The Lijst Calimero thinks that students are suffering from studying at home
Staring at the clock. Checking the fridge. Shuffling about and getting strangely obsessed with cleaning the bathroom. Home-working is a hive of distractions, as most people have found out over the last few weeks. Giving the opportunity for people to study in a quiet, academic space may be very useful, says the party in a press release.
In the eyes of Lijst Calimero, it is essential that the University of Groningen can offer good study-and workplaces to its students, even during the current Coronavirus outbreak. The student party, which takes part in the University Council, states that in the transition to the one-and-a-half metre society there must be room for students to study properly.
Group Chair Floor Buigel: “We hear many complaints from our supporters and from students who have difficulties with home study. Students experience problems concentrating in a student room that is far too small, or lacks suitable equipment. There are also students with structural problems with their internet connection who therefore cannot fully attend a lecture or take an online exam.”
Lijst Calimero therefore advocates a limited opening of study places in buildings such as the Harmonie building or on the Zernike Campus within the current measures of the national government. This could reduce study difficulties for students.
“The safety of employees and students is of course paramount,” says Buigel. The party thinks that there are possibilities under special circumstances: for example, clear walking routes can be made and hand gel can be offered on every floor. In addition, there must be more than 1.5 meters between the workplaces and coffee areas can remain closed.
Within the current guidelines, both the RIVM and Dutch government state that libraries must remain closed until at least May 19. Yet here, according to Lijst Calimero, there is room for a limited opening of other buildings.
Since last week, Maastricht University has opened its buildings to a limited extent for students with a functional disability or problems with their internet.
Image via WikiUser Bert Kaufman. License here
