Vrije notitie; Verantwoordingsplicht en verantwoordelijkheidsbesef onder Veringa

Samenvatting

The Veringa Law has been passed providing for the participation of students and nonprofessorial teaching staff in the making of decisions which directly affect them. The system is not fully democratic in that the senior faculty has much more say than the junior faculty and students. The minister of sciences and education has veto power over all decisions. The question is to what extent this mass participation will lead to mass responsibility. Normally, the right to make a decision is tied to responsibility for that decision. However, when too many people are involved, it is likely that no one will take responsibility for a particular decision. When something goes amiss in this type of situation, an evaluation committee is usually formed and the affair is soon forgotten. Feelings of responsibility also will not be increased by the endless meetings and debate which will doubtless be the result of democratization. It is therefore fortunate that the minister has retained his veto power and that the faculty has the amount of influence that it does. P. Tiersma.