Candidates campaign for student vote in CMR election

Turnout to the vote is traditionally low, with only 8% of students voting in the CMR elections last year (a figure almost twice that of the year before, when only 4,7% of students voted.)

One known reason for such dismal turnouts is the lack of public political debate amongst CMR members, whereas the introduction of student parties to the council is likely to have resulted in the (slight) increase. These first two student parties, however, apparently had so much in common that by the end of their first year they had merged into one.

‘Quiet rooms’
The council represents students and employees before the Board of Directors of the university of applied sciences. They advise, initiate and validate important decisions. Most of the issues the council deliberates on concern the rules that govern the organisation of education. It was on the initiative of the council, for instance, that the inscription rules for exams have been simplified.

One the council’s most important accomplishments has been the introduction of so-called ‘quiet spaces’. These rooms are meant to provide a space where students and employees can ‘retreat in silence for whatever reason’ and should not be confused with ‘worship rooms’, according to rector Huib de Jong. The Board of Directors first opposed plans for these quiet spaces, but the council insisted.

21 May
Students can vote for the candidates of their faculty until Sunday 21 May by logging in at kiesmr.hva.nl. There will also be volunteers with tablets positioned around the HvA that should make it easier for students to vote.

The elections kicked off with some difficulties on Monday when, upon logging in, students were informed that they weren’t eligible to vote. The problem was resolved later that day.