With the ESE Faculty Council elections being held until Tuesday, the future of Erasmus School of Economics is in your hands! But with twelve eligible options, how do you pick just one? Two of our own FAECTOR active members were willing to tell us their priorities, why they decided to participate and, naturally, why you should vote for them.
Please note that some of the views stated in our articles are those of the writers, and not necessarily those of FAECTOR. Find a link to the list of all candidates and voting portal at the bottom of this article.
Tessa De Weser
1st year - International Bachelor Econometrics and Operations Research
What is your number one priority if you make it into the ESE Faculty Council?
To make students feel more heard. While skepticism is a good thing, I think we should work on regaining trust between the faculty and its students. Nowadays, we are being filmed from every angle on exams, yet still get warnings sent to us when the room was shown too quickly or we looked around once or twice. Besides that, education is not on the same level as it used to be pre-Covid. Though that is of course not entirely the faculty’s fault, we should all acknowledge this and now more than ever put in the effort to help students that are struggling.
What made you want to be part of the council?
Mostly just having had these same issues in the past, and friends of mine dealing with them as well. Having thought of solutions together but not being able to put them to use would always frustrate me. In the council, I want to find out more about why the system works the way it does and how we can improve it. Make real changes with real student feedback. Secondly, I think student representation is very important. Seeing how only a fourth of this election’s applicants are women, it really did motivate me to go for it.
What differentiates you as a candidate in these elections?
I’ve always wanted to know everyone’s opinion and perspective. No one should ever feel like they’re being left out of a debate. I’m good at rationally thinking of what the possible solutions could be. Besides, being one of the writers on this platform, I’m generally well informed about relevant issues. I’m also extremely direct, maybe even too much so, but in pointing out problems this is definitely a great advantage. Being an international student who is also half-Dutch, I aim to represent all students equally. If I make it into the council, my main goal won’t be to reference only my bubble of friends or help my CV along, but instead to be a focal point for as many students as possible.
Joep Louwerse
1st year - Bachelor Econometrie en Operationele Research
What is your number one priority if you make it into the ESE Faculty Council?
I want to make sure that all subjects are more consistently organised. No more struggle to find your link and no more searching for extra material in the most exotic places. Improving the quality of the ESE and thereby reducing the stress level of students is my number one priority.
What made you want to be part of the council?
Finding my way in the faculty as a first year student in corona times made me realise that the online teaching and testing system is still quite rudimentary, and needs to be taken to the next level. Corona has shown us the usefulness of online teaching. I personally want to make sure that we use this knowledge to our advantage when physical lessons will be possible again. For example I want teachers to keep recording and make online exams possible for those who need it, but without the unnecessary hassle of a second camera. And as Albert Einstein said, “Nothing happens until something moves”, I want to move straight into this council to make things happen.
What differentiates you as a candidate in these elections?
I think in solutions, not in problems. In my opinion a positive approach creates opportunities. In addition, I often think out of the box. This in combination with a down to earth and practical hands on mentality - like they say in Rotterdam, “niet lullen maar poetsen” (don't talk but brush up) - means that I can get things done. I do not make empty promises. So, although I do not promise you the moon, I will give everything to keep those promises I do make. I am also easy to get along with, and I do wish to represent a broad spectrum of students. You can approach me anytime with suggestions!
To see who else is participating in these elections, and to vote for someone yourself, check out the link below :)