With Alexandra van Huffelen, Radboud University is getting a president who has earned her reputation in The Hague. Is she the right person to steer the University through these financially tough times? Opinions on this differ on the Nijmegen campus.

Sven Braster, Chair of the University Student Council:

‘Together with representatives of the Supervisory Board, the Works Council and the Deans, I was a member of the Appointment Advisory Committee (BAC) that advised the Supervisory Board to appoint Alexandra van Huffelen.’

‘For her, the University does not consist of separate disciplines all doing their own thing; instead she sees the breadth of our University as a strength. She strikes me as someone who believes that the university should seek connection with society. She wants to get rid of the idea of an academia locked in its ivory tower. That seems important to me, especially at a time when trust and confidence in science and education is not particularly high.’

‘How I would characterise the new President of the Executive Board? In my opinion, she is someone who does not let people walk all over her, but at the same time can communicate openly and transparently. Her political network seems extremely useful in these times.’

‘Of course, I hope Van Huffelen understands that universities are not educational factories where students come to get degrees. That she also embraces what it means to be a student and, in particular, active student life. And that she is also there for students who are politically active, completing an honours programme, or acting as informal carers.’

Ashley Terlouw, Professor of Sociology of Law and Chair of the Radboud Network of Women Professors:

‘Alexandra van Huffelen understands politics and finance. That is a dire necessity in these days of political disdain for and budget cuts to science.’

‘In my view, having three women leading the university is not a problem; it might even be a good thing. In the long run, we do want a gender-diverse board. But given the current state of the university hierarchy, in which most administrative and professorial positions are still held by men, these three women may actually be an incentive to break the male stronghold. Plus, there are of course other forms of diversity than those based on gender. For example, we do not yet have board members of colour or with disabilities.’

‘I therefore consider her to be an asset to the university. Not just because she is the first female President of the Board ever, but mainly because of her knowledge and experience. Hopefully she can contribute to our fight against fact-free politics.’

Marc van Oostendorp, Professor of Dutch and Academic Communication and active member of action group WOinAction:

‘I am disappointed. Due to political choices, black clouds are gathering over the academic landscape, and it is more important than ever that we form a close-knit community at the university. So many enthusiastic, committed and competent people work here; we need to hold on to each other in these difficult times.’

‘It is crucial that our administrators come from their own community. There are plenty of people within our organisation with a talent for leadership. We need people who have a vested interest in this university, who are as attached to this campus as we are. Not because it is their profession as administrators to commit to something different every time, but because science and the academic enterprise are at the core of their lives. The fact that Ms Van Huffelen is already announcing her intention to pursue her political career alongside her work here shows little commitment beforehand. We all have to work around the clock if we want to make sure we can stay afloat.’

‘It is also better for administrators if they are more clearly rooted in the academic enterprise. That legitimacy allows them to more easily guide us all through these turbulent times. They should really listen to us and never give the impression that the dialogue with politicians comes first.’

‘Having said that, I of course wish Ms Van Huffelen all the best. Hopefully, she will in time develop a heart for Radboud University. I hope she will dare to lead us in our fight against the unholy balderdash policy.’

Arnoud Lagendijk, Professor of Political Geography and Director of the General Education Union:

‘Alexandra Van Huffelen has a strong profile: she has a lot of administrative experience and a national network. She also comes from an education-friendly party, which is much needed in these times. We hope that, also on the basis of her background, she can contribute to making the university more democratic – giving us more say in the appointment of future members of the Executive Board.’

‘The university is not a company or an NGO’

‘The fact that there are now three women on the Executive Board is a great incentive to work towards more gender equality. However, two of the current Board members are not scientists. As far as we are concerned, their challenge and task is to strongly empathise with and work from academic practice. After all, the university is not a company or an NGO.’

‘We assume that Van Huffelen will use her qualities to maintain and strengthen the connection within the university, and that she will make every effort to reverse the budget cut plans.’

Sophie den Ouden, city councillor in Nijmegen on behalf of D66 and Radboud University alumna:

‘As an administrator, Van Huffelen dares to articulate what is at stake, while at the same time being very committed to and always in contact with others. She also demonstrated these qualities as secretary of state responsible for handling the Childcare benefits scandal.’

‘Does she have a good chance of becoming chair of D66? Sure, there are only two candidates (in addition to Alexandra van Huffelen, Janarthanan Sundaram is also a candidate, eds.), so the odds are 50%. The current chair of D66, Victor Everhardt, also has a tough job as administrator of a knowledge platform. I have no doubt that Alexandra van Huffelen has thought this through for herself.’

Max Visser, Vice Chair of the Works Council:

‘As a Works Council, we hope for a fruitful cooperation with the new President of the Board. Van Huffelen does come from outside the university world, which means on the one hand that she brings with her a large political-administrative network, but on the other hand, she may have to get used to the specific character of the university organisation and the participational bodies.’

‘She will have to address big themes: social safety, the Campus Plan and falling student numbers

‘The biggest challenge for the new president will be finances, with a government that is at loggerheads with the academic world. Hopefully, Van Huffelen’s Hague contacts will prove helpful in this respect. She will also have to address the big themes at Radboud University: social safety, the Campus Plan and falling student numbers.’

‘Her potential position as chair of D66 brings both advantages and disadvantages, as far as we are concerned. An advantage is the political network she brings; a disadvantage is that, especially with the current government, this kind of strong party profiling can be counterproductive. And the time commitment for chairing a national party – nominally 16 hours – is also often greater than expected, due to unexpected political events. Also, two new positions at the same time, that is quite a load. On the other hand, this still rather Catholic university is getting a decidedly liberal president, which is another interesting development.’

Esther-Mirjam Sent, Professor of Economics and Chair of PvdA:

‘I personally congratulated Alexandra because we served together on the Senate. I look forward to having her as President of Radboud University and I would love it if she became a fellow party chair.’

Gerard de Korte, Bishop of Den Bosch:

‘How wonderful that a woman was chosen for this responsible task. That is entirely in line with the Synod’s recent final document on synodality (a major consultation on the future of the Roman Catholic Church, eds.).’

‘As a local bishop, I hope for a good cooperation with the new President of the Board. For several years, we have been rethinking the connection between the Church and the university. I hope Ms van Huffelen can play a constructive role in this. This will make it possible to further build on Radboud University as a house of wisdom.’

Daniel Wigboldus, current President of the Board:

‘Alexandra van Huffelen’s extensive administrative experience is going to be of great value to Radboud University. Her connecting skills and decisiveness will play an important role in the challenges the university faces. I wish her every success and much job satisfaction at our wonderful university. I hope that, alongside the administrative challenges, she comes to enjoy the academic breadth the university has to offer.’