Appointment of new Vice-Rector Magnificus will take a little longer

This is later than was initially communicated. When Rob Mudde announced his departure in April, his last working day was not yet known apart from that it would be ‘sometime in the autumn’. In an email to all staff he expressed his wish for ‘a warm handover’ in which he could induct his successor. But when Mudde’s departure date was set for 1 October before the summer holiday, it appeared that this was not attainable, explains a TU Delft spokesperson. He says that the Supervisory Board is planning to introduce a replacement ‘in the first quarter of 2025’.

Task package

It was previously known that in the interim, the Executive Board would officially comprise two members: Rector Magnificus and Chair Tim van der Hagen and Vice President of Operations Marien van der Meer. Mudde’s temporary replacement, Pro-Vice Rector of Joint Educational Affairs, Hans Hellendoorn, would take over some of Mudde’s tasks, but would not be an official Executive Board member.

His task package, which will be published on the intranet and the external website later this month, will include ‘the coordination of affairs around the education policy, the student community and student well-being’. He will also attend the monthly consultation meetings with the Student Council.

Delta asked Hellendoorn for a brief interview about this career step but, after consulting the Communications Department, he was unable to accept it. The TU Delft spokesperson emphasises that Hellendoorn’s temporary role is not the path to a permanent role as Vice-Rector Magnificus. ‘A wide application committee  has been put together that is involved in the recruitment and selection. This committee will recommend candidates to the Supervisory Board. There is no preferred internal or external candidate.’

The vacancy (in Dutch) also shows that there is no clear preference for a full professor. This breaks with the tradition of only searching for full professors for these types of positions.

Board model evaluation

The text also states that the board model may change. Tim van der Hagen has been both Rector Magnificus and Executive Board Chair since 2018. Mudde then became Vice-Rector and Vice Chair. There is also a third Executive Board member. Up to 2018 the positions of Chair and Rector were separate.

At the time the Supervisory Board copied this structure from the University of Leiden, that had introduced it in 2005. According to the then Chair of the TU Delft Supervisory Board, Jeroen van der Veer, a growing university would require (in Dutch) a different structure. It would also be clearer if ‘only one face communicated with the outside world’ so that people would know ‘that that person is authorised to speak’.

Confidential

Leiden University ended the dual role in 2021. The local Supervisory Board explained that this was on the grounds that it was becoming heavier ‘given the increasing complexity of the university system and the increasing importance of strategic partnerships’, wrote Mare (in Dutch), the university newspaper. At TU Delft, the unusual structure continues. It was evaluated once in 2020. Delta requested the report (‘Evaluatie bestuursmodel TU Delft’, management model evaluation, Eds.) in May of this year but it was not shared on the grounds of ‘confidentiality’.

The Supervisory Board will review the management model again this autumn. The TU Delft spokesperson cannot say when the outcomes are expected. ‘If it raises issues that need further assessment, this will take time. The objective is a thorough evaluation.’

Is it logical to look for one person to act both as Vice-Rector and Vice Chair while this duel position may disappear? According to the spokesperson, it is not. ‘The recruitment campaign is separate from the board model and the fulfilment of the role of chairman. The evaluation of the board model is being carried out in parallel with this recruitment.’