Saturday 11 November 2023
How a pro-Palestine protest turned into a chase (and a flight between clothes racks)
On Thursday afternoon, an unannounced demonstration by action group Students for Palestine at the Wijnhaven building started with pushing and shoving but was eventually allowed to proceed. Afterwards, university ‘security guards’ followed students and lecturers on their way home. ‘Why are you following us? This is incredibly intimidating.’
Monday 6 November 2023
Suddenly there are access checks everywhere, but how strict are they?
How effective are the heightened security measures at Leiden University? Mare took a tour of ten different university buildings. Spoiler alert: seven of them could be accessed without an LU-Card, and two with someone else’s card.
Monday 6 November 2023
‘Wijnhaven closed due to external threat’
The Wijnhaven building was closed from Friday 13 October to Sunday 15 October due to threats from outside the university. So the ‘heightened security risk’ did not come from within the academic community.
Friday 29 September 2023
Cut fossil ties? The whole room votes in favour (but the result is ‘not binding’)
What to do with the ties between the university and the fossil industry? The attendees of Wednesday’s debate on that very question unanimously agreed: sever them immediately. ‘If we continue to work together, we are complicit in the destruction of life.’
Tuesday 19 September 2023
We cannot speak loud enough about suicide
It is a misconception that talking about suicide can put ideas into someone’s head, experts say. ‘Don’t underestimate how much of a difference you can make by being there for someone in their darkest moment.’
Tuesday 12 September 2023
Sustainable science or greenwashing?
During the opening of the academic year, critics of the university’s ties with the fossil industry also got the chance to have their say.
Monday 11 September 2023
Pride predicaments: Bringing banners results in beatings
Canal Pride Leiden was not just a party celebrating love and tolerance. On Saturday, a protest against pinkwashing was violently crushed. ‘Why are they knocking us off the bridge?’
Wednesday 28 June 2023
Did professor, co-author AND husband know Colzato was committing fraud? Leiden doesn’t want to know
The university has declared a complaint about psychology professor Bernhard Hommel inadmissible, even though the national integrity committee advised otherwise. As a result, there will be no investigation into any role he may have played in the fraud committed by his wife Lorenza Colzato.
Wednesday 28 June 2023
Yet another discussion on Palestine cancelled: ‘It’s as if the university treats us differently’
Once again, a panel discussion on Palestine organised by students was called off. The organisers and the university clashed over security measures. Last year, a similar debate was cancelled, which led to protests.
Wednesday 14 June 2023
Students unfairly excluded from exams: ‘Those duped by MyStudymap should complain’
Students who failed to confirm their registration in MyStudymap on time cannot just be excluded from participating in exams, according to the Examination Appeals Board. ‘Even if you were in the wrong, that doesn’t justify the possibility of being unceremoniously kicked out of the room.’
Friday 9 June 2023
Uproar over Egypt expo barely affects university: ‘It’s a gut reaction’
Egypt is furious over an ‘Afrocentric’ exhibition at the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities. The museum has been banned from excavating in Egypt. For the university, the consequences are minimal. ‘This is a ridiculous misconception.’
Monday 15 May 2023
Activist ‘rector’ cuts fossil (neck)ties
This month, climate activists are protesting against universities' collaborations with the fossil industry. Last Tuesday, they staged an action in Leiden.