Radboud University and HAN are intensifying collaboration during orientation week, which starts this Sunday
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Studenten tijdens de introductiemarkt in 2023. Foto: Diede van der Vleuten // Johannes Fiebig
Some 3,500 prospective students are expected to discover the city during Radboud University's orientation week, which starts on Sunday. This year, the University and University of Applied Sciences are intensifying their collaboration in organising the week.
A few more days, and it will once again be time for Radboud Intro: the annual week when thousands of new first-year students are introduced to the city, the campus, and their fellow students. Some 3,500 people have registered this year, not to mention another 1019 mentors and 218 orientation committee members.
This year, the orientation week once again coincides with that of HAN University of Applied Sciences. In previous years, this choice attracted some criticism: for example, associations indicated that there were not enough locations for their activities, and that the city centre in particular was extremely crowded. ‘There was less of this kind of criticism this year,’ says orientation coordinator Elke Moser Melis. ‘Perhaps also because we now have more locations, with the addition of the Nyma and Papierfabriek sites.’
GNSV not present at the Intromarkt
The controversial right-wing nationalist student association GNSV will not be attending this year’s Intromarkt. It was announced earlier this week that the association withdrew after one of their members was arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and possession and manufacturing of illegal weapons and ammunition. The association did attend the Intromarkt in previous years. In 2023, a scuffle broke out at the student association’s stall, leading to two GNSV members being injured. Three people were arrested, although none of them were convicted. Last year, there were no incidents involving GNSV, although there was a counter action with flyers being handed out.
What’s more, the merger is also a deliberate and practical choice, says Moser Melis. ‘It means that the municipality, the Dar, the police, and business owners in the city centre only have one week in which they have to operate at full strength, rather than two. And we can also organise activities together, which is easier for everyone.’
Sports day
For example, HAN University of Applied Sciences will contribute a few stalls to the Intromarkt, which will take place on the Radboud campus on Monday. ‘It’s an ideal opportunity for HBO students to also get to know the student associations’, says the orientation coordinator. Another joint event is the official opening on Monday evening.
Due to the coinciding of the orientation weeks, the sports day had to be shortened, from a whole day to half a day. ‘HAN University of Applied Sciences and ROC are also organising a sports day at the sports centre, so there was simply no space anymore.’
This year’s orientation week is a day shorter than previous editions. The closing festival is not on Saturday, but on Friday. ‘The surveys we conduct every year showed that many students actually thought the week was too long’, explains coordinator Moser Melis. ‘So we decided to bring the festival forward by a day.’
Festival grounds remain the same
The cuts facing the University did not play a role in the choice to shorten the event, says Moser Melis. The festival site, in Park Brakkenstein, will look broadly the same as last year. Headlining the festival is DJ $hirak, known for major productions with rappers Lil’ Kleine and Ronnie Flex, among others. Also on the programme are Amsterdam band Nachtdienst – a hit in student circles – and 13-year-old rap talent Moo$.
The venue is also open to senior students; tickets can be purchased via the Radboud Intro website.
A new document to sign
Participants in the orientation week (i.e. all first-year students, mentors, and orientation committee members, Eds.) are required to sign a new document this year, detailing what is expected of them in terms of behaviour. This includes rules around conduct and alcohol consumption.
Just like last year, the terms ‘intropapa’ and ‘intromama’ are again banned, to be replaced exclusively by the term ‘mentor’. Also, in line with campus policy, throughout orientation week, no alcohol may be consumed before 3.30 p.m. The organisation will enforce the rules outlined in the document if necessary.
‘Above all, we hope to raise awareness so that committee members and mentors challenge each other’s behaviour if needed’, says Moser Melis. ‘We have also asked associations and orientation committees to not plan activities where alcohol is served before 3.30 p.m.’
