Legal position
Legal status as a student: Student statute
You can derive rights from the fact that you are registered as a student. This also means you have to meet a number of obligations. These rights and duties, which result from the 'Higher education and scientific research act' (WHW) have been put down in the Student statute. If required, you can obtain a full written version (in Dutch and English) at the Student Desk in A 301.
The following subjects are treated in the Student statute:
- Enrolment with the rights and duties that go with it (procedures, tuition fee, ending, financial support, etc.).
- Education (organisation of course of studies, study load, study coaching, study progress inspection, study advice, etc.).
- Say (university council, faculty council, faculty board).
- Legal protection (appeal procedures at the Commission of appeal for the exams (College van Beroep voor Examens), Commission of appeal for higher education (College van Beroep voor Hoger Onderwijs), ombudscommission, etc.).
Education and Exam regulations (EER)
The Teaching and Examination regulations treats subjects related to specific courses of studies, amongst which the organisation of the course of studies and the EER. The EER is published on the school pages on Internet.
Regulations of Tilburg University
It is of major importance that you are aware of the existing rights, duties and regulations and conditions you have to fulfil to be eligible for a certain regulation. Carefully read through the Student statute and the accompanying regulations. (A written English version is available at the Student Desk).
Especially in the field of financial matters, strict conditions are laid down. This applies for instance if you want to appeal to financial support (in case of a study delay). If you want to lodge an appeal or objection against a certain decision (e.g. if you do not agree on the result of an exam), strict terms prevail.
There is an official regulation for complaining (chapter 10 of the Student statute). If you have a complaint, other then about educational matters (such as tentaminations), you can fill in an electronic form at the Central Complaints Desk.
The Student Advisory Office publishes a number of brochures (in Dutch), in which the regulations are extensively explained. These are available at the Student Desk.
Participation at the management of Tilburg University
Students are entitled to decent education. The management participation organs of Tilburg University and especially the school organs feel very strong about education-quality care. The contribution of students, both through councils and study commissions, but also through student organisations and groupings, is of paramount importance to achieve good education. For certain functions in these advisory organs, an management participation benefit (bestuursbeurs) is granted.
Student grants and loans
Students up to the age of 30, having Dutch nationality, enrolled for a full-time higher education course of studies, are entitled to a governmental grant. This means a student railcard, a basic scholarship of € 255,64 a month (2008) for a maximum period of 4 years and a loan for three years.
On certain conditions, students not having the Dutch nationality are entitled to student grants and loans of the Dutch government. If you have the nationality of a country from the European Community (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech republic, Denmark, Esthonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latnia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Slovenie, Slowakije, Spain and Sweden) and you have a regular job for at least 32 hours a month, you are entitled to a Dutch grant!
EU/EEA-students without a regular job can get a contribution for the tuition fee
, if they have had this contribution before.EU/EEA-students who start their courses in September 2008 can apply for a loan
to pay their tuition fee. For more information, see the brochures of the IB-Group available in several languages at the Student Desk in Academia building A 301. Application forms for refunding or loan of tuition fees are also available there.
Code of conduct for undesirable behaviour
Sexual harassment can show itself in various ways. For instance in the shape of jokes, touches, non verbal utterances and if it comes to the worst, assault or rape. This can disturb your normal way of functioning. You might become afraid to go to work or to your lectures, you draw in your horns, you change study subject. For students and staff members, for everyone finding him/her self undesired sexually approached on campus, there are two sexual harassment officers you can address yourself to. Furthermore, there is a complaint regulation you can appeal to.
Sexual harassment officers
The sexual harassment officers are there to help you and know which way to go in case you want to lodge a complaint. If you have any questions, if you just want to talk about what happened to you, or if you consider to lodge a complaint, don't hesitate and contact one of the sexual harassment officers:
- Mrs. Iris Sliedrecht, Prisma building 2.207,
telephone 013 - 4662908 (2819) - Mr. Teun Nijssen, Goossens building 226,
telephone 013 - 4662014 (2240) - Mr. Willem Haemers, Koopmans building 529,
telephone 013 - 466 2777 (2908).