The preparatory working group for the Finance Committee has presented its proposal for the Finance Committee this afternoon with the purpose of consulting the academic community. The proposal consists of a mandate and a composition, including names of candidates, and is the result of weeks of deliberation and constructive discussion among representatives of all parties involved in the establishment of the two committees. The ReThink UvA Committees Team has put a lot of effort and time in this process and is very pleased to present the results together with its partners in the preparatory working group.

All staff members and students of the University of Amsterdam are invited to contact the preparatory working group ([email protected]) in case of comments or questions regarding the proposed mandate and/or composition.

The announcement of the preparatory working group sent this afternoon:

Consultation on mandate and composition of the Finance Committee

We are pleased to announce that the preparatory working group for the Finance Committee has reached consensus on a proposal for the mandate and the composition for the Finance Committee. We have come to this point after weeks of deliberation and constructive discussion between representatives of all parties involved in the establishment of the two committees. We are content with the results of this process and herewith wish to present these to the academic community with the purpose of consultation.

Mandate

The proposed mandate provides a formulation of the assignment, a prioritized list of topics, and further instructions on, among others, reporting to the academic community and exploration of alternative financial scenarios. The proposed mandate is attached to this message and is available in both Dutch and English.

Composition and expertise

The proposed composition was formed on the basis of careful consideration of suggestions from the academic community, external financial experts, and members of the preparatory working group, and after preliminary contacts with potential candidates with the purpose of inquiring about their interest, motivation, and availability. The preparatory working group has identified four areas of financial expertise necessary within the Finance Committee: (i) financial legal matters, (ii) real estate matters, (iii) accountancy, and (iv) internal allocation. In addition, the working group recognizes the need for the positions of chair, vice-chair, and secretary. The chair is required to comply with the following set of criteria: a track record of research committee chairing experience, reliability, good communicative skills, and the ability to act as binding force within the committee.

The preparatory working group proposes the following composition:

  1. Chair:
    Femke Halsema
    Former politician; former co-chair of the research committee for Amarantis.
  2. Vice-chair:
    Victor Eiff
    Director College van Toezicht Auteurs- en Naburige Rechten; former director of the audit office of the City of Amsterdam.
  3. Secretary:
    Reier Hendrikse
    PhD-student and expert on financial geography
  4. Researcher on legal financial matters:
    Hester Bais
    Lawyer, founder of Bais Legal and expert on legal financial issues
  5. Researcher on real estate matters:
    Dick Schuiling
    Associate professor and expert on urban planning  and real estate
  6. Researcher on accountancy:
    Hendrik van Moorsel
    Expert on accountancy and a long experience in the public sector
  7. Researcher on internal allocation:
    Paul Wouters
    Professor of Scientometrics; director of Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS)

Consultation

Both the mandate and the composition presented here currently have the status of a proposal. This proposal will go into effect after consultation with the academic community, as agreed by COR, CSR, De Nieuwe Universiteit, Humanities Rally, ReThink UvA and the unions in the joint declaration on the committees. We invite all staff members and students of the University of Amsterdam to contact the preparatory working group for the Finance Committee in case of comments to the proposed mandate or composition on the following address: [email protected].

Democratization and decentralization committee

The preparatory working group for the Democratization and Decentralization Committee is currently preparing the mandate and composition of this committee and will soon solicit their ratification among the academic community. In case staff or students want to contribute in this preparatory phase, please send a message to  [email protected].

Kind regards,

preparatory working group Finance Committee



Edgar du Perron, vice-rector and facilitator of the process of democratization issued the following statement in support of the proposal:

“As vice rector and facilitator of the process of democratization at our university, I welcome the proposal of the preparatory working group for the Finance Committee. I appreciate the hard work and dedication of all members of the working group, and of its chair Amade M’charek, and welcome their commitment to an open process of consultation. I am impressed by the quality of the proposed Committee members and hope that the committee can start its work in due time.”