Student Charter. Hogeschool van Amsterdam, University of Applied Sciences. General Section

Transcription

1 Student Charter Hogeschool van Amsterdam, University of Applied Sciences General Section The Student Charter of the Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA) consists of a General Section which applies to any person who studies at the HvA and a Special Section which applies to students and external candidates taking a particular study programme. The Special Section of the Student Charter is the Teaching and Examination Regulations (TER). The content, or part of the content, of the TER can vary depending on the study programme. The TER format applying to all study programmes does not differ per study programme and forms a part of this General Section. The TER information specific to any particular study programme is to be made available by the school where the study programme is actually given. The General Section of this Student Charter was adopted by the Executive Board on 30 March 2011 and was approved by the Representative Advisory Council on 10 May

2 Chapter 1 General Article 1.1 Definitions In this statute the following definitions apply: Academic year : the period that begins on 1 September and ends on 31 August of the following calendar year; Appeals Tribunal for Higher Education : the appeals board as referred to in Section 7.64 WHW; Binding negative study advice : advice as referred to in Section 7.8b (3) WHW; Course participant : the person, other than a student or external candidate, who is enrolled in the HvA for educational purposes; Dean : the executive official of a school; Disputes Advisory Committee : committee as referred to in Section 7.63a Education Implementation Service (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, DUO) WHW; : agency charged with the implementation of education legislation and regulations (formerly: Student Grant Bank (Informatie Beheer Groep) and Central Institution Financing (Centrale Financiën Instellingen); Examination Appeals Board : the board as referred to in Section 7.60 WHW; Examination Board : the board as referred to in Section 7.12 WHW; Executive Board : the board of the HvA as referred to in Sections 1.1 and 10.8 WHW; Executive Board and administrative regulations : regulations as referred to in Section 10.3b of the Dutch Higher Education and Research Act (WHW); External candidate Foundation Objections, Appeals and Complaints Office Organisational unit Programme Committee : a person as referred to in Section 7.36 WHW; : The Stichting Hogeschool van Amsterdam; : facility as referred to in Section 7:59a WHW; : the unit appointed by virtue of the Executive Board and administrative regulations as referred to in Section 10.3a WHW; : the committee as referred to in Section 10.3c of the WHW; Representative Advisory Council : the council as referred to in Section WHW; Representative Advisory Council regulations: : regulations as referred to in Section WHW; Representative Council : representative council as referred to in Section WHW; School : organisational unit where education is provided Student by the HvA; : the person who is enrolled in the HvA as a student as referred to in Section 7.32 WHW. Student is also taken to mean the external candidate as referred to in Sections 7.32 and 2

3 7.36 WHW, unless expressly stated otherwise; Student counsellor : the person appointed by the Executive Board to inform and advise the student, the Dean, the institution management and the Examination Board on student affairs, to mediate on behalf of the student and to counsel the student regarding problems of a personal nature; Studielink : the joint registration and enrolment application for universities, universities of applied sciences and DUO; Study programme : the Bachelor s or Master s study programme as referred to in Section 7.3 WHW; Teaching and Examination Regulations (TER) : regulations as referred to in Section 7.13 WHW; University of Applied Sciences : the institution for higher education maintained by the foundation; WHW the Dutch Higher Education and Research Act (Wet op het Hoger Onderwijs en wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, WHW). 3

4 Article 1.2 Content 1. The present Charter regulates the legal position of those who are covered by the scope of this Charter as described in Article The rights and obligations associated with the legal position as referred in the first paragraph are also determined by: a. the law and the resulting regulations; b. the decisions of the bodies and officials of the HvA; c. the regulations based on this charter as referred to in the fourth paragraph. 3. This Charter consists of a general section, applicable to all the students of the HvA and a study programme-specific section that only applies to students enrolled in the study programme concerned, unless determined otherwise. The study programme-specific section of the Charter comprises the Teaching and Examination Regulations as referred to in Article The regulations as referred to in the second paragraph, letter c, are: - Fraud Regulations of the Hogeschool van Amsterdam, University of Applied Sciences 1 ; - Code of Conduct for International Students in Dutch Higher Education 2 ; - Code of Conduct for Student Counsellors 3 ; - House Rules 4 ; - Protocol for Physically Disabled Students 5 ; - Regulations Concerning Undesirable Conduct 6 ; - Examination Board Regulations 7 ; - Programme Committee Regulations 8 ; - Top-Sport Regulations 9 ; Article 1.3 Adoption and amendments 1. The general section of the Charter together with any amendments to it is adopted by the Executive Board and submitted for approval to the Representative Advisory Council. 2. The study programme-specific section of the Charter, being the Teaching and Examination Regulations as referred to in Article 1.1, is determined to the extent it is not determined by the Executive Board by the Dean following the advice of the Programme Committee and depending on the subject it may be submitted for approval or information to the Representative Advisory Council or the Representative Council of the school to which the study programme belongs. Article 1.4 Scope 1. Except as otherwise provided for in this article, the scope of this Charter is limited to the students, external candidates and, where applicable, course participants of the HvA. 2. The provisions also apply where indicated in this Charter to the prospective student and the ex-student of the HvA and its legal predecessors. 1 Article 5.16 format TER. 2 Article 6.8 format TER; Article 8.6 Student Charter. 3 Article 6.1 format TER; Article 6.4 Student Charter. 4 Article 7.1 Student Charter. 5 Article 3.4 format TER; Article 3.7 Student Charter. 6 Article 7.1 Student Charter. 7 Article 7.1 format TER; Article 1.10 Student Charter. 8 Article 1.11 Student Charter; Article 21 Executive Board and Administrative Regulations. 9 Article 5.1 format TER. 4

5 3. Chapter 8 and Articles 7.1 and 7.2 apply to course participants as does Chapter 9, as far as possible. 4. Sections of this Charter may be declared applicable to those doing a study programme at a company or legal entity that has an enduring affiliation with the Foundation. This only applies, however, if the company or legal entity concerned expressly refers to this affiliation. Article 1.5 Announcement 1. The Executive Board is to publish the Charter by placing the text and the English translation thereof on the website of the HvA. 2. The Dean is to ensure that students can access and become acquainted with the Teaching and Examination Regulations of the school that apply to them. 3. Should the general section of the Charter and/or the Teaching and Examination Regulations accompanying it be amended during the academic year, the Executive Board or the Dean concerned, respectively, are obliged to announce the amendment in an appropriate manner. There can only be any question of an amendment as referred to in the previous sentence should the law or regulations require it, in cases where there is an obvious error or based on very weighty and exceptional organisational circumstances. 5

6 Article 1.6 Objectives of the Foundation 1. The objective of the Foundation is the setting up and maintenance of one or more organisations for higher education as referred to in Section 1.1 (b) of the WHW and legal entities for the purposes of this education, as well as the performance of actions that are connected with the foregoing in the broadest sense, result from the foregoing or could be beneficial to the foregoing. 2. The objective stated in the first paragraph is to be realised in a manner that shows respect for the various religious, cultural, ideological and social persuasions and movements, to the extent that such are in agreement with the constitution of the Netherlands. Article 1.7 Organisation of the HvA 1. The Foundation consists of two bodies: the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board. The Executive Board forms the management of the Foundation and is also the management of the institution as referred to in Section 1.1 (j) of the WHW. 2. The Executive Board is responsible for all the tasks and powers regarding the management of the Foundation and the HvA which are not assigned to the Supervisory Board by law or by the charter. 3. The Foundation observes the Executive Board and administrative regulations as referred to in Section 10.3b of the WHW. The Executive Board and administrative regulations: a. determine the further regulations regarding the conclusion of a joint scheme as referred to in Chapter 8 of the WHW; b. indicate the organisational units of the HvA; c. indicate the powers that have been delegated by the Executive Board; d. describe the relationship between the management of an organisational unit and the Executive Board; e. indicate which bodies are responsible for the study programmes; f. describe the manner of appointment and composition of the Programme Committees. g. describe how the Teaching and Examination Regulations are formed. 4. The Executive Board may require the management of the organisational units of the HvA and/or their employees to exercise the powers invested in it on behalf of the Executive Board. Should such power consists of a power to determine regulations, the regulation concerned is to be approved by the Executive Board. Article 1.8 Participation 1. The HvA has a Representative Advisory Council and Representative Councils. 2. The duties, powers and scope of the councils referred to in the first paragraph are laid down in the Representative Advisory Council Regulations. The manner in which such councils are chosen and facilitated is recorded in a voting regulation or in a facilitation regulation. 3. The regulations referred to in the second paragraph are to be made known by placing them on the website of the HvA. Article 1.9 Schools and collaborations 1. The HvA distinguishes schools which are responsible for the provision of education. The following schools are recognised: School of Sports and Nutrition School of Economics and Management School of Health Professions 6

7 School of Social Work and Law School of Design and Communication School of Education School of Technology 2. In addition to the schools, there are two collaborations. Het Centrum voor Nascholing Amsterdam (CNA) [Centre for Post Graduate Studies] is a collaborative venture between the HvA and the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and the Amsterdam School for Health Professions (ASHP) this is a collaboration between the HvA, the UvA and the Amsterdam Medical Center. Article 1.10 Examination Board 1. Each study programme or group of study programmes is subject to an Examination Board. The Examination Board is appointed by the Dean on behalf of the Executive Board, with due observance of the provisions in Section 7.12a WHW. This means, among other things, that members are appointed on the basis of their expertise in the field of study covered by the study programme or group of study programmes. 2. The composition, duties and powers of the Examination Board are stated in Teaching and Examination Regulations and the Examination Board Regulations. Article 1.11 Programme Committee 1. Each study programme or group of study programmes is subject to a Programme Committee. The members of the Programme Committee are appointed by the Dean with due observance of the regulations of the Programme Committee. 2. The composition, duties and powers of the Programme Committee are set out in the Executive Board and administrative regulations and have been detailed further in the regulations for the Programme Committee. 7

8 Chapter 2 Information Article 2.1 Information for students and prospective students 1. The Dean is to ensure that the details of the following subjects are available to students and prospective students before the academic year begins: a. the education available at the school; b. the objective and organisational structure of the HvA; c. the outlines of the Teaching and Examination Regulations for study programmes available at the school; d. the requirements and possibilities for admission to the various study programmes and the procedures to be followed; e. the study programmes that are subject to a binding negative study advice, and the associated rules; f. the study programmes that are subject to a post-foundation year referral, and the associated rules; g. the career options associated with the study programme together with the career profile and details of the job market for graduates, to the extent these are known; h. the possibilities for horizontal and vertical advancement; i. the level of the tuition fees and an indication of the other costs (that may be) involved in doing a study programme; j. the student facilities available. 2. The details referred to in the first paragraph are to be made available in such a way that the prospective student is able to come to an informed opinion as regards the content and organisation of the study programme. 3. The HvA allows prospective students to become acquainted with the registration procedure and the code of conduct for international students in Dutch higher education. Article 2.2 Obligation to consult the accounts For educational purposes, an account is made available to students. Students are expected to consult this account regularly. 8

9 Chapter 3 Registration and Deregistration Article 3.1 Preliminary requirements The person who wishes to register as a student for a study programme is required to meet the preliminary and other requirements as set out in the Teaching and Examination Regulations concerned, with due consideration of the WHW or that which is provided for in or by this Charter. An admission requirement for a Master s degree programme is a confirmation of admission as referred to in Section 7.30b WHW. Article 3.2 Procedure for registration 1. The student administration department deals with the registration of students. 2. The person who wishes to register as a student must register for a study programme and must submit a request via studielink to the student administration department. The registration is valid for an indefinite period and ends in cases as referred to in the fifth paragraph and in Articles 3.5 and The registration is also to be made in accordance with the rules of procedure set out by the Executive Board, which rules of procedure for a Master s study programme may differ from those for a Bachelor s study programme. 4. Registration is only permitted for those persons whose parents, guardians or carers can prove that the person wishing to register, or, in the event the person is of age and legally competent, he or she can prove that he or she: a. has Dutch nationality or is to be treated as a Dutch citizen based on a legal stipulation; b. is a foreigner and younger than 18 years on the first day on which the study programme begins and from whom registration is required for the first time; c. is a foreigner aged 18 or older on the first day on which the study programme begins and from whom registration is desired for the first time and who has on that day regular accommodation within the meaning of Section 8 of the 2000 Aliens Act; d. is a foreign resident outside the Netherlands on the first day of the study programme for which registration is required for the first time; or e. is a foreigner, no longer meets one of the requirements stated in b., c. or d. of this paragraph and was enrolled earlier in accordance with one of the sections for a study programme at the HvA, which study programme is still being taken and has not yet been completed. 5. Should it appear after registration that, for any reason whatsoever, the registration was not in accordance with the fourth paragraph, the registration of the student will be immediately terminated. 6. Registration is not to take place before proof has been submitted that the tuition fees due have been paid or that the examination and tuition fees due have been paid. The registration for a Bachelor s study programme is not made dependent on any other financial contribution than that referred to in Article Should a mature student or external candidate not themselves pay the tuition fees or the examination fees, registration may only take place once the student or external candidate has declared in writing that he or she agrees to the fact that a third party stated in that declaration is to pay the tuition fees or examination fees on his or her behalf. 8. Registration as an external candidate or as a course participant is only permitted if in the opinion of the Dean the nature or importance of the education does not dictate otherwise. 9. The person who registers for the first time for the foundation-year phase of a Bachelor s study programme is to report before registering with the Minister of Education, Culture and Science, 9

10 with due observance of the provisions in Article 7.37 WHW and of the procedural regulations to be drawn up by the aforementioned minister. 10. On registering, the student or external candidate must present his or her personal identification number or education number, as referred to in Section 7.38 WHW. Article 3.3 Registration following binding negative study advice 1. The student who has received a binding negative study advice for a Bachelor s study programme is not permitted to register again for the same study programme or for study programmes of the same foundation-year phase The student who, contrary to the first paragraph, wishes to register for a Bachelor s study programme for which an earlier binding negative advice was received is to submit a request to the Examination Board in accordance with the provisions of Article 6.5 (54), of the Teaching and Examination Regulations. Article 3.4 Limited registration 1. The Executive Board may with due consideration of the provisions of the WHW: a. refuse the first registration based on the available teaching capacity of the HvA; b. refuse the first registration based on the teaching capacity available nationally; c. limit the registration for the post foundation-year phase; d. limit the registration according to a ministerial regulation limiting the registration based on the needs of the labour market. 2. An interested party may file a written objection to decisions as referred to in the first paragraph no later than six weeks after the date of the decision to which the objection relates. The letter of objection must be directed to the Objections, Appeals and Complaints Office. Before a decision is taken on the letter of objection, advice will be sought from the Disputes Advisory Committee as referred to in Article 7.63a WHW. Article 3.5 Refusal and cancellation of registration 1. On behalf of the Executive Board, the student administration department will refuse the registration application or cancel the registration retroactively if necessary and possible: a. if the registration conditions set by the HvA have not been met, including the condition to settle the tuition or examination fees due in time; b. if the details provided by the applicant on the basis of which the compelling requirements for admission and registration were established prove to be incorrect; c. if there are grounds to believe or it has appeared that the person concerned would misuse a registration and the associated rights by seriously compromising the aims of the Foundation. d. in the event of conduct that has a bearing on future professional practice as referred to in Article 7.42a WHW, following the advice of the examination board concerned. 2. Decisions based on the first paragraph are to be in writing and supported by reasons. 3. An interested party may file a written objection to decisions as referred to in the first paragraph no later than six weeks after the date of the decision to which the objection relates. The letter of objection must be directed to the Objections, Appeals and Complaints Office. Before a decision is taken on the letter of objection, advice will be sought from the Disputes Advisory Committee as referred to in Article 7.63a WHW. 10

11 Article 3.6 Termination of registration 1. On behalf of the Executive Board, the student administration department will terminate the registration of a student or external candidate on the following grounds: a. At the request of the person registered, effective the following month; b. If the person registered for a study programme fails to pay the tuition fees, institutional tuition fees or examination fees after receiving a demand for payment, effective the second month after the demand for payment c. By virtue of a binding negative study advice drawn up in writing by the Examination Board as referred to in Section 7.8b WHW, effective the following month; d. By virtue a recommendation of the Examination Board adopted by the Executive Board or the Dean to terminate the registration as a result of serious fraud as referred to in Section 7.12b WHW, effective the following month; e. The person registered does not respect the principles and objectives of the HvA or there are grounds to believe that the person concerned would misuse a registration and the associated rights as referred to in Section 7.37 WHW, effective the following month; f. In the case of conduct associated with the future professional practice as referred to in Section 7.42a WHW, following recommendations from the Examination Board or the student counsellor concerned and effective the following month; g. In the event of a disciplinary measure as referred to in Section 7.57h WHW, effective the following month; h. The registration took place based on incorrect and/or falsified data, effective immediately. 2. Decisions as referred to in the first paragraph are to be in writing and supported by reasons. 3. Requests as referred to in paragraph 1 (a) are to be submitted via studielink to the student administration department. The person registered may grant a third party not a person employed by the foundation authority, which authority may be granted exclusively by means of a written authorisation, to terminate the registration on behalf of the registered person. 4. An interested party may file a written objection to decisions as referred to in the first paragraph no later than six weeks after the date of the decision to which the objection relates. The letter of objection must be directed to the Objections, Appeals and Complaints Office. Before a decision is taken on the letter of objection, advice will be sought from the Disputes Advisory Committee as referred to in Section 7.63a WHW. 5. The student administration department is to inform the Education Implementation Service (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, DUO) regarding decisions referred to in the first paragraph. Article 3.7 Rights and duties of students and external candidates 1. Registration as a student grants the right to: a. the education of the study programme in which the student is enrolled provided that the applicable conditions have been met; b. the sitting of the preliminary examinations and the taking of tests for the units of study associated with the study programme as well as the sitting of the examinations of the study programme; c. admittance to the buildings and grounds of the HvA unless, in the opinion of the Executive Board or the Dean, such admittance is at odds with the nature or interests of the study programme or research; d. make use of the educational facilities in accordance with the provisions for use set out by or on behalf of the Executive Board; 11

12 e. view the file on the student kept by the HvA; f. counselling and duties of a Student Counsellor. The Dean is to give particular care to the supervision of students with a handicap and students from an ethnic or cultural minority of whom participation in higher education falls short to a considerable degree of the participation of those who do not belong to such a minority; g. active and passive voting for the Representative Advisory Council and Representative Council of the school to which the study programme of the student belongs, in accordance with that which is provided for in the regulations of the Representative Advisory Council; 2. Registration as an external candidate for a Bachelor s study programme may only grant the right to that provided for in the first paragraph (b, c, e and f). 3. Should the rights referred to in the first paragraph not be exercised or if it is not possible for the student to exercise them sufficiently as a result of a handicap, the HvA and/or the Dean is obliged, with due observation of the legal frameworks and according to standards of reasonableness and fairness, to take suitable steps on behalf of the student. 4. Should the Executive Board terminate a study programme, it is to determine the time when such a decision is to take effect and in such a manner that the students enrolled in the study programme can complete the study programme within a reasonable period at the same or at an alternative institution. 5. The HvA subscribes to the code of conduct for international students in Dutch higher education. This means that both the HvA and the student may derive rights and obligations from such a code of conduct. 6. Students, external candidates and course participants are not permitted to enter into obligations on behalf of the HvA without the express and written permission of the Executive Board or the Dean nor to permit third parties to quote the name of the HvA and/or to use the logo of the HvA, not even in connection with educational activities. The HvA reserves the right to recover any damage from the violator with regard to any violation referred to in the previous sentence. 7. Registration as a student or external candidate results in at least the following obligations: a. to participate in practical exercises should these be prescribed in the Teaching and Examination Regulations of the study programme concerned; b. to behave properly in the buildings and in the grounds used by the HvA in accordance with the regulations of or by virtue of the Student Charter; c. to be able to identify themselves on demand to persons designated by the Executive Board in order to ascertain whether he or she is entitled to participate in the education provided by the HvA and to enter the buildings or grounds of the HvA. Article 3.8 Proof of enrolment 1. The person who is enrolled is issued with a student identity card within two months of the first day of the academic year concerned or, if interim enrolment has taken place, within two months of such time. The card is to be provided with a photograph of the student showing a good likeness. 2. On the loss or theft of the proof of enrolment as referred to in the first paragraph, the student may request a duplicate proof of enrolment from the student administration department. 3. There are costs associated with a duplicate as referred to in the second paragraph and these will be charged to the student. 12

13 Article 3.9 Change of address 1. Enrolled students are to inform the student administration department via studielink of any change of address in good time. Students themselves are responsible for the accuracy of their information in studielink. 2. The HvA accepts no responsibility for the consequences of not meeting the obligation referred to in the first paragraph or not doing so in time. Article 3.10 Tuition and examination fees 1. The statutory tuition fees are liable to be paid by a student who a. according to the Central Register of Higher Education Registrations (Centraal register inschrijving hoger onderwijs, CRI-HO) has not previously obtained a Bachelor s degree, in the event of a registration for a Bachelor s study programme, and has not previously obtained a Master s degree, in the event of a registration for a Master s study programme, b. resides in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg or one of the states North Rhine- Westphalia, Lower Saxony and Bremen of the Federal Republic of Germany, and c. belongs to one of the groups of people referred to in Section 2.2 of the 2000 Student Finance Act or has the Surinamese nationality. 2. The condition referred to in paragraph 1 (a), does not apply to students who are taking a study programme in the area of education or healthcare for the first time. 3. The student as referred to in the first paragraph who registers for a full-time study programme is liable to pay the statutory tuition fees in full. If the student as referred to in the first paragraph takes a part-time or dual study programme, the student is liable to pay a part of the statutory tuition fees, which part is to be determined annually by the Executive Board. 4. If a student as referred to in the first paragraph does more than one study programme and the student successfully completes the programme for which he or she first registered, this student is liable to pay the statutory tuition fees for the remaining part of the academic year. In that case, the amount owed is calculated in proportion to the number of remaining months of the academic year concerned. The provisions of this paragraph also apply if the student continues, without interruption, the (second) study programme concerned in the academic year. 5. A student is only liable to pay a part of the statutory tuition fees due if the student registers during the course of the academic year. In that case, the amount owed is calculated in proportion to the number of remaining months of the academic year concerned. 6. The student that does not satisfy the provisions in the previous paragraphs, is liable to pay institution tuition fees as referred to in Section 7.46 WHW. 7. The level of the institution s tuition fees as referred to in the sixth paragraph for a student who has registered for a study programme supported by the Foundation for Refugee Students UAF is equal to statutory tuition fees that apply for the study programme for which the student registers. 8. If a student as referred to in the sixth paragraph subsequently satisfies the provisions in the first paragraph during the course of the academic year, the student is at the student s request liable to pay the statutory tuition fees for the remaining part of the academic year and the institution s tuition fees for the remainder of the academic year will be repaid to the student. 9. In the case of a registered external candidate, the examination fees due are to be determined by the Executive Board. 10. Course fees are due for a person registering as a course participant. 11. An interested party may file a written objection to decisions as referred to in the first up to and including ninth paragraphs no later than six weeks after the date of the decision to which the objection relates. The letter of objection must be directed to the Objections, Appeals and 13

14 Complaints Office. Before a decision is taken on the letter of objection, advice will be sought from the Disputes Advisory Committee as referred to in Section 7.63a WHW. 12. No later than 31 December, the Executive Board is to determine the tuition fees, the examination fees and the policy to be followed in that respect for the academic year commencing in the following calendar year. Article 3.11 Payment of tuition fees 1. The tuition fees are to be paid by or on behalf of the student by: a. payment outright, or b. payment by instalments in accordance with a payment arrangement made by the Executive Board and the person committed to pay, whereby administrative charges can be made by the Executive Board of not more than that permitted by law. 2. Should the tuition fees be paid by instalment, such payment is to be made in nine instalments spread over the entire academic year. 3. The student administration department may issue proof of payment at the request of the student, which will demonstrate that the tuition fees have been settled. Article 3.12 Reduction of and exemption from statutory tuition fees 1. The person who is registered as a student at another funded institution for higher education and who has paid the statutory tuition fees and who in supplement thereto or in lieu thereof wishes to be registered for a Bachelor s study programme at the HvA for the same academic year is exempt from the payment of statutory tuition fees for the latter registration, unless the amount paid or to be paid for the first registration is lower than the statutory tuition fees. In that case the difference is due. 2. In the event a person whose education is being financed from public funds and who is liable to pay school and course fees by virtue of the School and Course Fees Act and who in lieu thereof or in supplement thereto wishes to register at the HvA for the same academic year, for which registration he or she is consequently liable to pay statutory tuition fees, the tuition fees that this person is liable pay for the second registration is the difference between the tuition fees already paid and the tuition fees of the second registration. If the person is liable to pay tuition fees that are lower than the tuition fees already paid, he or she will be exempt from the payment of tuition fees. 3. An interested party may file a written objection to decisions as referred to in this article no later than six weeks after the date of the decision to which the objection relates. The letter of objection must be directed to the Objections, Appeals and Complaints Office. Before a decision is taken on the letter of objection, advice will be sought from the Disputes Advisory Committee as referred to in Section 7.63a WHW. In that case the difference is due. Article 3.13 Refund of statutory tuition fees and institutional tuition fees 1. With respect to the statutory tuition fees that are liable to be paid, the student is entitled to a refund of one twelfth part for each month that the academic year continues after the termination of the student s registration, unless a payment arrangement has been made as referred to in Article 3.11 (1) (b). In the event the termination of the registration takes effect in July or August, the student is not entitled to a refund of tuition fees. 2. Should a student die during the course of the academic year, after his or her death one twelfth of the tuition fees paid is to be refunded for every subsequent month of the academic year. 14

15 3. After a student has terminated the registration via studielink, the student administration department will determine whether the tuition fees are to be repaid based on the rules that apply to the student concerned. 4. The provisions of the first and third paragraphs apply by analogy to the student that pays institutional tuition fees as referred to in Article 7.46 WHW and: a. who terminates the registration after obtaining his or her diploma; b. whose registration is terminated after receiving a binding negative study advice; c. who as demonstrated by a doctor s statement is not able to continue with the rest of the study programme on medical grounds or who is faced with personal not financial circumstances which in the opinion of the Executive Board are of such a nature that the student cannot be reasonably expected to continue the study programme. The request for a refund of the institutional tuition fees on the grounds of personal circumstances may be accompanied by a recommendation from the student counsellor. 5. An interested party may file a written objection to decisions as referred to in the first, second and fourth paragraphs no later than six weeks after the date of the decision to which the objection relates. The letter of objection must be directed to the Objections, Appeals and Complaints Office. Before a decision is taken on the letter of objection, advice will be sought from the Disputes Advisory Committee as referred to in Section 7.63a WHW. Article 3.14 Other contributions 1. The registration for a government-funded study programme is not subject to the payment of funds other than tuition fees and examination fees. 2. If (additional) costs are required for a component of a study programme, the student must be offered an alternative, unless this is not possible in connection with the specific nature or structure of the study programme. The level of any (additional) costs required must be reasonable. 3. If activities and facilities do not form part of a study programme, participation in and/or use of the study programme will take place on a voluntary basis. The student may be charged for the costs of participation. Article 3.15 Damages and penalty stipulations 1. The person who is not registered and uses the Teaching and Examination facilities is due to pay compensation to the HvA equal to the tuition fees due, in accordance with the provisions of Section 15.2 WHW. 2. The person who does not satisfy the provisions of paragraph 1 of this article is guilty of an offence and may be punishable in accordance with the provisions in Section 15.3 WHW with a second-category fine. 3. The person who uses the Teaching and Examination facilities of the HvA is obliged on that occasion or immediately thereafter to make his or her name and address known at the first request and provide evidence that proves that he or she is entitled to use the same and to submit such for inspection by any member of staff of the HvA who requests such on behalf of the Executive Board. The person who does not meet the duty to identify himself or herself is committing an offence and may be punishable for such with a first-category fine in accordance with the provisions of Section 15.4 WHW. 15

16 Chapter 4 Education Article 4.1 Quality of education and research 1. The Executive Board is to determine the quality of the teaching and research applicable to the schools. The HvA has a system of internal quality control with regard to the monitoring of the quality of the education and research where the (quality of) teaching and research of a study programme is periodically assessed and where, in the event that the level of quality is found to be lacking, improvements are developed and executed. 2. The deans and management of the study programmes are to determine their own missions, the distinct associated profiles, and the related aims and quality characteristics, with due regard for the scope set by the Executive Board and in consultation with the staff and students. 3. The aims and quality characteristics are to be checked against the quality requirements set down by the authorities regarding the accreditation of study programmes as referred to in Section 5a.8 WHW. 4. The views, policy and execution are to be documented; such documentation is available to all parties concerned. 5. Work on the determination, measurement, analysis and improvement of the quality of the education and research is to be on-going and structured in character through a system of internal quality assurance. Students are involved in this process. Article 4.2 Educational aims 1. The educational aims of a study programme and the competencies acquired are derived from the generally accepted Higher Education core qualifications, of the profile of the profession or professions for the practice of which the education prepares the student and of the views and profiling associated with the study programme. 2. The study guide of the study programme or some other medium determined by the Dean that is easily accessible to the students provides the following information per study programme unit: a. the aims of the study programme (in relation to the competencies); b. the content of the study programme; c. the form(s) of the instruction; d. the study load; e. the type and content of the testing; f. the assessment criteria. 3. For each study programme - as well as any specialisations associated with a specific study programme - the subjects stated in the second paragraph are outlined in the Teaching and Examination Regulations. Article 4.3 Practical training, assignments and excursions 1. Information about the practical exercises including the practical trainings that are to be done outside the UvA and the research work which form part of the study programme are included in the Teaching and Examination Regulations. 2. The rights and obligations of the student vis-à-vis the UvA and the organisation offering or requesting the practical training are recorded in a written agreement. 3. In signing the agreement as referred to in the second paragraph the student transfers any copyright to the UvA regarding the activities to be undertaken during the period referred to in the first paragraph, unless the parties have agreed otherwise in writing. 16

17 4. Students are to be informed in good time concerning excursions which form part of the educational programme. 17

18 Chapter 5 Financial assistance Article 5.1 FOS Commission 1. The Executive Board has appointed a commission for the Financial Relief Fund for Students (FOS Commission) for the provision of financial assistance for students as referred to in this chapter. 2. The commission referred to in the first paragraph is to consist of at least two and not more than three members of whom at least one is to be appointed on the proposal of the Representative Advisory Council. The Executive Board is to appoint the members once the Representative Advisory Council has been consulted regarding the intended composition. The Executive Board may decide at any time to terminate the membership of any member of the FOS Commission in the case of dysfunction. The Representative Advisory Council is to be informed of such a decision. The Executive Board may appoint deputy members. Article 5.2 Profiling fund The HvA has facilities to financially support the student that: a. is registered at the HvA for a study programme for which he/she has not yet been awarded a degree and who is liable to pay the statutory tuition fees, b. does not or does not fully pursue the study programme owing to an exceptional circumstance and who, in connection with the aforementioned study programme, is or was entitled to a performance-linked student grant (prestatiebeurs) as referred to in Chapter 5 of the 2000 Student Finance Act, and c. has suffered a delay in pursuing the study programme or who expects such a delay owing to exceptional circumstances, or d. is registered for a study programme which has not been reaccredited and for which the student has not yet been awarded a degree. Article 5.3 Exceptional circumstances 1. The exceptional circumstances as referred to in Article 5.2 (b and c) are: a. the membership of the board of a student organization of some size with full legal capacity, a programme committee, the Representative Advisory Council or a representative council, b. activities of an administrative or social nature that, in the opinion of the Executive Board, are partly in the interest of the HvA or of the study programme the student is doing, c. illness, pregnancy, delivery, d. a physical, sensory or other functional disorder, e. exceptional family circumstances, f. a delay in study that is the result of the manner in which a study programme is actually conducted; g. the participating in top-level sport. The Executive Board will determine guidelines regarding what is classified as top-level sport as referred to in this article. These guidelines are included in the Top-Sport Regulations of the Hogeschool van Amsterdam, University of Applied Sciences. h. other circumstances which might result in unfairness that would be cause for concern should the request based on such circumstances for financial assistance not be honoured by the management of the school. 18

19 2. The duration of the financial assistance to the student as referred to in paragraph 1 (d), is a period that corresponds with the study load that exceeds 60 credits. 3. The financial assistance as referred to in paragraph 1 (b to h inclusive), is not higher than the financial assistance that the person concerned enjoys pursuant to Chapter 3 of the 2000 Student Finance Act (Wet studiefinanciering 2000, WSF) or would have enjoyed if he or she claimed it or would have been allowed to claim it. The level of the financial assistance from the Representative Advisory Council and the Representative Council and the manner in which the assistance is awarded is laid out in the facility scheme as referred to in Article 19 paragraph 2 of the regulations for the Representative Advisory Council. The HvA reserves the right to attach to the award of financial assistance the condition that the student is actually studying. 4. In derogation from the provisions in Article 5.2 and the previous paragraphs, claims can be made from the profiling fund by a non-eea student who is liable to pay the institutional tuition fees for the entire year and whose academic performance qualifies as excellent according to criteria to be determined by the Executive Board at the beginning of the academic year. The level of the financial assistance as referred to in this paragraph amounts to half of the tuition fees owed for the academic year in which the financial assistance is requested. Article 5.4 Procedure for requesting financial assistance from the profiling fund 1. The student to whom one of the circumstances referred to in Article 5.3 applies is to contact the student counsellor of the Bachelor s study programme where he or she is registered as soon as possible but in any case within three months of the commencement of the circumstances. In derogation from the provisions in the previous sentence, a student as referred to in Article 5.3 (4), must submit an application for financial assistance no later than 31 December of the year in which the academic year ends for which the financial assistance is requested. 2. A request for financial assistance is to be submitted as soon as possible following the end of the delaying circumstance and the determination of the delay in study, but not later than 31 December following the end of the academic year in which the circumstance arose. 3. A request is to be accompanied by the following: a. in the case of a request as referred to in Article 5.3 (c and d), a declaration from a physician, paramedic or a recognised behaviourist is to be submitted indicating the period during which the exceptional circumstances occurred and that makes plausible the delay caused in the study; b. in the case of a request as referred to in Article 5.3 (e), documentary evidence that demonstrates the special family circumstances; c. in the case of an application as referred to in Article 5.3 (a, b, g and h), relevant documents that substantiate the application; d. an explanation from the applicant; e. a statement drawn up by the study programme staff regarding the actual delay in study incurred, taking into account the study programme scheduling and the duration of the exceptional circumstances; f. the applicable notifications from the DUO. 4. Any request as referred to in the first paragraph is to be submitted to the student counsellor of the study programme the person concerned is enrolled in by means of a completed, dated and signed application form including the items of evidence requested in the third paragraph. 5. The student counsellor is to send the request accompanied by the documentary evidence referred to in the fourth paragraph to the FOS Commission without delay, but in any case within four weeks after it has been submitted, accompanied by his or her advice on the matter. 19

20 The FOS Committee will then make a recommendation to the Executive Board based on the documents submitted. Article 5.5 Decision period 1. The Executive Board will reach a decision on the request for financial assistance from the profiling fund no later than six weeks following the submission of the request and will inform the requester appropriately. 2. An interested party may file a written objection to decisions as referred to in the first paragraph no later than six weeks after the date of the decision to which the objection relates. The letter of objection must be directed to the Objections, Appeals and Complaints Office. Before a decision is taken on the letter of objection, advice will be sought from the Disputes Advisory Committee as referred to in Section 7.63a WHW. Article 5.6 Payment of financial assistance and settlement 1. Should financial assistance be awarded based on Article 5.3 (a and b), any compensation that the student has received for the membership concerned or the activities of the UvA is subtracted from the financial assistance; 2. The financial assistance is to be paid in monthly instalments. No taxation and/or social insurance premiums are to be deducted; any obligation to pay rests entirely with the student. Article 5.7 Committee Member Grant The financial assistance that is based on the exceptional circumstance as referred to in Article 5.3 (1) (a) not being the membership of a programme committee, the Representative Advisory Council or a Representative Council is designated a committee member grant. Only students that are administrators of a legal entity with full legal capacity that is recognised by the HvA are eligible for a committee member grant. Article 5.8 Recognition of a student organisation 1. It is the task of the Student Affairs Department, on behalf of the Executive Board, to recognise a student organisation as an organisation of which the members of the organisation s board may be eligible for a committee member grant as referred to in Article The application for recognition is to be submitted to the Student Affairs Department and accompanied by the articles of association of the legal entity concerned, an excerpt from the trade register that is not more than six months old, a policy plan, an activity plan, and a declaration signed by all the members of the committee with an accurate description of the activities of the various members of the committee and the time that is involved. 3. Recognition of a student organisation will be communicated in writing. This notification will also specify the period during which the student organisation will be recognised and, if appropriate, the relevant conditions. Article 5.9 Support of student organisations 1. The UvA recognises the right of students to establish a student organisation and to maintain it and is prepared, taking into account the financial resources of the HvA, to support such an organisation financially with due observation of the provisions of second and third paragraphs. 20