{"id":89194,"date":"2018-08-27T11:35:41","date_gmt":"2018-08-27T09:35:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=89194"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:23:04","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:23:04","slug":"see-with-my-own-eyes-if-the-stories-in-the-media-are-true","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2018\/08\/27\/see-with-my-own-eyes-if-the-stories-in-the-media-are-true\/","title":{"rendered":"‘See with my own eyes if the stories in the media are true’"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the first time in its history, the mixed student association was forced to organise an introduction week separately from the university-wide\u00a0 Eureka Week. And it did so successfully by reaching maximum capacity in housing (six hundred) as well as new membership applications (four hundred) in\u00a0no time<\/em>. In that regard, the association seems no longer to need the university, which completely suspended its ties with RSC\/RVSV because of incidents during last year’s hazing rituals.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJack Parker<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

\u201cI am very pleased\u201d, says a beaming Amber Schothorst (21), incoming chair. Because of the traditional party of the night before \u2013 at which the media were not welcome \u2013 her eyes are puffy while she is roaming the association house. It smells like beer and detergent.<\/p>\n

Library<\/h2>

In a business-like and somewhat nervous manner, the recently graduated former economy student shows EM the way through the depths \u00a0of the nearly empty association house. \u201cThis is the association\u2019s old library,\u201d the chair to be states while she knocks on the door for admission. A handful of first years are sitting behind a laptop, working on their application.<\/p>\n

One of them is Wobbe van de Pas, who is 18 years old and currently starting the EUR\u2019s Economics study programme\u00a0. His sister was already a member of the association and she recommended that he take a look. \u201cI like the vibe around here: I have been at the association house every day this week and became a member instantly,\u201d he says somewhat laconically.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Socialising<\/h2>

Van de Pas did not hear much about the incidents that came to light earlier this year, which included a student suffering a head wound and having to be taken to hospital. \u201cYou hear the occasional story, but I haven\u2019t had any strange experiences,\u201d he assures EM. Schothorst listens at an appropriate distance and nods affirmatively.<\/p>\n

The entire week, Van de Pas was flitting between the association\u2019s introduction week and the \u2018regular\u2019 Eureka Week. \u201cApart from student association members, I obviously also wanted to get to know my classmates,\u201d he continues. Van de Pas believes that there is a clear difference between both events: \u201cThe Eureka Week is mainly about the activities, the Entreeweek is more about socialising.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Tobias de Lange and Amber Schothorst at RSC\/RVSV during the Entreeweek.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSanne van der Most<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Right choice<\/h2>

Similarly, Noortje Hopstaken (20) did not hesitate long before signing up with the association. \u201cI am already happy with my choice; I had a great week, with a barbecue and boat ride, among other things. And a lot of parties, of course!\u201d These were mostly held at concert venue Annabel, in order to prevent public nuisances.<\/p>\n

However, Hopstaken is aware of the fact that the \u2018infamous\u2019 Introduction Weeks of her new association are still ahead of her. \u201cA period of hazing rituals is not always just \u2018fun\u2019; I am keeping that in mind. I just want to see with my own eyes if the negative allegations that are presented in the media, are true. I think it\u2019s not all that bad,\u201d she says, encouraging herself.<\/p>\n

Exaggerated<\/h2>

Business Administration student Wieger Lutters (20) shares Hopstaken\u2019s opinion and calls the television broadcast of research programme Rambam \u2018exaggerated\u2019. \u201cThey showed fragments that were only ten seconds long. That\u2019s not enough to base your opinion on.\u201d Lutters does not take the broadcast and the EUR\u2019s subsequent measures seriously.<\/p>\n

He was at the association house the entire week and explains why: \u201cBecause of the traditions, the loyalty between members, the social aspect\u2026 and the fact that the association is now mixed, of course!\u201d After singing his new association\u2019s praises, he leaves for the \u2018medical area\u2019 \u2013 a small room of only a few square metres \u2013 in which members that are studying Medicine will examine the association\u2019s latest \u2018addition\u2019.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSanne van der Most<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Number one priority<\/h2>

In the meanwhile, Schothorst emphasises that \u2013 even though she thinks that the independently organised Entreeweek was a success \u2013 re-establishing ties with the university should be a number one priority. She has set her sights on an Entreeweek in collaboration with the Eureka Week for next year.<\/p>\n

In a short response, a press officer for the EUR states that they are not surprised by the success of the independently run Entreeweek, referring to \u201csimilar cases in other student cities, such as Delft and Groningen\u201d. In these cities, the suspension of ties between the student association and the university similarly did not have a significant influence on the number of new members, although the associations in Delft and Groningen were (for the most part) present during the regular introduction weeks. In Delft, the student association was only excluded from the information market and the parade.<\/p>\n

The EUR is open to talks, but emphasises that it will obviously only take stock after the period of hazing rituals. Schothorst remains adamant: \u201cWe will soon be evaluating how the first weeks of the new academic year went. It is important to rekindle our relationship with the university and win back trust.\u201d For now, it remains to be seen if that will be possible and, if so, within what time frame.<\/p>\n\n\t

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