Students have to give something to become a member of Vindicat or Albertus. The number of registrations is so large that aspiring members of Vindicat have to run more than 18 kilometers for admission.
Albertus, the largest student association in Groningen with almost 2500 members, asks students to send a handwritten letter and a video of themselves. ,,We closed the KEI-week with no fewer than 1070 registrations for the coming academic year”, explains vice-praeses Chanel Akkerman.
“It’s really nice to see that there is so much enthusiasm for our association, but unfortunately there is only room for 500 new members per year. To be able to participate in the lottery, as an entrant you must submit a handwritten letter of motivation and a motivational video. With this we hope to create a threshold, so to speak, so that only motivated students register with our association. Yet every year it is annoying to have to disappoint so many entrants.”
Run or cycle 18 kilometers to become a Vindicater
There is also a lottery at Vindicat, which has 2100 members. “We have 700 registrations, while we have room for 470 new members,” says rector Adriaan Zoetmulder. “That is why we also ask the prospective members if they want to send a handwritten letter. Of course we do this to prevent people from using ChatGPT to make a nice letter. In addition, just like last year, we are giving the assignment to make a beautiful drawing of the society.”
But then the prospective corps members are not there yet. “They also have to run or cycle 18.15 kilometers. That distance is a nod to our founding year.”
Is this the case with all associations? so no
At Dizkartes (800 members) this is all a bit easier. ,,With us, the number of registrations was also slightly less than last year due to the reduced number of boulder runners”, a spokesperson explains. “We have a good number of registrations again this year. With us you don’t have to add assignments or anything like that to your registration to become a member.”