WUR employees protested the planned budget cuts with loud whistling. Photo Resource Referee whistles, vuvuzelas and even the occasional siren: well over 150 protestors blew the proverbial whistle on the cabinet’s intended cutbacks in tertiary education this Wednesday at lunchtime. Many other universities and educational institutes did the same.
Board members Rens Buchwaldt and Carolien Kroeze greeted the protestors in Atlas’ central hall (‘a tight fit’, according to security). They voiced their full support for the protest. ‘We’re happy to see you all here, despite the unfavourable reason’, said Rense Buchwaldt. He called the planned austerity measures completely illogical. ‘The cabinet speaks of innovation and economic growth. But how can you innovate while simultaneously cutting the budgets for education and science?’
Buchwaldt said he hopes today’s protests will have an impact on the decision-making process in the House of Representatives. ‘Today is an important day. Our message to The Hague: Don’t do it!’
Photo: Board members Rens Buchwaldt and Carolien Kroeze with the photo collages they were given by the protestors showing Wageningen employees and students at the protest in The Hague – which Kroeze also attended, with board president Sjoukje Heimovaara.
