About the University Council
Here you can read all about the University Council. Learn more about how it works, what the committees do and day-to-day management.
How does the University Council work?
The University Council is composed of 20 members, equally divided over students and staff. The ten staff delegates are elected every two years, with six representing the academic staff and four representing the support staff. The ten student members are elected annually. The elections for the University Council are organised by the Elections Office. A plenary meeting is held each month with the full council and the Executive Board.
The University Council has a technical chair, who is not a member and is responsible for the running of the council. A vice-chair is elected from the members.
Rules and regulations
The work of the University Council is conducted according to a series of regulations. The UM University Council Regulations govern the rights of the council and its relationship with the Executive Board.The University Council Rules of Procedure specify the way the University Council is organized and how meetings are conducted.
For more details on the University Council, see the University Council Takeover Manual.
To learn more about the members, have a look at the Members page.
Would you like to be part of the University Council? Get involved!
What does the University Council look like?
The University Council consists of:
Three committees: the Operations, Research & Education and Strategy Committee
The Confidential Committee
The Presidium
The registrars
Committees
The University Council has three committees in which staff and students discuss plans and proposals with the Executive Board and UM colleagues: Operations, Research & Education and Strategy. The committees meet every month. Each committee is chaired by an elected member of the council.
Operations Committee
The Operations Committee deals with all supporting services the university provides, including HR, digital services, housing and sustainability. It also deals with all financial matters, including the budget and the annual report. The Vice-President of the university represents the Executive Board to the Operations Committee.
- Netty Bekkers-Vos (chair)
Mark Govers
- Fiona Passanha
- Nino van Beek
Mila van Boxtel
- Andrew Scrivener
- Bram van den Berkmortel
- Amanda Kluveld
Research & Education Committee
The Research and Education Committee deals with all policy relating to research and education, including academic policy, accreditation, quality-control, new education programs, and research facilities. The Rector of the university represents the Executive Board to the Research and Education Committee.
- Jeroen Moes (chair)
- Raymond Luja
- Maarten van Wesel
- Donna Yates
- Jop Smeets
- Shari Celma Crespi
- Krithik Rock
- Alex Lemberg
Strategy Committee
The Strategy Committee deals with the future development of the university, including the strategic program, strategic alliances (including YUFE-related matters), public affairs and political developents, such as the debate on internationalisation. The President of the university represents the Executive Board to the Strategy Committee.
- Nino van Beek (chair)
- Andrada Matauanu
- Maarten van Wesel
- Anne Smid
- Vanessa LaPointe
- Krithik Rock
- Alex Lemberg
- Mauro Cioci
In collaboration with the Executive Board, these committees convene to consider policy proposals that have been submitted to the University Council for advice or endorsement. Their purpose is to prepare particular themes in smaller groups before these are put as items onto the agenda of the council’s plenary meetings with the Executive Board. The committees then provide the University Council with advice to inform its decision-making. The definitive decision-making process occurs in the council’s plenary meetings with the Executive Board.
In addition, members of the University Council are involved in several University-wide committees, for example at the University Library or the Student Service Centre.
Confidential Committee
The University Council also has a Confidential Committee that provides advice about the appointment of Executive and Supervisory Board members, as well as the awarding of honorary doctorates and the Tans Medal. The Confidential Committee also coordinates the appointment and evaluation of the chair of the University Council. The Confidential Committee consists of:
- Donna Yates
- Andrada Matauanu
- Anne Smid
- Shari Celma Crespi
Presidium
The day-to-day management of the University Council is formed by the Presidium. It consists of the chair, the vice-chair and the committee chairs. The Presidium meets every week and coordinates the agenda-setting process and organises all meetings.
In this council year, the Presidium consists of the following members:
- Teun Dekker (Chair)
- Andrew Scrivener (Vice Chair)
- Nino van Beek (Chair committee Strategy)
- Jeroen Moes (Chair committee Research and Education)
- Netty Bekkers-Vos (Chair committee Operations)
The registrars
Administrative support to the University Council is provided by the Registrars, who form the Staff Representation Office (Griffie Medezeggenschap, or MZ). The staff of this office are part of the Maastricht University Office (MUO), situated in the Support Office along with the office and secretariat of the university’s Executive Board.
The Registrars prepare memos received for the council’s meetings and is responsible for providing the council with administrative support. At the same time, they provide administrative support to the Presidium.
The registrars are:
