To stop the decline in aio-intake, P&O devised a plan in 1998. By giving the PhD students a bit more salary and a bonus of 35,000 guilder, more young scientists would choose the UT. PhD students could use the incentive however they wanted, to buy a computer, attend courses, or visit conferences.
'The new policy is reasonably effective', says Gon Radstake, deputy head of the P&O department. 'Even though aio's initially choose the university on the basis of content, research shows that for more than half of them the bonus was instrumental in their choice for the UT.'
Now, two years after introduction, the UT will probably withdraw the scheme. 'Not because it does not work', according to Radstake, 'but because the new collective labour agreement (CAO) for the Dutch Universities demands it.' This CAO states that aio-salaries will rise by 25 in the first, by 20 in the second, by 10 in the third and by 5 percent in the last year.
In the concept proposal P&O outlines three new payment models for aio's. All three show a salary raise. All three will also abolish the aio-package. If the UT chooses payment model one, aio's will start with 3698 and end in their fourth year with 4281 guilder per month. The publishing cost of the thesis will be reimbursed. This does mean that the book will have to be published at the Twente University Press. Which would, perhaps, not be an attractive prospect for aio's who could publish their thesis at Boom or MIT-Press.
Option two shows a substantial salary increase. In the first year PhD student get 4267 and in their last year 4929 guilder per month. Option three assumes respectively 4061 and 4687 guilder per month. Both in option two and three the thesis is no longer paid for.
In all three models aio's have to ask their faculties for money for courses and conference visits. This need not be a problem according to Radstake. 'Research groups paid those costs before the introduction of the bonus.' Froukje Jellema from the Twents Aioberaad (TAB) does expect difficulties. 'There are a large number of departments with little money. Aio's can only go to a large conference outside the Netherlands once during the four years. Moreover,professors will not pay for courses not directly related to your research field. The aio-budget was meant to give you the opportunity for a broader development, to give you a better chance on the labour market.'
Especially for aio's in their third or fourth year the options seem unfavourable. The salary raise they get is small and they do have to relinquish a substantial part of their bonus. 'A transitional arrangement has not been proposed yet', according to Jellema. 'I think that that is unjust. The UT has to adhere to arrangements made in the past.'
According to Jellema the P&O plans have caused a great deal of unrest. 'Aio's and oio's do not know whether they will be able to go the conferences or courses in the coming years. Some aio's are considering spending their budgets as soon as possible.' Radstake thinks that the unrest is premature. 'We are in discussion with the TAB. We listen seriously to their arguments. We will consider them for the final proposal. This will be discussed by the board of governors on 14 September. Until then I cannot say whether the aio's will be better off or not. But until then nothing is fixed either.'
