‘Worship rooms’

The University of Amsterdam had already decided to establish quiet rooms one year ago but a definitive decision has since been postponed.

It appears to be a controversial matter. ‘The sort of quiet rooms we have been talking about so far remind me too much of a worship room. As a public institution, we want to respect the principle of separation of church and state,’ de Jong said at the time.

The long awaited decision is greeted with enthusiasm by CMR members. ‘We are very happy,’ vice-president Van der Horst said. Van der Horst went on to emphasise that quiet rooms are not worship rooms. ‘We are a public university. We don’t recognise religion here.’

Gym

CMR member Bram Buskoop thinks it is good that a decision has finally been made. ‘Some students prefer going to Café Fest or the campus gym. Others want to take a break in a space where they can unwind and relax in silence.’

In the basement of Leeuwenburg, a HvA-building at Weesperzijde, an improvised (and tolerated) prayer room already exists. On several locations of the university special study rooms have been put in place where students can study in silence.