University Library workplaces only for UU students again in exam period

During the first and second examination period of this academic year, the University Libraries were already closed to non-UU students. The pilot is now being extended to the third examination period. From March 18 to April 11, only people who can prove that they are studying or working at the UU are allowed inside. “The signs we are receiving are positive”, Rector Henk Kummeling said during Monday's University Council meeting. An evaluation report is ready, he said. "But we will not be able to make a decision for the coming period in consultation with the University Council to make the pilot a permanent policy."

A first evaluation in November of 2018 already concluded that there were no more students rushing for a place to study in the morning, there was less noise, the library was cleaner and the library no longer had to refuse people because it was too busy. The choice does entail an extra investment. A stricter access policy costs 28,000 euros per teaching period. The costs are mainly due to the extra employees that are required for access control.

There has been some criticism in recent months. This came from, among others, students of universities of applies sciences, outsiders or alumni of the UU who are taking a master's degree in another city. Jan Bogerd, chairman of  HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, was also critical of the measure in an interview with DUB.