Enthusiasm high for elections during corona crisis
The students of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel have chosen the new president of their student council. After two rounds of voting during an exciting session on Monday, Lisa Jongmans beat Sasha Solau by 11 votes to eight. Lisa, from the Netherlands, is taking the English-language bachelor in social sciences.
Committed generation
The corona crisis has clearly increased students’ commitment. During the lockdown, the student council made an extra effort and organised telephone helplines for students, listed their problems and concerns and shared them with the university authorities.
“Thanks to the input and commitment of our student representatives, we have been able to shape the new educational and exam reality and the adapted campus life at VUB. During this crisis, the student council has also been delegated to the Temporary Executive Committee. This is where the students involved intervene in a constructive way and play a decisive role,” says vice-rector for Education Jan Danckaert.
“This generation of students is very committed, and we are very happy with that. This year there were no fewer than 28 candidates and we were able to reach the election quorum in just one week. By decree the voting quorum is 10%, but at VUB it is double that at 20%, and that was easily achieved.”
Positive impact
The new team consists of 12 women and eight men, and they represent six of the university’s eight faculties. The new chair is a member of the Vrij Onderzoek study group and a contact point for students in the Meelevende Universiteit working group, a project that aims to have a positive impact on the mental wellbeing of all VUB students.
Lisa Jongmans on her plans: “I want to work on two fundamental issues during my time as chair. The development of positions and communications, both with student representatives and the wider student community. The idea is not only to represent students, but to work on themes that are prevalent among the student community and thus more clearly express the voice of the student.”
Contact
Jan Danckaert – 0486/48.80.62 - jan.danckaert@vub.be
Lisa Jongmans – 0486/06.37.81 - lisa.elizabeth.ashley.jongmans@vub.be