Petition about closed party rooms for students: “Those places… (Wilrijk)
Spoed vzw, the organization of medical students responsible for De Spoed room in the Fort VI of Wilrijk, is a petty set up. The non-profit organization wants to show the University of Antwerp that the rooms Biokot, De Spoed, Hagar and Rabbits are important to the students. “But the service considered it impossible to keep the rooms open,” says Peter De Meyer, spokesperson for the University of Antwerp.
Saar Van Olmen
Last week there was some disappointing news for the students of the University of Antwerp Campus Drie Eiken. Two weeks before the start of the academic year, they were told that their beloved banquet halls the Hagar, the Emergency, the Rabbit Pipe and the Biokot will remain closed for good. Peter De Meyer: “Research shows that the ventilation in the halls is not in order. Specialists also make it impossible to solve the ventilation problem.”
Now Spoed vzw, the organization responsible for De Spoed, has launched a petition. “Fort VI is a hugely important location for us,” says Xavier Van den Bosch. “These are rooms that are cheap and do not require much maintenance.”
Concerns
According to the non-profit association, the main problem is that it will be difficult to find other good halls in time. “Air quality is indeed important, we certainly don’t want to undermine it. But with our petition already (monday night red.) has been signed by 2,500 people, we show that students and former students find it important that we have a location where we can go out.”
The non-profit organization wants to enter into consultation and, for example, to install devices that can lower CO2 values. “We understand that would be a major investment, but we feel the closure is a decision that was made very quickly, without consultation with the students. We have not seen any reports and have spoken to no experts, so it is difficult for some students to take.” The non-profit organization knew that the university was going to investigate air quality, but did not expect the halls to close.
Problem cannot be solved
According to the university, the problem cannot be solved. “This is a special location,” says Peter De Meyer of the University of Antwerp. “The rooms are located in Fort VI, which was not built with the intention of organizing parties. Air quality was also high on the list during the corona crisis. It is really impossible to meet all the requirements of the Royal Decree. In addition, Fort VI is protected and will arise in future agreements regarding immovable heritage.”
The University of Antwerp says they cannot run any risk. “We cannot afford to open the halls and discover after two weeks that a super spread of the virus would have taken place. Even though many students have been vaccinated.”
The university has announced that it is in consultation with the catering industry in Wilrijk to find an alternative for students. “There is currently no white smoke, but we are in negotiations.”
But time is limited. The university wants to find a solution this week because the academic year will start next week. The students worry that there will be no alternative. Aesculapia, the student association for medical students, will consult with the university on Wednesday in the search for a solution.