Roel Kwast: ‘The assessor’s the go-to person for students’
As assessor, Roel Kwast represents the student voice on the Faculty Board. He supports students at our faculty in many different ways. In this interview, he explains how he fulfils this role.
Can you briefly explain the role of the assessor at our faculty?
'The assessor is the student member on the Faculty Board who represents the interests of students at the faculty in all kinds of matters. So, you’re the link between the Faculty Board and our student community. You’re also very much involved with participation in decision-making, our 21 study associations, and the student organisations at university level. The assessor is also the go-to person for students with suggestions or complaints about our programmes or student facilities, for example.
What can the assessor do for students?
'I can help students by actively bringing their perspective to the table at the various meetings I attend. It could be on topics such as educational policy or the facilities for students at faculty buildings. To do this, I speak to as many different students as possible so I know what their wishes and needs are. I can make sure that the decisions taken at the faculty are more in line with the actual needs of students.'
What do you enjoy most in this role?
'What I love most is that the work is so diverse. One day, I’m dealing with something to do with policy, and the next it’s about what’s going on in the classroom, or I’ll be thinking about the content and organisation of our programmes, and then I’m helping organise fantastic events for our faculty’s anniversary year. And that diversity is reflected in the people I work with at the faculty, ranging from students, to professors, and other colleagues who have lots of experience.'
How can students get in touch if they want to discuss something?
'Students can send an email to the assessor’s mailbox: assessor@law.leidenuniv.nl. I’m always happy to help.'