TU Delft sometimes shares the names of students and staff who wish to participate in an announced protest with the police. This has emerged from a WOO request (Requesting information from the government) by journalist Samuel Arrascaeta, writes university newspaper Delta.
This was the case during a planned demonstration by the End Fossiel action group during the Delft Career Days 2024, where fossil fuel companies would be present to recruit students. An email exchange in the WOO request shows that there was consultation between the action group and TU Delft about the smooth running of the demonstration. Nevertheless, five days before the demonstration began, TU Delft's Integral Safety department shared the names of five End Fossil members with the police.
Upon inquiry by Delta, it appears that there is a covenant between the police and TU Delft, which led to this action. TU Delft does not want to say how often it shares the names of demonstrating employees and students.
Human rights organisation Amnesty calls the incident quite worrying. “A university, in particular, should stand firm in protecting a safe space where peaceful demonstrations can take place in complete privacy.”
According to the UvA spokesperson, there is no such agreement between the police and the university, and no names have been shared, either now or in the past. (SvdB)
Research conducted by the University of Amsterdam (UvA) shows that when politicians in the House of Representatives use discriminatory language, this also becomes more normal online and in newspapers.
The researchers looked at YouTube comments on news media channels, newspaper articles, and speeches and interruptions by members of the House of Representatives in the period 2014-2024. The research shows that politicians have the greatest influence on language use, both online and in newspapers. If they speak more frequently, more negatively or in a discriminatory manner about population groups, this is then also reflected on social media. The effects are greatest in the case of discrimination against Jews and Muslims.
The reverse also happens, but with less influence. The language used in YouTube comments does influence what politicians say, but has little influence on what newspapers write. According to the researchers, these developments are not only problematic for the minorities concerned, ‘but also for democracy itself, as it increases polarisation and weakens the stance of minorities’. (YH)
The rental prices for privately rented student rooms in Amsterdam have not increased further over the past year. This is according to data from Kamernet, one of the largest private student housing platforms in the Netherlands. Prices also remained stable in Haarlem. According to Kamernet, the price stagnation in the capital may indicate that a ceiling has been reached after years of substantial increases.
Nationally, the average rent for a room from private providers rose by 1.7 percent, which amounts to around €11 per month. Rooms have become particularly more expensive in Leeuwarden (+19.1 percent), Leiden (+17 percent), and Maastricht (+14.1 percent). Notably, in several cities, the price per square meter has decreased, which may suggest that students are getting slightly more space for their money. (DH)
Five alumni and one former professor will take seats in the future government led by Rob Jetten. Claudia van Bruggen (D66) studied Law at the UvA and is now the designated State Secretary for Justice and Security. At the same ministry, VVD member David van Weel will take office as Minister of Justice and Security. He studied History at the UvA. Eelco Heinen (VVD) will remain in his post. The former Economics student at the UvA is beginning his second term as Minister of Finance.
Mirjam Sterk of the CDA will take up the role of Minister for Long-Term Care, Youth and Sport. In the late 1990s, she studied Theology at the UvA. Sophie Hermans (VVD) is making a move: the former Political Science student at the UvA is currently Minister for Climate and Green Growth, but in the Jetten cabinet she will become Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport.
Finally, there is Hans Vijlbrief of D66. He was appointed Professor by Special Appointment of European Economic and Financial Policy at the UvA in 2018, but stepped down in 2020 when he was appointed State Secretary for Finance. In the Jetten cabinet, Vijlbrief will become Minister of Social Affairs and Employment. (TH)
Former UvA student Isabelle van Elst will compete today at the Winter Olympics. Tonight, she will skate the 1000 meters, against competitors including Suzanne Schulting, Femke Kok, and Jutta Leerdam. Van Elst, who represents Belgium, studied art history at the University of Amsterdam until 2023. At the time, Folia spoke with her about her studies and skating career.
The 1000-meter race starts tonight at 17:30. Van Elst holds the Belgian record for this distance with a time of 1:14.72, and her best time this season was 1:14.83, set in Salt Lake City, USA. She will compete in the seventh heat, alongside Kazakhstan’s Elizaveta Golubeva. (DH)
After the introduction of the student loan system, students at colleges and universities were more likely to continue living at home throughout their student years. This reports the NOS, based on research by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI).
The loan system was introduced in 2015, requiring students to borrow money to finance their studies. Due to criticism of the high debts that students were accumulating, the basic grant was reintroduced in 2023.
Of the students who graduated in 2023, 43 percent had lived at home for the previous five years. In 2016, that figure was 31 percent. Students who did move into student accommodation did so later, after the introduction of the loan system.
According to Maaike Krom, chair of the National Student Union, the high number of students living at home is not only due to the shortage of housing, but also to the high prices of student rooms. It has previously been found that students are increasingly giving up hope of finding a room. (SvdB)
The National Chamber of Associations (LKvV) is dissatisfied with the promise in the coalition agreement to cap interest rates on student loans at 2.5 percent. According to the LKvV, a zero percent interest rate had been promised.
“A maximum sounds like protection. But an interest rate of 2.5 percent on a debt of tens of thousands of euros is still a huge amount,” chairman Jochem Hilckmann told the Hoger Onderwijs Persbureau. “That means that, over a period of 35 years, students will ultimately pay almost half of their loan in interest.”
The LKvV fears that students will no longer want to do committee work or a board year because of the fear of mounting student debt. This trend is already underway. At the University of Amsterdam, too, interest in study associations is declining. (SvdB)
Universities, colleges and vocational colleges in Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe and Flevoland are (partially) closed due to slippery conditions. The University of Groningen has closed its buildings, and lecturers are deciding whether lectures will be cancelled or given online.
All locations of Stenden University of Applied Sciences (Friesland) will remain closed until at least 12 noon. Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen will give online lectures until 1.30 p.m., after which the buildings will open and lectures will continue as planned. Practical lessons and examinations have been cancelled.
A code red weather warning is in effect this morning in the northern provinces due to black ice and slippery conditions. The weather warning will remain in effect until around 14:00 afternoon. Train and bus transport in the north is also suspended for the time being. (YH)
The UvA temporarily opens two new silent rooms from March 17 to 20, because of Ramadan. The start of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, is expected to result in more crowds in the silent rooms at the UvA. The empty spaces, which give students and staff the opportunity to pray, meditate or find quietude, are frequently used. Ramadan is not only a time where no food is eaten between sunrise and sunset, but for the Muslim community a time to reflect and pray.
Despite being a holy month for Muslims, the UvA emphasizes in their communication that the silent rooms are available for to everyone, regardless of ‘gender or other characteristics’. You do need to bring your own prayer mat.
The additional rooms are located at the Roeterseiland Campus, building BCD, room B3.11, and Science Park, room D1.160. A complete overview of all silent rooms can be found here. (LB)