This is not a unique TU/e problem; Large organizations are slow. But at a university, where students are directly affected by policy, this is an extra problem. It is admirable that students still provide input, because there is a gap between "asking for input" and "changing something". A wall full of post-its creates a sense of involvement, but what happens next? Without clear follow-up, such a signal quickly loses its value.

"The voice of the student" remains a vague concept, because the campus consists of various groups, each with their own priorities. Although many students make serious efforts through councils and committees, they often encounter a lot of input and little mandate. The pace of government rarely matches reality. This sometimes leads to superficial input about facility matters, not because students have nothing more important to say, but because it still feels feasible.

I don't believe that students are indifferent. Many dropped out because the gap between saying something and changing something became too big. Symbolic involvement exhausts when nothing happens; a sharp opinion on a post-it rarely leads to real change.

From my involvement, I have experienced both the good intentions and the cumbersome system. However, there is a lot of potential if participation is organized seriously and structurally. Not every opinion immediately leads to policy change, because change is complex and takes time. But if students notice that their voice, no matter how small or slow, can set something in motion, then genuine involvement comes naturally. The point is that it matters.

Wob Knaap is a Data Science student at TU/e. The views expressed in this column are his own.