The Dutch University Occupations of the 1960s were a series of student strikes and university occupations aiming to democratise the university system in the Netherlands in favour of workers and students.
Background
Inspired by similar movements in France and Germany, a new student movement began aiming for the restructuring of the university system around democratic lines. Traditionally, Dutch universities were public and managed by the state. A Board of Curators (College van Curatoren) was responsible for upholding laws and regulations implemented by the government over universities, maintaining the quality of the teaching programmes, academic buildings, and university possessions. The Curatoren also administered university finances. Gradually the Curatoren’s role shifted to become more organizational rather than policy oriented.
A group known as the Maris committee was established to create a new formal university structure. In 1968, the Maris committee submitted a proposal to eliminate the current reign of dual authority between Curatoren and Senate. Instead, they planned to introduce a hierarchical system by which professors would report to departmental deans, and the deans would report to a central governing board with broad power known as the Presidium.
Events
Angry professors (who feared losing their autonomy and the impact this would have on research) and students (who began to fear education becoming more capitalist). Students occupied university campuses, telephone exchanges and threatened violent action in 1968 and 1969 against the government.
Results
The government