AAP/WP representation Faculty Council
Who are we and what do we do?
Representation and policy
In the Faculty Council, there are eight representatives of the AAP/WP (assistant academic staff / research staff) section, who are elected for two academic years. The Faculty Council defines the policy of the faculty of Arts and Philosophy, ranging from long-term policy plans to specific dossiers such as renovations or welfare at work. In the Faculty Council, these eight young researchers represent the AAP (assistants, teaching assistants and post-doctoral assistants) and all externally funded (FWO, BOF, etc.) pre-doctoral and post-doctoral researchers. They not only have an advisory role, but are also entitled to vote on the recommendations that the Faculty Board prepares for the Board of Governors and the Executive Board. In practice, this often concerns recommendations in connection with appointments, selection committees and renewals at various levels, as well as on doctorates, research and educational affairs and the organisation of buildings and classrooms.
The AAP/WP representatives also contribute to the reflection on the faculty AAP policy. In the Faculty Council, they watch over the university policy principles with regard to the AAP, including, for example, the decree-determined job description of assistants that reserves 50% for research (cf. Article 67 of the 'University Decree'). In this way, they guarantee the interests of the AAP within the broader faculty operation, now and in the future, both in terms of employment and welfare. In the short term, this often concerns small changes, but in the longer term they are also committed to maintaining and further developing a consistent and balanced AAP policy. Concrete recent achievements include, for example, obtaining a transitional measure in the abolition of the renewals of post-doctoral assistant positions and the systematic inclusion of an AAP welfare policy on the agenda of the Faculty Council.
However, the Faculty Council is primarily an overarching policy and advisory body, under which all kinds of more focused committees function. To have a seat in these committees, you must also have a seat in the Faculty Council. The AAP representatives have a seat in the Board of the Doctoral School of Arts, Humanities, and Law, as well as in a number of other important faculty committees: the Policy Committee, the Scientific Research Committee (CWO), the Educational Quality Control Unit (CKO), the International Relations Committee, the Visiting Professors Committee, the Buildings Committee and the various appointment committees. Since last year, they are also members of the Education Evaluation Committees and the Ethics Committee.
Welfare
Apart from looking after and defending the interests and concerns of the AAP/WP, the representatives also have an important mediating role between the AAP/WP and the other sections, in particular the ZAP. In the faculty Welfare Committee, the relations between the ZAP and the AAP are structurally discussed and we try to strive for a better course of a (post)doctoral project. By weighing in on the appointment and functioning of the ombudsmen and trusted representatives, the representatives also have a say in the evaluation of the complaints processing of AAP staff. In addition, we can also try to solve problems on an ad hoc basis when they arise. Do not hesitate to email us for that at aapwp.flw@ugent.be.
In addition, as representatives we are the first point of contact for questions or problems related to welfare. This can be about contact with supervisors, but also about other issues that make you as an AAP staff member not feel good in your skin (or your head). Unfortunately, burn-outs, bored-outs, social isolation and other work-related (psychological) problems still occur at our faculty. So do not keep things bottled up, but contact us about it. We can refer you to the appropriate authorities.
Operation
Every month, the entire AAP/WP representation meets for a preparatory meeting where they review the preparatory documents for the Policy Committee and discuss relevant points from the various committees. During this meeting, they establish the positions they will take at the Policy Committee and the Faculty Council. This preparatory meeting always takes place on Monday afternoon prior to the Policy Committee. After this preparatory meeting, there is a consultation moment with the dean.
In addition, each representative is a member of at least one committee and the representatives also participate in appointment committees. For specific actions, the representatives also meet in addition to these meetings, for example to compose a file around an important theme or to agree on a strategy.
Consultations with the central AAP representatives in the Board of Governors and with the rector himself are also more or less monthly. Since the team of representatives consists of eight members, we spread the work according to interests and agendas. This way, it remains feasible, and also fun.
Each month, the relevant points for the AAP/WP from the Faculty Council and the various committees are communicated to the broader OAP group. These emails also provide a preview of the points on the agenda for the upcoming councils and committees. Additionally, they include an invitation to participate in the monthly preparatory meeting. Contact with the AAP representatives is possible via the email address aapwp.flw@ugent.be. If desired, you can always contact them personally.
The current representatives are:
- Leen Bervoets
- Yannis Brichant
- Benjamin De Vos
- Vanessa De Wilde
- Lander Kesteloot
- Sadi Maréchal
- Maxime Poulain
- Lotte Remue
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