Ramon Klein Velderman | Faces of FEB
Ramon is part of the Faculty Council, which is still unknown to a lot of students. In an attempt to better understand its practices we interviewed Ramon Klein Velderman to talk about his activities within the council and his everyday life.
Written by Alina Schmidt-Pfitzner from the EBF Academy Committee.
Can you tell us something about yourself and your studies?
I am currently in my fourth year of Economics and Business Economics, and I am planning on graduating in June, after which I want to do a masters in Strategic Innovation Management. Right now I am doing a minor in innovation and entrepreneurship which I really enjoy. In block 3 and partly block 4, I am planning to do an internship. Last year I studied at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, I have also been a part of the International Committee at EBF and have participated in ESR. Next to that I did the Honours College and was also a Quest year representative. Furthermore, I am also a part of the YAG, which stands for Young Advisory Group. This is a group of students that offers consulting services to companies which are mainly Dutch SMEs. We currently have four offices in The Netherlands and plan to open one in London in the future. In my spare time I like to play football at The Knickerbockers and have a couple of drinks with my friends. Since last summer, I am a member of the Faculty Council, of which I am going to tell you a little bit more today.
Can you tell us how you got into the Faculty Council?
Two colleagues of mine were members of the council last year, and recommended me to try and apply for a position. I had to do an interview of 20 minutes, which determined if I would fit into the council. Afterwards I had to be chosen in the council elections. After achieving a position in the council I’ll be active in it for one year, after which new members are chosen.
What is the Faculty Council?
The Faculty Council is a group of people that consists of nine staff members and nine students members, all student members are chosen in the council elections whereas the staff members volunteer. The main task of the council is to advise and consult the Faculty Board on affairs influencing the students and employees here at the FEB. Matters the council discusses are: finances, safety, teaching and examination regulations and everyday matters. One example of our work is giving approval for the budget, meaning that if we disagree with the way money is spent, the budget needs to be re-evaluated. Every block we meet up once with the faculty board to discuss important matters concerning the faculty. In advance, we meet one time with just us students and once with the whole faculty council. The faculty council consists of several subdivisions which are internationalisation, facilities/sustainability, educational quality and PR and marketing.
Can you give an example of one of the matters you are currently working on?
I am in the subdivision of facilities and sustainability. My main issue at the moment is to allow students to visit the bathroom during exams, mainly because we see other faculties already allowing it. By first writing a proposal with the staff section and afterwards with the Faculty Board, I hope to achieve that in my year in the Faculty Council. Another point we are looking into is the high work pressure of the staff and the housing problem arising from the high number of students.
What is your main incentive behind being a member of the Faculty Council?
When I decided to apply for the position, my main interest lied in seeing how the faculty works as we as students mostly do not have any idea of that. Furthermore, I wanted to further improve the quality of education after my year at Quest. As I am a rather critical person, I felt that I would be a good fit for this position and I also found it nice to work with fellow students on matters that have an impact on all of us.
In general, we try to improve the students' as well as the staff´s life here at the FEB, so if there are any matters you would like to be discussed in our meetings, just send an E-Mail to faculteitsraad.feb@rug.nl or contact us via our Facebook page.
This article is a collaboration between EBF, Quest and the Faculty.
Do you want to be listed as a Face of FEB or do you know someone who should not be missed here? Please let us know!
| Last modified: | 19 January 2022 10.54 a.m. |