This paper takes as its starting point the idea of universities contracting with students, and of the increased consumer protections for students that such contracts afford. It begins by considering what is at stake in creating a legally binding contract. Using examples from contract law, it then argues that it is difficult to think of a university Higher Education in such terms. While contracts in relation to matters such as campus accommodation offer benefits and protections for both parties, contracting with students over their educational experience is highly problematic because of the precise stipulation of terms that is required. The paper seeks to understand what is distinctive about a Higher Education experience through a concept from contract law known as an invitation to treat. The paper argues that the notions of invitation and negotiation that are at its heart better illustrate the possibilities that a Higher Education afford.

Abstract

Dit artikel vertrekt van de idee dat universiteiten een contractuele samenwerking aangaan met studenten en dat er bijgevolg een toegenomen consumentenbescherming bestaat voor die studenten. Het wil een aanzet geven om na te denken over wat er op het spel staat bij het aangaan van een juridisch bindend contract. Gebruikmakend van voorbeelden uit het contractenrecht, wordt beargumenteerd dat het moeilijk is om in zulke termen universitair onderwijs op begrip te brengen. Hoewel contracten met betrekking tot dingen zoals campusaccommodatie voordelen en bescherming bieden voor beide partijen, is het aangaan van contracten met studenten over hun onderwijservaring zeer problematisch omwille van de precieze bepaling van de termen die hierbij wordt vereist. Dit artikel wil tonen wat eigen is aan het ervaren van het hoger onderwijs aan de hand van een concept uit contractenrecht dat bekend staat als ‘invitation to treat'. Er wordt geargumenteerd dat de noties van uitnodiging en onderhandeling, die centraal staan in dit concept, de mogelijkheden die hoger onderwijs biedt beter op begrip brengen.

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Volume74, Issue1

January 2020

Pages 63-74

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