Special regulations

There are several special university-wide regulations governing transfers to another programme, top sports and provisions for study delays that could occur for a number of reasons. A summary description of these regulations is given below. For more detailed information, please consult the Student Charter on line at: http://www.utwente.nl/en/education/study_facilities/charter/index.html. This UT Student Charter contains a wealth of information about students’ rights and obligations as well as other, more general information.

10.1 Transitional regulations

If courses are drastically changed or cancelled, you will be informed of the consequences in writing at the beginning of the academic year.

10.2 Individual regulations

UT students with certain special personal circumstances are eligible for the graduation support regulation. Students may invoke this regulation if, during the period in which they receive a combination of public and private financial assistance (granted by the IBG during the course, consisting of a basis grant plus a possible additional grant and loan) have suffered a delay in their study due to accepted special circumstances. The combination of public and private financial assistance concerns the period for which part of the grant can be converted into a gift, in other words, the period during which the student is entitled to the basic grant. To apply for graduation support, contact the Student Counselling Desk in the Bastille or check: www.utwente.nl/studentenbalie/beurzen_subsidies/afstudeersteunregeling (in Dutch)

Top athletes

Studying at university level and performing at a top level in sports often causes problems. Neither of the two activities can be postponed – studies as well as sports require the person in question to show results in the short term. The UT understands this, which is why it has drafted a policy and regulation for top athletes. For more information, see: www.utwente.nl/studentenbalie/beurzen_subsidies/topsport (in Dutch)

Studying with a handicap

People with a handicap who want to study face many problems. The UT makes every effort to facilitate studying for students with a disability. The Faculty of Behavioural Sciences has a special dispensation regulation for students with a physical or sensory handicap and dyslectic students. They are offered the opportunity to sit examinations individually adapted to their particular needs wherever possible. Subject to this regulation, it is the study counsellor’s responsibility to bring students to the attention of the Bureau of Educational Affairs and the involved Behavioural Sciences lecturers. The students in question must report to the Bureau of Educational Affairs, timely and identical to the regular registration procedure, requesting if they can sit a customized examination. More information can be obtained from: http://www.utwente.nl/studentenbalie/rode_balie/handicap/ (in Dutch!). You also may go to http://www.handicap-studie.nl (in Dutch).

10.3 Graduating abroad

Several programmes within Behavioural Sciences maintain contacts with foreign universities, institutes and companies. These contacts often imply that (within the framework and conditions of such a contact) students may complete parts of their studies abroad. Remember that preparations may take about a year, and you will have to inform your study counsellor or graduation coordinator of your intended ‘departure’ well in advance. The extended period of preparations is necessary as it often proves quite difficult to create the right conditions to guarantee a good result. Having an approved research proposal and operational plan before you travel abroad is highly recommended. In that case, you will also be able to inquire at a faculty’s department whether it has contacts that are relevant to your chosen research.

You can also establish your own contacts with foreign institutes or companies, but always consult the graduation/track coordinator and/or your programme’s graduation supervisor about this. For more information about graduating abroad, contact the faculty’s International Student Services Desk: Ms. Monique Davids, E-mail: m.davids@utwente.nl, Telephone: +31 (0)53 489 8028, Office: Cubicus C107.

Exchange programmes (particularly Socrates)

Under the EU student exchange programme Socrates, Behavioural Sciences has concluded several contracts with other participating European universities. The primary objective of the Socrates programme is to promote cooperation in education between participating countries. It offers an excellent opportunity to study at a foreign university for a few months. All students that meet the programme standards are entitled to apply for participation in the Socrates exchange programme. Participating universities agree on the number of students eligible for exchange. For the time being, that number is limited, as the Socrates scheme is based on the concept of 'tuition waivers’ and, secondly, on limited grants. The University of Twente is trying to have these rules changed in order to enable more students to study abroad in the future. The grants awarded to students have been tabulated by the EC and are based on distance and length of stay. CS and PSY have a maximum length of stay of three months; at OWK/EST this is four months. For information on the universities with which Behavioural Sciences has concluded a Socrates agreement, visit the UT Socrates programme website: http://intoffice.utwente.nl/letsgoabroad.

University agreements
The University of Twente also has contracts with universities and faculties in Europe and beyond. Under the terms of these agreements, students can complete part of their studies, e.g. a minor, a traineeship or a graduation assignment, abroad without having to pay tuition there. Also Behavioural Sciences has a number of agreements with faculties. The terms and obligations differ for each programme, and students who want to apply must first contact their study counsellor or supervisory lecturer of their programme. For more information on these university agreements, contact Ms. Monique Davids, E-mail: m.davids@utwente.nl, Telephone: +31 (0)53 489 8028, Office: Cubicus C107.

10.4 Copyright

In general a student owns the copyright on any realized product within the framework of a study programme. This implies that a student decides whether to make reproductions or release the product publically. However, as long as a student has been registered officially in a faculty’s study programme, the faculty is entitled to use the product internally without any compensation to the student as long as its use fits the faculty’s goals. Using the student’s product for educational purposes is seen as internal use. The same applies when a former student is no longer registered as a student; however, it is understood that a former student will be notified in writing before the product is used.

The following exceptions apply:

-	If realization of the product took place in the framework of a formal tenure at the faculty of the student, then the faculty holds the copyright.

If the realization of the product took place in the context of a graduation project or internship and classified information is involved, then the institute or company where the student did his/her project or internship holds the copyright. Therefore, the institute or company decides whether to make reproductions or release the product publically.

-	If the realization of the product took place in the framework of a group project or group assignment, then the faculty holds the copyright.

If the realization of the product took place in a context where the student has been substantially guided and instructed, then the student does not automatically hold the copyright. This exception requires explanation, and if unimpeded, it means that the faculty, in line with the general rules, is entitled to use the product. In this regard the following may apply:

An assignment and its report has been completed with strict directives from faculty staff. The student has been informed beforehand that the staff member intends to publish the report and mention the student as a co-author. This situation may apply in the framework of a Bachelor’s degree programme where the student plays a junior role. In that case the staff member mentions the student in the acknowledgements.

o	In a collaborative setting, both student and staff member agree that, depending on the quality, the product will be published. In that case the nature and volume of the authors’ contribution to the publication will determine which author will be mentioned first.

If it is clear that the student holds responsibility of the product and that the staff member played the role of expert reviewer giving critical feedback, then the student holds the copyright. The rules mentioned above illustrate that it is necessary that in the context of copyright, aims and conditions need to be explicitly described before realization of the product.

10.5 Student activism regulation

UT students with certain special personal circumstances are eligible for the graduation support regulation. Students may invoke this regulation if, during the period in which they receive a combination of public and private financial assistance (granted by the IBG during the course, consisting of a basic grant plus a possible additional grant and loan) have suffered a delay in their study due to accepted special circumstances The combination of public and private financial assistance concerns the period for which part of the grant can be converted into a gift, in other words, the period during which the student is entitled to the basic grant. To apply for graduation support, contact the Student Counselling Desk in the Bastille or check: http://www.utwente.nl/test/en_info/education/study_facilities/ravis/index.html.

10.6 Support with entrepreneurship

Each year the University of Twente makes a limited number of TOPs (Temporary Entrepreneurs Positions) available for beginning entrepreneurs with innovative ideas to help them bridge the first, usually most difficult year of an enterprise. Also the commercial side, one that often suffers during the first year, receives attention. The TOP regulation is open to graduates and doctoral candidates of the UT, graduates from other universities (including colleges of higher education and universities of applied sciences) and enterprising individuals who wish to develop a product or service with the help of the UT. The condition is, however, that your service or product is associated with one of the research groups of the UT. Your enterprise must be able to stand on its own feet after one year. For more information on the TOP regulation, visit www.utwente.nl/top. For more information, check: http://www.utwente.nl/top.