At TU/e, we are working to revitalize codetermination so it becomes stronger and more visible. Conversations with council and board members have shown where things fall short: collaboration is sometimes fragmented, new members are overwhelmed with information, visibility outside of elections is low, and recognition for the time and energy people invest is often lacking.

Why does this matter? Because codetermination is more than a set of meetings or a formality—it ensures that students and staff help shape the policies that affect their daily lives. From my own experience, I’ve learned how codetermination helps you understand how TU/e really works and why certain decisions are made. 

At the same time, you see how you can actively contribute to the development of the university yourself. When it works well, codetermination creates transparency, inclusivity, and better decisions. When it doesn’t, important perspectives are lost.

Whether at the university or faculty level, codetermination ensures that choices are not made for us, but with us. So: drop by a meeting of the university council or your faculty council, or put yourself forward as a candidate. Join in!

 Elise van Lieshout is a master’s student Mechanical Engineering and serves as the chair of the student party ONS in the university council. 

This article was translated using AI-assisted tools and reviewed by an editor.

Photo | Bregje van den Bergh