Here you can read all about the University Council. Learn more about how it works, what the committees do and day-to-day management.
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 Registry
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.
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.
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
- Werner Teeling
- An Stevens
- Katlijn Haesebrouck
- Sophie Wucherer
- Matthieu Marienbach
- Daan van den Biggelaar
Wouter Bogers
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.
- Linda Rieswijk (chair)
- Donna Yates
- Raymond Luja
- Maarten van Wesel
- Shari Celma Crespi
- Merel Mulder
- Mika Wielaard
- Roos Goorman
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.
- Matthieu Marienbach (chair)
- Donna Yates
- Maarten van Wesel
- Janosch Prinz
- Milo Cheng
- Bram van den Berkmortel
- Wouter Bogers
MUMC+ Committee
In academic year 2024-2025, the University Council decided to add an ad hoc committee, to discuss the proposed integration with the Academic Hospital MUMC+. This committee meets monthly with the President of the University.
- Raymond Luja (chair)
- Mark Govers
- Werner Teeling
- An Stevens
- Janosch Prinz
- Bram van den Berkmortel
- Merel Mulder
Milo Cheng
- Mika Wielaard
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:
- Katlijn Haesebrouck (chair)
- Maarten van Wesel
- Merel Mulder
- Mika Wielaard
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)
- Bram van den Berkmortel (vice-chair)
- Raymond Luja (chair MUMC+ commissie)
- Matthieu Marienbach (chair Strategy committee)
- Linda Rieswijk (chair Research & Education committee)
- Netty Bekkers-Vos (chair Operations committee)
The registry
Administrative support to the University Council is provided by the Registry, 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 Registry prepares 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:
Vera Feron
Loïc van Rijn
You can contact the Registry by sending an e-mail to registryuc@maastrichtuniversity.nl.