Caring for and listening to students is very important for CSF. It’s not something that we do because we have to. On the contrary, it is something we like to do as we greatly value the input of every student and thereby come to creative solutions we have never thought about ourselves. We are there because of you!

We try to actively listen to our constituencies, for example by organizing regular meetings with our support group meetings in which we ask for input from the representatives of our constituencies. In addition, CSF also goes on campus to talk to students to stay in touch with them, showing our face and  to see what kind of problems they face. After all, we are the representatives of the Christian students, but also of every student!

The current trends in higher education have a lot of influence on the new generation of students. It’s expected that they finish their studies faster resulting in students having less time to reflect on things outside their study. Graduating appears to have become a goal, with the main condition that they have to fit the labour market.

The disadvantage of this profit thinking is that students forget about the real goal of an academic institute. There is no time for personal development, reflection on science and the development of a vision on society, while this always was one of the core values of a university. As CSF we support reflection because we see that a well-developed vision on life is important for the functioning of society. We encourage students to look in to societal themes, from different visions, religions and cultures. Reflection on, and thinking about these themes is necessary to get to the true nature of life. In a society where polarisation and numbing are a threat the university should take her responsibility in letting young people think for themselves. Teachers should be stimulated to implement critical reflection and societal implementation in their courses.

With the Bible as guidance we can say that Christians have a responsibility for their surroundings. Also within Wageningen University students, so CSF too, have a responsibility that we will explain in 3 parts.

First of all a Christian student is co-responsible for the institute he or she is studying at. The policy, made by the Executive Board (EB), needs to be critically watched by CSF. Practically this means that we constructively think along with the development of policy. Because of our feeling of responsibility CSF will be pay attention whether policy is indeed acted upon and look if policy is serving the university, if this is not the case members of CSF will ask critical questions.

Secondly there is a responsibility towards all students of the university to represent them the right way towards the Executive Board. Christians need to protect vulnerable groups, like students with a physical disability or psychological problems. Vulnerable groups are also students without a social network in Wageningen and people who feel alone. It can be expected that Christian Student Council members put extra effort in creating a social university with extra attention, and if needed support, for this group of students. Of course will CSF try to look after the needs of all students but our Christian roots will also ask us to have special attention for those more unfortunate.

Thirdly CSF feels the responsibility for the functioning of the whole Student Council. We need to focus on the collaboration with the rest of the parties. Responsibility also means that we have to look critically at the functioning of the whole Student Council, as a small party our task is to keep the others sharp.

CSF will make sure that the university, her policymakers, and the policy itself have an integer character and keep it that way. It’s important that students know what they can expect and can trust in an integer board. The executive board should always keep to their word. CSF will be critical towards the design of new policy and point out towards the board if their actions are not integer

Of course integrity is also very important for CSF, it can be expected of a Christian student to do as he says and to say as he does. He can be there for other students, be helpful and have a proper way of looking after the student’s interests. In the Student Council we want to show our integrity by being honest and keeping to our promises.

At a university where employees and students are working hard ‘to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’, sustainability should have an prominent place. The earth we are living on is not ours but God’s, we as humans have the responsibility to take care of our planet. As Christian students we need to have a realistic vision on sustainability within the organisation. Research and education about sustainable solutions for environmental problems have to be promoted, but the university should also focus on making use of natural and sustainable materials and energy.

Sustainability for CSF also includes making sustainable policy, this is policy that doesn’t just solve problems on the short term, but is also focused at preventing problems in the future. Students need a stable study environment instead of a place where rules and policy changes every time.

In addition to the above, CSF highly values sustainable relationships within the university. CSF thinks it is good to maintain a good relationship with the EB and the employees. A disagreement between several parties may exist, but this should not affect the personal relationship and should be based purely on the content of the policy.