The campaign Bord voor je kop (part of a Dutch expression meaning ‘to be thick-skinned’) was set up by members of the Departmental Council. Scene of action: several lecture theaters at MetaForum. It’s just a joke, initiator Kees Huizing stresses. “I hope people don’t get too mad about it”.
He definitely doesn’t want to come across as a sourpuss, says the computer science lecturer. “MetaForum is fine, and so are the lecture theaters. But they’re low, and the boards haven’t been put up properly. From the third row upwards you can’t see half of the board or slides anymore, because you’re staring at the backs of the heads of the people in front of you.”

It’s a known issue with speakers and audience alike. “People feel there doesn’t really seem to be a focus on quality education”, Huizing says tentatively. The Departmental Council already brought up the issue with the Departmental Board a while ago, which then turned to Real Estate Management (DH). But: “The board says it can’t do anything right now, so there won’t be any changes in any time soon”.

Still, Huizing feels there are ways to solve the problem, “but those cost money, of course”. He suggests hanging extra screens in some lecture theaters: “It’s a popular solution -and this is pretty funny- in old university buildings”. Removing some of the ceiling modules or the projectors hanging over the smartboards, will make for extra room in the top of the theaters. Besides, MetaForum has only flat lecture theaters. “A little slant might help, too”.

Today, users of the lecture rooms are referred to a Facebook page. The campaigners want to gain as much support as possible. With their collection of digital endorsements, Huizing and partners want to urge the Executive Board to find a solution.