Dam. 'Employees and students who would not have met outside the forum engaged in discussions about important themes that are relevant to our university. They shared the problems they encountered and their ideas and desires with each other and with the board. The discussion was both a means and an end: it connected everyone within the UvA and the board incorporated ideas about the future of the university into the strategic course. We want to continue to utilise and further expand the forum’s strengths.’

Independent organisation and programming

For the organisation and programming, the University Forum will continue to have an independent chairperson and secretary, just as in the pilot phase. ‘That was and remains of great importance to ensure the discussion is conducted in the proper manner. Eva Groen-Reijman, Lena Voorbergen and her successor Zazie van Dorp, have done excellent work as chairperson and secretaries, respectively. I am immensely grateful to them and their predecessors Jan Rath and Arne Brentjes. The same goes for all members of the University Forum during the pilot phase: I am grateful for all the contributions they have made,’ says Ten Dam.

Working together with Groen-Reijman and Van Dorp, the new forum will take shape in the coming months. Elements that will be further developed include the role of drawing lots to select participants, the composition of an independent agenda committee (and the role of existing bodies and the part they will play in participatory decision-making), the event programming and other logistical matters. The aim is to hold the first meeting of the new University Forum in early 2024.