Labour participants should make city centre buildings more welcoming

This month, members of the UU Council wrote a memo urging UU to reopen the building's receptions. They argued that the policy of making receptionists redundant is having a disastrous effect. The council members concluded this after numerous complaints from employees of the Faculty of Humanities who miss “a familiar face” in the buildings where they work. According to these employees, the lack of a receptionist contributes to the decline of social cohesion in the workplace. Since the buildings have been made more difficult to access, guests do not feel welcome and the contact between students and lecturers is hampered.

The employees also say that they hardly notice any invigilators walking around the buildings. UU has opted for mobile surveillance because it would be better in terms of safety and also in terms of employees' sense of safety.

QR code
In a committee meeting with the UU Council, Vice-President Margot van der Starre said that the university said goodbye to receptionists for a reason. According to her, things have become more efficient since the change and the university does not have the financial luxury to make additional expenditures right now.

Even so, the Executive Board understands there are disadvantages to the policy, which is why Van der Starre wants to investigate if people could be appointed to the Trans 10 and Drift 6 buildings under the Participation Act. They could greet guests or perform other necessary activities. Consultations are currently being held with the Faculty of Humanities about what the position would entail.

In addition, the university will investigate the possibility of sending a QR code to students and guests who have an appointment in one of the buildings. To enter the building, all they would have to do is point their phone towards the XS reader. The QR code should only be valid for a limited time. Visiting employees would gain temporary access through their campus card.

Furthermore, Van der Starre wants to ensure that employees see surveillance officers more often. According to the Facility Service Centre, the university has taken steps to make surveillance officers more visible, but this will be emphasised even more.

Satisfied
Council member Eleni Braat, who wrote the memo, notes that the priorities of the Executive Board and the employees still seem to differ. While the board emphasises safety and efficiency, employees are mainly talking about hospitality and warmth. Nevertheless, she is satisfied. “I have the impression that there is more understanding now. I hope that the solution will be the presence of people at the two receptions in combination with technical resources and surveillance teams.”