The Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA) is a place where students and lecturers from all over the world come together. This also means that they bring their own cultural values and holidays with them to The Hague. But how should these be accommodated?
That was the subject of a discussion between the Faculty Council and the Faculty Board. The Council has noted that students sometimes have to sit exams on days when they would prefer to have time off to celebrate a holiday that is important to them.
‘The vice-deans of the faculties recently discussed this issue’, said vice-dean Maarja Beerkens. ‘Everyone is struggling with how to deal with it: we recognise the problem, but finding a solution is much more difficult. One question we’re faced with, for example, is: which religious holidays should warrant a day off, and which shouldn’t?’
She also wonders whether lecturers can be required to organise additional resits, extended deadlines and exceptions. ‘Can we be certain that our curricula allow enough scope to accommodate this? I’m open to suggestions from you.’
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Council member Desua Mumford: ‘I understand the practical side of things: there are only 365 days in the year and teaching time is limited. But there are currently criteria in place that determine which days do and do not count as holidays. Why do we make this distinction? Are those criteria good enough and do they serve the community? And if not, shouldn’t we change them?’
The Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA) is a place where students and lecturers from all over the world come together. This also means that they bring their own cultural values and holidays with them to The Hague. But how should these be accommodated?
That was the subject of a discussion between the Faculty Council and the Faculty Board. The Council has noted that students sometimes have to sit exams on days when they would prefer to have time off to celebrate a holiday that is important to them.
‘The vice-deans of the faculties recently discussed this issue’, said vice-dean Maarja Beerkens. ‘Everyone is struggling with how to deal with it: we recognise the problem, but finding a solution is much more difficult. One question we’re faced with, for example, is: which religious holidays should warrant a day off, and which shouldn’t?’
She also wonders whether lecturers can be required to organise additional resits, extended deadlines and exceptions. ‘Can we be certain that our curricula allow enough scope to accommodate this? I’m open to suggestions from you.’
LIMITED TIME
Council member Desua Mumford: ‘I understand the practical side of things: there are only 365 days in the year and teaching time is limited. But there are currently criteria in place that determine which days do and do not count as holidays. Why do we make this distinction? Are those criteria good enough and do they serve the community? And if not, shouldn’t we change them?’