There's really only one reason why I took on the role of faculty student assessor: I simply find it a very pleasant faculty. That's why in this column I want to discuss three specific examples of student culture at this faculty that we should be truly proud of.
To begin with something I already mentioned in my previous column: toasties. In the student canteens, I could be found early in my student days looking for cheap toasties, made by students whom I found a bit intimidating at the time. Many toasties later, the intimidation has worn off. And there was even good news last week. The toasties have been reduced in price: From €1.00 to €0.90. The reason? Too much profit was being made on the toasties, which needed to be lower according to the students. Toasties in the student canteen are a classic. For a long time, there has been a committee of students who voluntarily bake toasties during every break. These toasties fulfill a need that students have had for years: an inexpensive lunch without too much fuss. If you're in wing 5 on the ground floor during lunch break, there are constant announcements that toasties are ready, baked in the student canteens. Nowadays, you can also reserve toasties digitally via the website. This website, built by a few Computing Science students, immediately contains all the functions you need for a student canteen: ordering toasties, playing songs, and live availability of drinks.
Then some other student news: for the upcoming introduction, the BeestFeest (Beast Party) has been (temporarily) canceled. An incredible loss: BeestFeest is the largest student party in Nijmegen and deserves a blog of its own for its contribution to not only FNWI but the entire university. To still be able to hold a big party with the incoming first-year students, other students and I are working hard to do our best. Following this ongoing discussion, I've delved deeper into the introduction and how FNWI students contribute to it. We have six study associations, each with a committee of about ten students who spend almost a year preparing for the introduction. Sixty students who, together with the university, the municipality, and the associations, set up an introduction week for all first-year students. I've never been on an introduction committee myself, but I was a mentor for several years. A week from early morning until way too late, and that for seven days straight. Physically and mentally, it's an enormous challenge but also so much fun. Each year, I think there are about 150 students setting up the welcome image for new students. They do this because they enjoy being at this faculty (and specifically their programme) so much. And that year after year.
To conclude, another initiative that was set up a few years ago by students within the faculty: Trusted Contact Persons, or Confidants. Every study association at FNWI has appointed two highly visible students who can be approached within the study association. These students receive training through the university and thus also learn where to refer students if more help is needed. This system is an important signal from the study associations at FNWI to all students here that fellow students are there for you and can offer a listening ear.
All these initiatives are hidden in our daily lives. They have become standard components of student culture at FNWI, and that's precisely why I want to highlight them. They once started as loose ideas, suggested by individual students, that have grown into full-fledged initiatives. For each of these student ideas, it would not have been possible without the faculty and thoughtful, willing staff members. It is precisely through this interaction of enthusiastic students and staff who appreciate their value that we have initiatives that are now indispensable.
Also, be sure to check out the websites if you didn't know about one of these initiatives yet:
