DUB editor-in-chief steps down

Armand Heijnen, editor-in-chief of the digital Ublad, has resigned. In a message sent to the staff of the Communications & Marketing Office he called DUB’s successful launch on 12 April a good moment to step down. According to Heijnen, this launch is the materialisation of the intended modernisation of Ublad and therefore the right time to pass the torch to someone else. ‘DUB will have to make a new start; both for DUB, the editors and myself it is better it this is carried out by a fresh team, starting with a new editor-in-chief. It is up to the editorial and executive boards to arrange this.’ Heijnen’s resignation was a surprise to both the editors and the editorial board. Chair of the editorial board, Leen Dorsman, says he is considering what to do about the new situation and hopes to be able to provide clarity about Heijnen’s successor shortly. In the meantime, senior-editor Erik Hardeman will coordinate the activities of the editorial staff. Heijnen is leaving after more than ten years of being editor-of-chief of Ublad. During this period the editorial office moved twice and Ublad was being subjected to some major changes. Over a year ago, Heijnen initiated the process leading to the discontinuation of Ublad’s paper edition last December and the launch of DUB last week. This controversial initiative ignited fierce debates among the editorial staff, another reason for Heijnen to decide to step down. According to the departing editor-in chief, further personal reasons also added to his resignation. “After ten years it was time to go.” Heijnen will remain affiliated with Communications & Marketing, where he will contribute to the launch of a new internal corporate news medium. He will also be involved in the activities towards the 375th anniversary of Utrecht University in 2011. The editorial staff of DUB