EUR students have long been moaning about the lack of study spaces on campus. Even after the library re-opened its doors in the Spring of 2017, study spaces have been at a premium. The University says that this is partly due to secondary school students and Hogeschool Rotterdam students using the library as their place of study – adding to the list of things that Hogeschool students are blamed for on campus.
“In the past we’ve noticed that there’s never enough study places for students and many of them are being occupied by Hogeschool students or students from other universities”, says Kathalijne Smout of the University Library. “With the busy exam period coming up, we want to avoid that. We plan to continue this for the coming three weeks, but if it gets less busy, we may stop it earlier.”
Super Study Weeks
All over campus, the University has been advertising the start of the Super Study Weeks in which students will need their student IDs to enter the Library, Polak, Sanders, Tinbergen, and the beloved G-building starting 11 June. But apart from the Library, not a single staff member was to be seen checking students entering the other buildings. And after 9.30, anyone could even enter the Library, which begs the question: what’s actually going on with these Super Study Weeks?
“The morning is when most people come in so that’s why we put people by the door to check IDs”, Smout tells EM around noon. “Now these people are visiting other study spots around campus and asking students for their IDs, so you might not get checked at the door but you might be checked while you’re studying.”
“We thought about putting people at the doors of each study spot but that obviously has a price tag. For now it’s a trial. We’re checking what works and what doesn’t work.”
What do students think?
While non-EUR students won’t be pleased with the new system, it seems that EUR students appreciate the initiative.
“I used to study at other universities and they had the same system,” said Alessandro Zappala, who studies IBEB. “I think it’s fair. I don’t really mind if people from other schools want to study here but during the exam weeks it can be impossible to find a place to study at Polak or the Library so it’s good they have this now.”
Frank Kuiper, a business student wandering around the still jam-packed Library in search of a spot, echoed Zappala’s words.
“It may sound kind of harsh, but this is a university library so it should be for university students,” Kuiper explained. “I know other schools have this system so why shouldn’t we?”
But you can’t find a spot right now?
“No it’s full. But I guess that’s my fault. It’s already 11 so I’m late. It’s usually busy by this time.”
From my perspective, the main issue is that the Share Your Chair system isn’t working. People grab a spot, then leave for hours either without leaving a note with their return time or with their stuff lying around, making it impossible to use that space while they’re gone. I’m currently sitting next to 4 seats, which have been abandoned for the last two hours and with both conditions applying.
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