‘Don’t demolish the G building!’ Students will miss study spaces

With the closure of buildings G and V later this year, students will lose over two hundred study spaces on Woudestein campus. EM asked students what they think about this.

For many students, the disappearance of G and V is a major loss. In particular, they mention the opportunity to study in groups. “We often meet in the V building with groups of students, because you can use the available rooms there to study or work on group assignments. We also spend our breaks there. Many students do this because other buildings are always full”, says student Anthony. He calls it ‘bizarre’ that the V building will and argues for keeping it open for group projects. “At the TU Delft you can simply book such rooms.”

Privacy in the G building

One student says that the G building is an ideal place because it is possible to reserve rooms, not only for study-related matters. “It’s fantastic to be able to hold meetings or discuss private matters.” Another student shares their fondest memory of the building: “I once sang You are my sunshine at the top of my lungs there, with people in the other rooms as my audience.”

Still, not all students are equally enthusiastic about the buildings themselves. “The V building is very uninviting, with no coffee machine or comfortable chairs. I won’t miss this building”, says one student.

The perfect study space

On Instagram, students shared their views on the ideal study space. Silence is especially important, they say. Plenty of sockets, good lighting and fresh air. Greenery and a pleasant atmosphere are also mentioned as important factors.

Students argue for more space, better ventilation and extra facilities such as a microwave. “There are 28,000 students and only five microwaves on campus”, one student notes.

Improvements

With fewer study spaces available, students will have to relocate to other buildings: the Langeveld building and the library are mentioned as alternatives. But what else could the university do to provide better study spaces? One student asks for more small private rooms or study booths. Another suggests converting the former exam hall in the Van der Goot building into additional study space. Another key point: “Make all study spaces silent, because we come here to study, not to yap.”

“Don’t demolish the G building!”, one student pleads. Another adds: “G building gone but not forgotten.”