Venue and date
The date of the ceremony will be determined via the Beadles Office. Inaugural and valedictory speeches usually take place on Thursday or Friday, normally at 15.45 in the auditorium of VU Amsterdam. If desired, it is possible to deviate to other days of the working week. The date should be arranged with the dean of the faculty concerned.
Instructions
When the date has been set, the professor will receive an e-mail with instructions concerning the invitation and the speech in print. The e-mail also contains information about the ceremony itself, such as protocol, audiovisual support, organ playing and the reception afterwards.
If the professor wishes to combine the inaugural or valedictory speech with a symposium, a request for a space reservation can be submitted to the FCO Service Desk using this form (in Dutch). More information about the services of the Service Desk can be found on this page.
Gown
The gowns of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam can be made by
- Togamakerij G.F. Rhebergen: www.togamakerijrhebergen.nl
- De Togamaker: www.detogamaker.nl
We also have loaner gowns available. Please contact our hostess, e-mail: veronica.ostberg@vu.nl
The day of the inauguration
The inauguration takes place in a public meeting of the Board of Deans. This academic ceremony is chaired by the rector magnificus or his deputy. Half an hour before the start the professors and guests of the Board of Deans meet in the forum hall (room 2D-02) of the main building. The cortege is formed there, with the orator being accompanied by the rector magnificus.
Protocol public meeting
The rector magnificus opens the meeting with a votive speech, a general welcome and a short introduction of the orator. The orator may begin his or her speech with the words 'Mr Rector, ladies and gentlemen'. It is appropriate to include in the closing address a word of thanks to the Executive Board and the Board of the faculty concerned and, in the case of special professors, also to the Board of the appointing legal entity. At the end of the speech - speaking time not exceeding 40 minutes, including the word of thanks - the Rector shall briefly address the orator. The meeting is open to persons of eight years of age and older.
Clothing
The professors wear the gown and beret, underneath:
- Men: dark suit, white shirt, VU- or dark tie, dark socks, black shoes
- Ladies: dark casual clothing
Non-professors, for example members of the Executive Board and the Board of the VU-VUmc Foundation and possibly special guests, wear a dark suit or dark formal wear.
The orator wears the beret when delivering the speech.
Musical accompaniment
The meeting will be accompanied by music played on the Couperin organ. The university organist will play from a quarter of an hour before the start, when the cortège enters and after the academic session; this is free of charge. You can contact the organist, also if you have wishes regarding the repertoire: Henk Verhoef | henkverhoef@xs4all.nl | +31 20 6230020 / +31 6 38539533.
Audiovisual facilities
You can make free use of the audiovisual equipment that is provided in the auditorium.
For more information and additional requirements: AVC information desk, telephone: +31 20 5989161 or e-mail: algemeen.avc@vu.nl
Photography
The professor is responsible for documenting the ceremony by means of photography and/or video.
Reception
After the event, there will be an opportunity to congratulate the Professor during a reception, the costs of which will be borne by the Professor. The reception is provided by the EUREST catering company. To order catering, please contact the Service Desk FCO no later than four weeks prior to your ceremony: servicedesk.fco@vu.nl.