Student societies see slight decline in new members after shortest Eurekaweek ever

Several student societies are welcoming fewer members this year than last year. Board members believe the shorter Eurekaweek played a part in this. Without Thursday in the programme, there was less time to recruit new members, and less time for first-years to explore the societies that Rotterdam has to offer. “That fourth day is really crucial for us.”

Rotterdam had the shortest introduction week in the Netherlands this year. The programme, usually lasting four days, was cut to three. At Rotterdamsch Studenten Gezelschap (RSG), which has four hundred members, this led to fewer new sign-ups than the year before. “Usually, Thursday is the day when most new members register”, said board member (vice-praeses senaat) Catelijn Caron. But this year, most Eurekaweek participants went home after Wednesday. “That fourth day is really crucial for us.”

Thursday

On Thursday, previously the final day of the official Eurekaweek programme, Rotterdams student societies also planned various activities and parties. Even so, Thursday drew few new students to RSG. “Many first-years who stayed overnight at the university only had accommodation until Wednesday, and they couldn’t go to the activities and parties at the societies on Thursday.” She did not want to say how many new members the association has.

Rowing association Skadi also reported a slight decline in registrations. The club organised a five-day programme, from Sunday through Thursday. During the three official days, it was quiet at the association at times, said president Noa Op het Veld. Whether the drop in sign-ups can be entirely attributed to the shorter introduction week, she cannot say.

Navigator Students Rotterdam (NSR) has welcomed 65 new members this year, a small decrease compared with last year. “It could be that many new students went home a day earlier, since Eurekaweek also ended a day earlier”, board member Reinier van Woerden, wrote in an email. But whether the decline is really due to the shorter Eurekaweek, he couldn’t say. “We cannot make any firm statements about that.” NSR now has 260 active members.

RSC/RVSV and Laurentius see growth in membership

Not all associations saw a decline. RSC/RVSV has four hundred new members, around seventy more than last year. President Filip Stijnis is pleased with the increase: “It’s good that we are back at the old level. Last year we had a big dip. We think that was due to the threat of the slow-progress penalty.”

The shorter Eurekaweek has had little effect on the Rotterdam corps, Stijnis believes. “Many of our new members only take part in Eurekaweek with us and do not participate in the official programme at all.” RSC/RVSV now has around 1,800 active members.

Laurentius also reported an increase of fifteen members compared with last year. A total of 230 new members are starting their student days at Laurentius, bringing the number of active members to 1,400. “Fortunately. In recent years we saw sign-ups decline slightly”, said praeses Stan Verspoor. He too thinks the drop may have been linked to the slow-progress penalty. “So we are happy to see an increase again.” The three-day Eurekaweek had no impact on the association. “Thursday is for members only anyway.”

Three-day EW next year as well?

RSG is preparing for another three-day Eurekaweek next year. “It will be unavoidable with all the cutbacks. So we will have to adapt”, said Catelijn Caron. “But in any case, we’re super happy with our new cohort”, she concluded.