News of the week: 19 – 25 February

What's happening at the university? Afraid you missed anything? Here is your weekly update from 19-25 February. About golden medals, buying Facebook likes and the famous monkey cliff.

No buying likes for the RUG

fb rug‘Paying for Facebook likes? Over my dead body!’ says Jessica Winters, marketing coordinator for the RUG. TU Delft media advisor Rob Speekenbrink found that some universities get inexplicable bursts of fans and suspects that the schools buy their likes.

Winters says that the RUG advertises more on Facebook nowadays than in newspapers where a smaller investment can get better results. Winters also said that the RUG is working through Instagram and twitter to connect with students who are still in high school who are starting to think about where to go to college.

 Get rid of  the monkey cliff

thumb-apenrotsThe wooden installation in the UB referred to by students as ‘the monkey cliff’ will be removed. Students just don’t think it’s cool, according to the student group SOG. A survey in January showed that students thought it did not take adequate advantage of the space in the library. Only 13 percent of the 1,033 students who participated in the survey said they had ever used the space on the first floor.

‘We think it’s simply logical to look for a new plan now,’ spokesperson Minke Haveman said in response. A new function for the space is being sought.

No increase in points

thumb-collegezaalThere will not be an increase in the points requirements for study assessments in order to continue studying, according to vice chancellor Elmer Sterken. He is satisfied with the results since changing the required points to 45, but wonders if this will be sufficient to meet the university’s performance goals agreed upon with the education ministry.

‘In 2015, seventy percent of the students should be getting their bachelor degree within four years. I am happy with the direction we are going, but I think it is hard to guarantee that we will reach that goal.’

24 medals in stead of 14

thumb-medaillesThe Dutch did far better in the Olympics than predicted by vice chancellor Elmer Sterken, economics student Fabian ten Kate and economist Gerard Kuper predicted. They projected 14 medals for the Dutch, but the final total was 24.

‘We were absolutely right that Russia would win the most medals, but everyone was wrong about the Netherlands. It was a performance coaches only dream of. When all three skaters on the podium for the 500 meter race were Dutch, everything just worked from that point on.’

 

26-02-2014