The rector and the new dean on 45 Years of the Faculty of Law and the future

Looking back and a new beginning

Jan, you led the faculty as dean for many years. How do you reflect on that period?
It was a time of considerable change. The number of students and staff grew significantly, almost all degree programmes were revised, and the faculty’s research was recalibrated, including through the establishment of many new research institutes. That demanded a great deal from everyone, particularly during a period marked by COVID and concerns about funding cuts due to restrictions on international students.

What gives me the greatest satisfaction, however, is that we tackled all these plans and challenges together: despite the growth, the faculty has remained a single, cohesive community. I am always pleased when I walk through the faculty and see how naturally people interact with one another. “Aptitude without attitude” is not just a slogan. This is a special place to study and work, and we can take more pride in that.

Ronald, you have been dean since March. What struck you most in your first weeks?
I immediately experienced that sense of community as well. In recent weeks, I have had the opportunity to meet a large number of colleagues from across the faculty. The atmosphere is relaxed, and everyone is extremely friendly and helpful. What is particularly striking, and was clearly visible at Jan’s farewell event, is how easily academic and support staff interact and feel part of one whole. I have seen this differently elsewhere. In Onconventionele juristen and Het Maastrichts experiment, you read that the faculty felt like a family in its early years. That feeling is clearly still there, even though the family now has more than 400 members and has become highly international.

Another notable aspect is that the building is alive. Students are everywhere: studying, debating, sunbathing, sometimes even sleeping. I believe this is the nicest place in the Netherlands to study law, and of course also the best. My daughter was immediately convinced when I showed her the building, the gardens and the distinctive programmes; she is considering doing her Master’s here.
What also stands out is the faculty’s boundless energy. There is so much going on that it is almost impossible to attend everything. The research culture is impressive in both scale and depth. It is remarkable how strongly research has developed since the early years.

45 years of the Faculty of Law

Jan, which development has had the greatest impact in your view?
I think two decisions have been decisive. The first dates back to the founding in 1981: the choice of what was then a unique educational model, whose suitability for a law faculty was uncertain. Problem-Based Learning (PBL), albeit with many adaptations, still underpins our approach to education.
The second major decision came fifteen years later, when the faculty committed to strengthening its international profile, including through the European Law School Bachelor’s programme and the Ius Commune research school. At the time, this was controversial and hard-fought, but in retrospect it proved to be the faculty’s saving grace.

The decline in Dutch student numbers could not have been foreseen, but without our current international offering the faculty would be considerably smaller.
That said, I consider it extremely important that we serve both markets: the Dutch and the European. That is why, in recent years, we have invested substantially in education and research in Dutch law.

Ronald, what does that mean for the coming years?
In my view, that foundation is solid. The faculty is in a strong position. I have not spoken to anyone advocating a sharp change of course, and I cannot imagine such a shift either. The focus is on further development: evolution, not revolution. That is not necessarily straightforward. The debate on internationalisation is far from over, and the ministry continues to stress that we must take our self-governance seriously. At the same time, political and societal support for academia is under pressure. Yet the many requests for advice, professional training and applied research show that our researchers are also highly sought after beyond the university.

Within the faculty, I also see considerable energy and many ideas to further strengthen education and research. I am someone who likes to take action and I am eager to explore these ideas, but until the summer I will primarily focus on getting to know people, and will keep my hands off things for the most part, at least for now.

Looking ahead

Ronald, where will the faculty be at its 50th anniversary?
As the saying goes: prediction is difficult, especially about the future.
What I do expect is that the core will remain intact: this is and will remain the only faculty with a dual profile of Dutch-language education and research alongside European, international and comparative legal education and research. That is who we are and what we are known for.

That does not mean we will stand still. I sense a strong desire and new ideas to increase enrolment in Dutch-language Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes and to expand the offering in certain areas.
I have also heard interesting ideas on how to make the scale and strength of our European, international and comparative work more visible to policymakers in both Europe and the Netherlands.
In addition, I believe that our successful LAW.next initiative, particularly in light of the anticipated boost for lifelong learning under the new government, could be more closely connected to the departments.

At this stage, I cannot yet say exactly where this will lead, that depends on strong support within the faculty, but it is clear that new initiatives will emerge in the coming years of which we can be proud at the 50th anniversary.

On a few points, I hope for absolute continuity: the culture of this faculty community, the way we interact with one another, and the high quality of our work.

Advice and transition

Jan, what advice would you give Ronald as the new dean?
Be yourself. And, together with the faculty community, make your own choices.

What makes Maastricht special?

Jan
The faculty has two beautiful buildings (and two gardens!) in a vibrant and attractive city. But without the students and colleagues who use those buildings, it would be lifeless

In a mysterious way, we always manage to attract the people who fit the faculty, or rather, they choose us. Combine that with the high quality of education and research, and you have a truly special environment.

Ronald
I recognise that. I have experienced several Dutch faculties from the inside. In my first month here, a few things stand out.

First, for many people the faculty is more than just work; it feels like a community, with strong engagement. Secondly, the highly international character of staff, students and teaching is striking. I have not seen this to the same extent elsewhere.

I am also impressed by the faculty’s leading position in Recognition & Rewards, although there are, of course, concerns as well. Furthermore, I see different, well-developed visions of education, sometimes in tension with one another, but that tension is inherent and has been present since the early years. This was confirmed recently when I spoke with some of the faculty’s pioneers - Job Cohen, Karl Dittrich, Marlie Sprengers, Jeppe Balkema and Victor Rutgers, who call themselves the “klavertje vijf”. They told me that such debates already flared up in year two.

There is also a culture in which units strongly value their autonomy, and where governance must know its place

Finally, I appreciate the open and sometimes critical discussions I have witnessed; it is good to see colleagues speaking their minds.

Connected with alumni: What do you hope alumni will say about their alma mater in five or ten years’ time?

Jan
That they would choose Maastricht again.

Ronald
That they are immensely proud of their time at the Faculty of Law, and impressed by where they, and their fellow students, have ended up in society.

Ronald, what would you like to say to students?

It may sound like a cliché, but your time as a student is a unique period in your life. It is the time to deepen your knowledge, build friendships, discover your strengths and weaknesses, and decide which direction you want to take. Enjoy it, and make the most of it.

Finally: a question for Jan

Ronald
What will you miss most about being dean—and what the least?

Jan
I will miss all my colleagues at the faculty the most - and of course the excellent coffee in the Staff Common Room. The least? I honestly don’t know.


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