Life-size mural by Sanda Dia, attention to the (energy) crisis, but also… party! This is how university cities kicked off the academic year | Education

They were 170. Like every year, the procession of professors, in ceremonial costume, ushered in the academic year. A crowd of curious people showed up early in the morning to watch the procession on their way to St. Peter’s Church. To the tones of ‘Eye of the Tiger’, the company then started the short journey to the Pieter De Someraula, the largest in the city, where Rector Luc Sels gave a speech. He emphasized the hope not to lose, despite the flare-up of war violence on European soil, and the financial worries in many living rooms closer to home. “Stay away from the doom-mongering. A war economy only comes into being when you proclaim it every day. Believe in science. Show humanity, and stay away from polarization. Give each other energy. That is what thousands of students expect from us.”

The rector concluded his plea with a moment of silence for all employees who have lost the university in the past year. Caroline Pauwels (58), the former VUB rector who lost the battle against cancer in August, was also named. Finally, Sels referred to the towering mural on the walls of the auditorium. Since last week, the image of Sanda Dia, the KU Leuven student who died four years ago after a cruel baptism ritual. “The mural is a tribute from his friends and family to his far too short life, and calls on us to always be there for each other.”

The Student Council emphasized the lasting importance of video recordings, even during a coronal academic year. Furthermore, the chairman emphasized the difficult financial weather in which many students find themselves. “Combining studying with a student job is becoming more and more a must. As a university, let us keep an eye on the financial capacity and remove the barriers. Because the university is far from being a mirror of society.”

In Antwerp, the rain did not stop the students on Monday from starting the academic year with a party during Students on Stage on Sint-Jansplein. Leaving aside the corona year 2020, the number of students who come to the festival is growing every year. “Last year we noticed that after corona there was an enormous urge to bang. We were therefore allowed to receive a record number of students, they were no less than 10,000. Hopefully we can match that number this year,” says Jade Dewitte, who is ultimately responsible for Students on Stage.

20 student clubs were also represented at the festival. “What distinguishes Students on Stage from other student kick-offs is that the festival is entirely organized by students. We can count on 250 students who help with the organization on the day itself,” says Unifac chairman Jannes Van Dijck.

In recent months, the VUB has been hit by the loss of honorary rectors Paul De Knop and Caroline Pauwels. “We are starting the new academic year in special circumstances,” says current rector Jan Danckaert. “De Knop and Pauwels will certainly be missed at the VUB. At the same time, we must also dare to look to the future. In order to boost social life, we will provide good support for student circles and activities.”

As of this year, there is also a new policy on transgressive behavior that aims to make maximum efforts to prevent and – if transgressive behavior occurs – to provide better guidance to reporters so that they do not feel alone, YANA (Your Are Never Alone ). “Among other things, the disciplinary procedure was revised, both for students and for staff. The VUB also has a wide range of bodies, procedures and people at its disposal to deal with complaints about transgressive behaviour. However, they are not sufficiently coordinated. In order to provide better guidance to the reporter, we will now always assign one confidential counselor to whom victims must then tell their story once. That person will actively guide them during the further steps and also keep them better informed about the further decisions.”

The first real party night of the year proves that they live up to their stubborn reputation in Ghent. Ghent University has also kicked off the academic year, good for 46,000 extra students who can go out in the Overpoort. It was recently renovated and the extra terrace space it created was immediately used to install umbrellas. Rain? That won’t stop the Ghent students. “Actually, yesterday was the first night”, and “we will continue until the Student Kick-Off on Wednesday, and then we will close with the Gnome Dance”, it sounded between the rain showers. Although there was already a lot of practice on ‘Firework’ in the dance cafes, because Camille Dhont will continue to warm up the students on Wednesday.

Incidentally, the academic year also started with the procession of togati and a big bombshell about the campuses: Ghent University is going to organize it more efficiently, so a few well-known buildings will be empty within a few years. Although there was little to notice in the Overpoort. It’s a matter of getting out of the bar and into the auditorium, of course.