The decorative ironwork was sent back with an apology
A former RUG student in Groningen has returned a stolen part of the Academybuilding, which was taken during a drunken midnight escapade in 2000. Rector Magnificus Cisca Wijmenga received the ornament, and a note of apology a few days ago, reports the Groninger Internet Courant.
“When I was studying at the RUG around the year 2000, I did something stupid,” the anonymous RUG alumnus begun the note. “The Academy Building was covered in scaffolding and at night I climbed on it (following a friend that I wanted to save from a certain fall).”
“Once at the top, I thought it would be a good idea to hang from a cast iron ornament. The thing broke off, I was shocked and took the ornament with me. The next morning it lay next to my pillow. Filled with guilt, I kept it for twenty years. Now I am returning it. Apologies for any problems. Kind regards, An Alumnus”.
Rector Cisca Wijmenga thanked the anonymous alumnus on Twitter. “Honesty is the best policy!” She says. It is not entirely certain where exactly on the building the piece of iron should sit. According to the RUG, it often happens that parts of the Academy Building suddenly disappear. For example, statue of Minerva on the building was recently found not to have a spear in her hand, but a broomstick.