Maastricht University

Protests at Maastricht University, update Friday 17 May The protesters in the garden of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) may remain there over the Whitsun weekend on the condition that the protest remains non-violent and that the previously made agreements are kept. To date, the activists are abiding by these conditions. The protesters have been asked to take measures for their own safety. For its part, the university is providing fire safety and adequate 24-hour security. Also during the weekend, only UM students and staff who can present a UM card are allowed on the grounds. In the evening, a smaller group of observers may stay off camp. The faculty building itself is closed. Students and staff will be informed of this in more detail via FASoS communication channels. Hunger strike Five protesters have been on hunger strike since Thursday. The university administration is concerned about the effects for both the activists involved and the impact this has on people outside the encampment. At the same time, a hunger strike is a means of protest people can choose on their own responsibility and based on the autonomy over their own bodies as part of exercising their right to protest. The university assumes that those on hunger strike and the people around them are doing everything for their safety and health. The university offers (medical) assistance as well.

Protests at Maastricht University, update Friday 17 May Impression of the consultation between the Executive Board and the University Council of Maastricht University The Executive Board and the University Council of Maastricht University (UM) met today and discussed both the protests at UM and the underlying issue of international cooperations. With regard to the protests, the Executive Board informed the Council about the events of the past week. In doing so, the Executive Board shared and explained its considerations, dilemmas and decisions to the University Council. The Executive Board carefully listened to the concerns among the UM community that were put forward by the Council. The core question of how to deal with international cooperation with institutions in conflict areas, at the moment specifically in Gaza and Israel, was discussed at length during the consultation. This is not the first time this discussion took place. In recent months, the role of universities in addressing human rights situations in other countries and the involvement of universities in those countries in such violations have been discussed several times. Regarding the content of this question, the Board presented an approach, which was developed in close consultation with the deans. In essence, this thought is based on the principle that cooperation and the exchange of knowledge between individual UM academics and their international colleagues should never be compromised. At the same time, the Board and deans want to assess whether our international partners may in any way play a role in or contribute to violations of fundamental norms of international law. What further consequences could be of such an assessment was the subject of reflection and discussion during today's consultation. Today’s consultation with the University Council is an important step in decision-making and discussing with the participatory body how to move forward. The Board and deans will use the reflections and various perspectives collected today, to work as soon as possible towards a final proposal for an assessment framework for international strategic cooperation in conflict areas, with a first application to the situation in the Middle East. This proposal will then be presented to the Council again as soon as possible. Impression from the University Council The University Council has experienced the discussion as respectful and constructive. The Council emphasised that the concerns among the UM community are varied, multifaceted and sometimes contradictory. These concerns come from the Maastricht Encampment, as well as from students and staff from the rest of the university with very different perspectives or viewpoints, including from the Jewish community at UM. Regarding the way of dealing with international collaborations, suggestions and considerations were given from various perspectives, and the University Council awaits the final proposal from the Executive Board.

Protests at Maastricht University, update Friday 17 May Confidential University Council Meeting A public meeting of the Executive Board and the University Council was one of the agreements made last Monday between the Chair of the Executive Board, in the presence of the Chair of the University Council, and the protesters in the 'Rafah-Garden' at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS). The situation has since fundamentally changed: the pressure from various groups within society to either take or not take steps is significant. This brings not only fundamental societal discussions but also concerns regarding safety. To allow the University Council and the Executive Board to engage in a careful and secure discussion, it has been decided to hold the specially convened meeting in a confidential setting. The purpose of the University Council meeting is to arrive at a preliminary reflection regarding UM's institutional collaborations with institutions in conflict areas.

Serie verhalen internationalisering: Verborgen parels: grafkelder Bonnefantenklooster De Universiteit Maastricht is de meest internationale universiteit van Nederland. Een gegeven waar we trots op zijn, dat ons veel brengt en veel biedt. Iets wat bovendien oneindig veel mooie en inspirerende voorbeelden oplevert. De Universiteit Maastricht draagt zorg voor veel bijzondere gebouwen in de stad. Dit gebouw ken je vast wel en je bent er vast wel eens geweest: het Bonnefantenklooster aan de Bonnefantenstraat 2. Gaat er geen belletje rinkelen? Vandaag de dag staat het beter bekend als het Studentenservicecentrum. Wist je dat het gebouw een rijk verleden heeft? Lees hier de hele geschiedenis en het belang van het gebouw voor de UM en Maastricht: https://lnkd.in/ei_EZefk #VanDeEuregioVoorDeEuregio

Protests at Maastricht University, update Thursday 16 May It has come to the attention of Maastricht University’s Executive Board and Management Team via an anonymous email that six of the protesters who have been allowed to stay in the garden of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) have embarked on a hunger strike as of today until their demands are met. We take the situation and in particular the safety of everyone in our community very seriously and will continue to seek dialogue and a way forward with the protesters. We will update you as soon as we have more information.

Protests at Maastricht University, update Wednesday 15 May Maastricht University has decided that some of the protesters at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) may remain present at night for the time being in the role of ‘observers’. The condition is that the protests remain non-violent and the agreements made by UM and the activists are kept. Today, a delegation from the University Council entered into talks with the activists. That consultation went ‘respectfully and substantively’, the president of the University Council said. Read a personal message written by Rianne Letschert - also on behalf of the Executive Board and deans - here: https://lnkd.in/ef5M_8Dw

PURE3D: cultural heritage, scholarship and computing How can 3D models be preserved? This is the idea behind PURE3D, a project in which Costas Papadopoulos and Susan Schreibman are developing an infrastructure for the preservation and publication of 3D scholarship. In the future, the platform may also provide a new way of accessing cultural heritage. From the Battle of Mount Street Bridge, to Limburg’s mines and the Smithsonian. Everything you need to know, here in 2D. Read more about this innovative project here: https://lnkd.in/erBP4_XY #CulturalHeritage #DigitalPreservation #3DScholarship #UMagazine #MaastrichtUniversity

Protests at Maastricht University - update Tuesday 14 May Maastricht University's Executive Board and management team have agreed to allow a group of 'observers' to stay in the FASoS garden tonight. This will take place under the same conditions as last night. This decision comes after another day of peaceful protest and dialogue among members of the UM community. Tomorrow, the University Council will visit the activists for an information session. Next Friday, the University Council will hold a special meeting to generate advice on how to handle relations with academic institutions in Israel. Yesterday, we reported that the Executive Board attaches great importance to giving students and staff with different perspectives on the Middle East conflict the space to engage with the Board as well. Tomorrow we want to determine how this 'broad dialogue' can be shaped. We are especially mindful of the fact that students and staff may have (great) difficulty with the current situation and may want to seek help. Students wishing to speak to a UM psychologist can register at: secretarystudentdesk@maastrichtuniversity.nl. There, staff will arrange for a psychologist to contact you directly. If you experience inappropriate behaviour on our campus, it is best to contact the Social Safety Team for students: https://lnkd.in/evbGWQhU Staff can turn to the Concerns & Complaints Point: https://lnkd.in/eYS5CKWy (UMployee) In case of acute problems, we advise staff to contact their GP.

21 May: Speech and Q&A with Wopke Hoekstra Wopke Hoekstra, the European Commissioner for Climate Action, will visit Maastricht University on Tuesday 21 May. Hoekstra plans to discuss the “Grand Challenges” facing the European Union, with a focus on climate action, democratic renewal, and geopolitics. His speech aims to outline pressing issues and propose solutions for the future of the European Union. Following his talk, Commissioner Hoekstra will answer questions from students from different faculties, encouraging their participation in the upcoming European Parliament elections. More info and registration here: https://lnkd.in/dfrsEuNw #Europe #EuropeanUnion #ClimateAction #EUElections24 Studio Europa Maastricht CERiM - Centre for European Research in Maastricht Maastricht University Faculty of Law Maastricht University Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Sustainable UM 2030

Protests at Maastricht University - update 2 The Executive Board of Maastricht University, the faculty board of the Faculty of Arts and Socials Sciences (FASoS), and the campaigning students and staff have agreed that a small group of 'observers' can remain on the grounds of FASoS tonight. The rest of the protesters have left the premises. The agreement applies specifically to tonight. After that, the situation will be reviewed on a day-by-day basis. This agreement was reached after a day of peaceful protests and dialogue between activists and administration. The observers can guard overnight the belongings and materials with which they intend to shape a 'week of dialogue' in the coming days. That dialogue is open only to students and staff from our community, either individuals or certain bodies such as the University Council. All involved are keen to create an environment where dialogue can take place within our community with our students and staff. It has therefore been agreed that visitors must be able to identify themselves with a UM pass when entering. It was also agreed that inconvenience to local residents should be avoided. The Executive Board attaches great importance to students and staff with a different perspective on the conflict in the Middle East being given the space to enter into dialogue with the Board as well. This is in line with the 'broad dialogue' that the Executive Board has also followed so far with all stakeholders. How this new, additional opportunity for conversation will be shaped, will be announced in a subsequent update as soon as possible.