{"id":93546,"date":"2018-12-19T16:19:17","date_gmt":"2018-12-19T15:19:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=93546"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:23:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:23:11","slug":"student-associations-pleased-to-have-moved-to-p-building","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2018\/12\/19\/student-associations-pleased-to-have-moved-to-p-building\/","title":{"rendered":"Student associations pleased to have moved to P Building"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last summer, the associations all moved into the P Building in anticipation of the scheduled demolition of the N Building. They traded a cold N Building, which was virtually impossible to find, for the light of the new P Building \u2013 which is also a bit tucked away, unfortunately. It\u2019s a pity they weren\u2019t allowed to bring along their furniture though.<\/p>\n

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The P-building is just below the K.P. van de Mandeleplein.<\/span><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

The N Building was freezing cold, dark and isolated. The P Building, in contrast, is far more welcoming, and its extensive array of windows results in better, more natural lighting and a transparent appearance. According to the students, the building offers other benefits besides: improved communication between the associations and a \u2018more professional look and feel\u2019. One drawback is that the associations have fewer opportunities to express their individual identities.<\/p>\n

Hiding below street level<\/h2>

While the change of location takes some getting used to, it was definitely a move in the right direction, say most students. One aspect that has remained the same is a certain lack of visibility: while the N Building was tucked away in some remote corner of the campus, the P Building is more or less hiding below street level, under the square in front of the Aula. However, the students have developed their own solutions to this problem.<\/p>\n

For example, Pia Uhlenberg (Exchange Participant Manager at AIESEC) tells us that at the end of summer, AIESEC members made an instruction video that shows how you can find the P Building and reach their new office. AIESEC can send this clip to members and other people who plan to visit them on campus.<\/p>\n

Drinks in the garden<\/h2>
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And accessibility-wise, things have actually improved since the video was made: you can now find a staircase running from K.P. van de Mandeleplein to the P Building. The stair leads to a court garden that is lined by the various association offices. This doesn\u2019t just help people who plan to visit a particular association; it also creates new options for the associations themselves. ESN President Sander van der Neut tells us some of his ideas: \u201cNow that the court garden can be accessed from the square, we hope to organise activities there more often \u2013 drinks for example. And the associations are also easier to reach for students.\u201d<\/p>\n

Improved collaboration<\/h2>

Another advantage brought by the move is improved collaboration between the associations. In the N Building the associations used to be spread across multiple floors. Now, they\u2019re all on the same floor, have a number of shared spaces and meeting rooms and share a kitchen. Because at the new location, students are now longer allowed to have their own electronic appliances like a fridge or coffee maker in the offices.<\/p>\n

While the shared kitchen is a bit further down for the active members of UniPartners, it definitely has advantages for them too, according to UniPartners\u2019 marketing manager Dana Braber. She\u2019s noticed that it encourages interaction between the associations. The different board members run into each other more often and have a chat. Talking around the coffee maker in particular can lead to closer friendships.<\/p>\n

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Joint opening party<\/h2>

A prime example of closer collaboration between the associations was the joint opening party they threw for the P Building in November. The party was a huge success. By working together, the associations were able to procure extra financial support. For example, De Smitse arranged a bar for the event \u2013 free of charge \u2013 and there was a stage where student musicians could perform live music. The party was also possible thanks to the support of Studium Generale and the organisers of EUR\u2019s 105th<\/sup> anniversary celebrations, \u2018Science meets city\u2019. The event would have never been this big a success without close collaboration.<\/p>\n

More professional look and feel, less scope for individuality<\/h2>

Other improvements listed by the students include the larger offices and more meeting rooms. Pia Uhlenberg (AIESEC): \u201cOur new premises feel more professional. As associations, we also feel more like an integral part of the university than before.\u201d<\/p>\n

The only major drawback named by many of the respondents is that they\u2019re not allowed to personalise their offices. They\u2019re only allowed to put up posters and the like using the ceiling rails or poster buddies. Screws, nails, thumb tacks and even tape are all off limits. As a result, many members feel they have very little scope to express their association\u2019s unique character.<\/p>\n

ESN president Sander van der Neut in particular isn\u2019t too pleased with this restriction: \u201cESN\u2019s identity is different to that of other associations. That\u2019s also why we want to clearly show what we\u2019re about. We feel rather cramped in our style occasionally.\u201d<\/p>\n

More than anything, ESA\u2019s external relations officer Jan Potuzak and vice president Armands Paplavskis are sad that they weren\u2019t allowed to move their old couch into their new offices.<\/p>\n

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