WOinaction announces new actions against proposed budget cuts
The Domplein in Utrecht was packed with angry academics and students yesterday during the alternative annual opening, demanding that the government adjust its hefty austerity plans of 1 billion euros annually. If not it threatens to be a hot autumn. The word ‘strike’ was dropped several times yesterday.
UvA professor and founder of WOinactie Rens Bod, who later in the day gave a glowing mini-lecture on the history of science during the regular annual opening at the UvA, did not leave himself unchallenged in Utrecht, speaking of ‘an extraordinarily problematic relationship’ of this government with science and calling for ‘cross-standard cuts’. ‘Many studies show that a well-educated population contributes to greater prosperity and well-being, regardless of the field of study,’ Bod said. WOinactie has since announced another day of action on 14 November.
Little support
Meanwhile, the joint universities commissioned a representative survey among 1,000 people on public support for the cuts. This shows that a large majority of voters (69%) think it is a bad idea that the government wants to cut back on Dutch universities and science. Among voters of the governing parties PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB, 62% still think the cuts are a bad idea.
According to Universities of the Netherlands, ‘never before’ have such large cuts to universities been proposed as now. Earlier, in response to parliamentary questions, the minister announced that he would not reverse the cuts. How things turn out will become clear on 17 September when the national budget is presented on the s-called Prinsjesdag.
