{"id":2003,"date":"2016-10-26T13:36:56","date_gmt":"2016-10-26T11:36:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=60648"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:22:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:22:08","slug":"dear-em-confusion-about-the-buildings-names-and-vagabonds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2016\/10\/26\/dear-em-confusion-about-the-buildings-names-and-vagabonds\/","title":{"rendered":"Dear EM: confusion about the buildings’ names and vagabonds"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"em-lezersvragen-oktober\"

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUnit 20<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

No matter how clever students are, they can\u2019t know everything. So if you have any pressing questions, by all means ask EM. Because whatever it is you wish to learn, EM will be able to help you!<\/p>\n

Mr Sanders & Mrs Polak<\/h3>
\"em-lezersvragen-oktober\"

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUnit 20<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

I\u2019m sure it\u2019s my age, but I just can\u2019t seem to remember the buildings\u2019 new names. Is there a mnemonic to help me do so?<\/em>
\nA confused lecturer<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

According to Bjorn de Koning, an educational psychologist with the Faculty of Social Sciences, there are two psychological tricks you can use: a mnemonic (e.g. an acronym in the vein of \u2018PEMDAS\u2019) and a \u2018method of loci\u2019. \u201cFor instance, it is easier to remember the words \u201cduvet\u201d, \u201cchocolate sprinkles\u201d, \u201cshower gel\u201d and \u201cjumper\u201d when you visualise a trip through your home. From your bedroom, walk to the bathroom. Then go to your closet, then to the kitchen\u201d, explains De Koning. In much the same way, you will be able to remember the buildings on campus. \u201cMrs Polak walked straight ahead to Mr Sanders, then turned right to pick up Mr Mandeville.\u201d Acronyms may come in handy, as well. \u201cThey are particularly great if you can link them to something you already know. For instance, \u2018HTM\u2019, as in the transport company, could be used to refer to the Hoofd (main), Tinbergen and Mandeville buildings.\u201d<\/p>\n

The vanishing vagabond<\/h3>

I\u2019m increasingly often coming across vagabonds in the city. How come I never see any on campus? Isn\u2019t there enough money and compassion in these parts to fill up a vagabond\u2019s hat with small change?<\/em>
\nJulian de Busser, Rotterdam<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Clearly, you have forgotten that most EUR students vote VVD (the Dutch liberal party). But, even if EUR were a leftist bulwark, it would not allow vagabonds on its premises. Since the campus is private property, the university gets to decide what goes on here. \u201cOur procedure rules stipulate that people are not allowed to sell things, beg, hand out flyers, offer goods and make a nuisance of themselves by being drunk and hanging out in large groups\u201d, university spokesperson Sandra van Beek explains. Therefore, vagabonds will be addressed and asked to leave. If they refuse to do so, the police will be contacted, which happens 2 or 3 times a year at most. People seeking to benefit others are more likely to be granted permission to stay on campus, provided they consult with the university first. \u201cPeople must apply for permission to hold collections and charitable events here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Got a question for EM? E-mail it (anonymously) to erasmusmagazine@em.eur.nl<\/a>, putting \u2018readers\u2019 questions\u2019 in the subject line, or ask your question directly in the comments<\/p>\n\n\t

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De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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