Appointed by the Mayor and City Council Members

Until 1961, the University of Amsterdam really was the University OF Amsterdam: staff were appointed by both the City Council Member for Education and the Mayor. A professor could nominate a staff member for promotion, but the Council decided if the promotion would become reality. This changed in 1961, when a “College of Curators” of the university took over the appointments. The Mayor remained the chairman, however.

Pieter Harting, Professor of English Language and Literature, nominated Andries Vos in 1960. In his supporting letter to the Council, Harting described Vos as “one of the most talented members of the English staff.” But Harting did not give only professional reasons. He also argued that Vos had to “support his parents and his little daughter of 12, who resides with his former wife.” The Council agreed with the recommendation and Vos became “scientific official, first class.”