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.
Thursday 2 March 2023
Leiden University to map out all ties to fossil industry
The Executive Board has met with representatives of End Fossil, the action group that disrupted the ceremony during the university's Dies Natalis with a protest. ‘The Board will consult the community first and foremost before taking any decision. That is the Leiden approach.’
Monday 20 February 2023
The end of #Cameragate: Board accepts criticism and turns off cameras
Leiden University's 371 smart cameras will remain off for good. This was decided by the Executive Board on Monday following a negative advice from the University Council. ‘If you feel that this technology does not belong here, we will remove it.’
Wednesday 1 February 2023
University Council votes against cameras: ‘This is invasive, disproportionate and has to go’
On Monday afternoon, the University Council voted against the reactivation of the smart cameras. None of the parties in the Council meeting was in favour of reactivating the counting system in the manner proposed by the Executive Board.
Friday 13 January 2023
University wants to turn smart cameras back on (at the highest security level)
The Executive Board wants to turn the camera’s at the entrances of the lecture halls back on. In late 2021, the cameras were turned off following Mare's reporting and several protests. According to the Executive Board, measures have since been taken to correct the privacy and security issues. The University Council will discuss the plan in the coming month.
Wednesday 21 December 2022
Faculties grapple with starter grants: share fairly, or do as the minister says?
According to the university, not only new assistant professors should benefit from Minister Dijkgraaf’s starter grants. The faculties intend to make wider use of the money.
Wednesday 21 December 2022
Objection to new schedule with ‘highly destructive consequences’
The Humanities Faculty Council has expressed strong criticism of the plan to schedule all minors and elective courses in one semester. ‘I strongly advise the Faculty Board to convince the Executive Board that this is not a good idea.’
Monday 28 November 2022
What exactly does the Personnel Monitor measure?
Too broad, too vague, too many repetitions: according to the Faculty Council of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Personnel Monitor questionnaire is of poor quality. ‘The results may not be representative.’
Monday 28 November 2022
Seven cents per kilometre is ‘insufficient’: ‘NS gets a fifth of my wages’
The university’s travel allowance is too low, according to unions and staff participation bodies. This particularly affects PhD candidates, and it weakens Leiden’s competitive position.
Monday 7 November 2022
One by one, institutes break ties with removed professor Tim de Zeeuw
Astronomer Tim de Zeeuw once said he had ‘the best astronomy job in the world’. But after the university found him to have engaged in ‘extremely unacceptable behaviour’ and removed him, other institutions are now also distancing themselves from him. De Zeeuw himself states that he has been ‘unpleasant and impatient in an old-fashioned way’.
Monday 7 November 2022
No radical reform despite strong consensus on climate change
Over a thousand scientists from forty countries have signed an open letter by Scientist Rebellion stating it is no longer defensible to publicly say that global warming will be limited to 1.5 degrees.
Tuesday 25 October 2022
Removed astronomy professor is Tim de Zeeuw
The professor who was removed by the university this week is Professor of Theoretical Astronomy Tim de Zeeuw, NRC has reported. Multiple sources have also confirmed this to Mare.