Headlines

About 180 university staff who had registered their children,born or unborn, for a subsidized crèche place got a nastyshock last week when they opened a letter from the Skobicrèche agency. It said the Utrecht University child carebudget for 2000 had been exhausted and staff would have to makeprivate arrangements. The university Board was seriouslyembarrassed when indignant staff demanded an explanation. Boardmember W. Kardux told the University Council Tuesday that theletter should be ignored: an update was on its way. The Boardconcedes that there is no more money for this year but neverthelesspromises places until the end of September. Meanwhile, the Board istrying to find more money for child care.

Vatican

The Vatican is expecting a visit from 6,000-10,000 academicsfrom all over the world on 9 and 10 September. In the presence ofthe pope, they will debate the role of universities in faith andsociety. University administrators and teachers have been invitedirrespective of their faith. Another 1,500 academics will attendpreparatory seminars and conferences in Italy in the week leadingup to the debate. The so-called Holy Year 2000 sees the Vaticanhosting various groups of people, for example journalists in July,young people in August and, apart from the academics, seniorcitizens in September.

Exam

A computer studies exam at Leiden University was invigilated viaInternet for the first time last week. The students did their"e-commerce and e-media" exam at home, under the eye and ear ofcamera and microphone. A single invigillator at the educationinstitute was able to keep track of the students, watching them ona screen and listening to them via a computer. Cheating by usingthe computer to call up files, receive e-mails or surf the internetwas prevented by special software.