Because the renovation plans will be implemented fully, the 14-percent baseline -the annual portion of the budget that is earmarked for housing- will be exceeded. However, the Supervisory Board as well as the Executive Board think it’s acceptable, says Executive Board member Jo van Ham.

According to Van Ham, there’s no real alternative for the building, which has been partially empty for some time now. “We can’t very well put a fence around it for the next few years, as it’s one of our most prominent campus buildings.” He also feels the Departments of Industrial Design and Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences deserve a proper home. “These are two major departments for which we can’t allow any delays. I for one think they have to wait too long as it is.”

Currently, the building houses the Department of ID, General Affairs Department, Central Emergency Station, part of the Education and Student Service Center, the Bachelor College, and Graduate School. There’s also the Art Library, University Club, and a number of external organizations. All these residents must have vacated the premises before the end of the year.

When renovation is completed, the building will be welcoming the Departments of IE&IS, and the Eindhoven School of Education, as well as eight services. The Executive Board will return, and the deans and faculty of the Bachelor College and Graduate School, and the University Club will also move in.