Sexual safety, the budget, and the final MUMC+ proposal
Dear members of the UM Community,
As the year approaches its end, the University Council can look back on a busy period. Our new members are becoming more and more familiar with the work of the Council and are making excellent contributions. Over the past few months, we have focussed on a range of different issues.
For example, we discussed the progress of the Sexual Safety program, and it is clear that, while there is still much work to be done, Maastricht is leading the way in this area. We also got updates on the efforts to make UM more sustainable, the progress of the Maastricht Academy for Lifelong Learning (which bundles all of UM’s courses for professionals), and the new developments concerning the smarter academic year.
We have also been considering the budget for next year. After the Faculty and Service Councils discussed the budgets of the individual units, the aggregated version is now on the table. Despite a harsh political climate, UM’s budget is still in balance. In part, this is because we have continued to attract students, but it is also due to the compensation UM receives for the financial disadvantage of being a young university. This, coupled with substantial reserves, gives us a strong position for continuing to develop our research and education. An important aspect of the budget is the investment UM is making in buildings in Randwyck, both in renovating existing buildings and in new buildings. The University Council is pressing for a coherent vision for this development, to make sure we have the buildings we need for the university we want to be.
Early next year, we expect to receive the final proposal for the board integration with the academic hospital. We have set up a roadmap for examining the proposal in detail, together with the FHML Faculty Council and in conversation with the other faculty and service councils. We realise this is one of the most important decisions ever taken in the history of this university, and we are determined to do a thorough job. A final decision on whether or not to do this should be made early next year.
Running a university is a lot of work. There are countless people working at the faculties, the service centers, and the central level, designing and implementing all kinds of policies. As University Council, it is our job to be critical of their work, and we are. But we should never forget that they are working hard to make this university better for everyone. So, on behalf of the Council and all members of the UM community, I would like to thank them for their work and wish them very happy holidays. And everyone else as well.
Teun Dekker
Chair University Council
T.J. Dekker
Teun J Dekker (1980) is Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences Education at University College Maastricht, where he teaches courses on the intersection of the Social Sciences and the Humanities, including History of Political Thought and Distributive Justice in Contemporary Political Philosophy.
As Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences Education, his main duties are:
-
New Council year, quality agreements, DEI, alumni, internationalisation & human rights
Dear members of the UM Community,
The new academic year is in full swing, and so are UM’s representative councils. The newly elected University and Faculty Councils, as well as the Service Councils, are busy considering policy proposals and having discussions with the Executive Board, Deans, and...
-
End-of-year policy updates, student support fund, hospital integration and a new Council
Dear members of the UM Community,
With the end of the academic year in sight, the University Council is busy wrapping up all the formalities that need to be taken care of before summer, but is also already preparing for the new academic year.
-
Due Diligence Frameworks, national developments, quality agreements and student data
Dear members of the UM Community,
With spring on the way, the University Council has been busy with a range of policies and issues that will shape the future of our university. At our most recent plenary, the Council formulated its advice on the Human Rights Due Diligence Framework and the Transition...
