Less nuisance at Drift thanks to Library pilot

Facilities director Eddie Verzendaal states thusly in response to DUB’s questions about the topic. It’s cleaner there, there’s less noise, there are fewer instances of misbehaviour in the ‘mischief’ category.

The pilot that’s banning non-UU students from the University Library and other university buildings in the city centre during exam weeks have more advantages than just offering more space for UU students to study. “The student card and ID card checks come with the pleasant side effect that there’s less nuisance,” says Verzendaal. “The pilot hasn’t been up and running for very long yet, but first impressions seem to be that it’s calmer, there’s less noise, and less trash lying around.”

Drug deals
DUB asked questions after a remark made by vice dean Peter Schrijver during the faculty meeting of the Faculty of Humanities last week. He voiced his suspicion that, thanks to the pilot, there are fewer drug deals happening in and around the Drift buildings.

Verzendaal doesn’t know of any stories about drug deals, but says there is definitely a safer ambiance and more order in the Drift buildings.

“There’s no strong evidence that points to actual drug deals taking place,” Schrijver explains, “but we’re keeping an eye out for them.”

He says the suspicious transactions are said to be witnessed by students, employees, and security staff. An example is the suspicious use of lockers – in which a locker is used (and filled) by one person, and used (and emptied) by someone else only a little while later – which has since been investigated. The outcome, however, was that the situation was innocent. The faculty meeting also heard people talk about ‘suspicious figures wearing helmets’ who are said to enter the buildings every now and then.

Stressed-out students
Schrijver says he bets there’s a risk of drug deals in all public places, including university buildings. “It would be remarkable if there weren’t any, especially with all these stressed-out students.”