Protocol delay in research or thesis project

[This protocol is translated from the Dutch and no rights can be derived from any errors in translation.]

This protocol describes the events in case the planned ending date of a research project cannot be met, or extension of or addition to the project is necessary.

  1. This protocol takes effect on 1 September 2019. Students that are already working on a research project at that time and feel they are disadvantaged by changes in the protocol can claim rights based on an earlier version of this protocol. There will be strict adherence to the ending date as specified (before starting the project) in the ‘application form’ or in OSIRIS-zaak. The ending date is the last date by which the final grade is determined. The ending date is based on full-time study. If an assessment is reasonably possible on the ending date, the assessment will be made and processed.
  2. If on the ending date the result of the assessment is an insufficient grade and the student has a right to:
    a. a re-take exam (‘aanvullende toets’) 1
    b. or in the opinion of the first examiner, the student has a valid reason for extending the project the student receives the mark AANV and the project length can be extended once with a maximum of 1/3 of the nominal original length. Note that a delay because of an impending publication is not a valid reason. For projects with a numerical grade, the maximum final grade after extension is an 8. In case the research project is split into two parts and the first part is extended, the beginning and enddates of the second part are moved up with the length of the extension.
  3. If on the endi date the result of the assessment is an insufficient grade and the student has no right to a re-take exam (‘aanvullende toets’), and there is no valid reason to extend the project, no extension of the project will be granted, and the student can complete the project only be starting a new project.
  4. Hardship clause: If the endi date cannot be met be due to a delay of the project caused by circumstances beyond the control of student, upon request of a student, if necessary after a consultation with the student counsellor, the board of examiners can decide to extend the ending date with a maximum of 1/3 of the nominal project time. Such an extension can only be granted twice, afterwards the board of examiners will decide about the possible continuation of the project. If this hardship clause is applied, the maximum time limit for obtaining a cum laude judicium will not be strictly enforced, and the board of examiners will instead use a limit that is reasonable under the given circumstances. The new end date must be in reasonable proportion with the sustained delay and has to be determined as quickly as possible after the delay is discovered. After approval from the board of examiners, the board of examiners is responsible for sending the new end date to the ‘Studiepunt’.
  5. Disagreements will be presented to the programme leader. If no consensus can be reached than the board of examiners will take a decision in the spirit of this protocol.
  6. This protocol will be published by the Graduate School of Natural Sciences on the students’ website and annexed to the Education and Examination Regulations (EER).

1 In conformity to the EER (OER), art.5.5. This means at least that the student has met the minimal obligations associated with the project.