Seasonal vegetables instead of junk food for students at Campus Fryslân
Students prefer to eat frozen pizza, cheese pastries and fries? Not Jonas, Leslie and Barbara, who have local, organic vegetables delivered to Campus Fryslân every week. »
New style guide on inclusive language: The importance of he/she/they
The introduction of a new guideline for inclusive language at the university has earned the Diversity and Inclusion Office hate mail. But it is a necessary measure, say transgender and non-binary students. ‘How do you correct the professor when he misgenders you during a lecture?’ »
Op stap met: Hieke | People-watching at the Concerthuis
There’s so much to do in Groningen that you really need a guide to help you uncover the city’s hidden gems. Every week, UKrant’s student editors share their cultural agenda with you. What’s their favourite venue and which events in the upcoming week are absolutely not to be missed? »
Lars is a top athlete: ‘I want to finish my studies so I can focus on my judo career’
Judoka Lars van Oostrum is well on his way to qualifying for the European Championships in September. And as if life as an athlete isn’t busy enough, he combines it with an econometrics study at the UG. ‘I was capable of doing it, so why not?’ »
Gronings without shame; how does music affect the image of local languages?
Groningen-language indie rock band Hister is hard at work creating a profile for itself. The band, formed by UG employee Merel Weijer, is even part of a study on whether regional-language music makes people less reluctant to speak Gronings. »
Godwits aren’t pre-programmed; they learn from their fellow birds
Is a bird’s migratory behaviour innate? No, says a study by UG ecologists Theunis Piersma, Jelle Loonstra, and Mo Verhoeven. The study was recently published in Current Biology. »
Ricardo Roebers about the ‘gender gap’ in the world of drum & bass
Ricardo Roebers, also known as Red Manta, is writing his thesis on the gender gap in the drum & bass world. The master student of popular music, sound and media cultures has a show called Amen to Womxn at Vera’s Relate Radio. »
Ombudsperson received more than 100 reports since she took office
More than a hundred UG employees went to the ombudsperson since she started in September of 2021. At least three quarters of their reports concerned the lack of social safety, many of these reports originating from the arts faculty. Most reports from students came from the UMCG. »
Two new university council factions in ten years’ time: what drives Nicolai Petkov?
Computer science professor Nicolai Petkov won a seat on the university council with Kwaliteit Voorop (Quality First). Why did he start this new party and what does he hope to achieve over the next two years? »
Learning to embrace rejection and to fail even better
On a chilly, sunny morning, I wake up to the doorbell and a beautiful bouquet from the faculty board. There is nothing I love more than unexpected small acts of recognition, and this one puts a smile on my face that I carry with me for the rest of the day. Word has arrived that […] »
Mixing it up: The international associations that welcome other cultures
There are student associations for just about any nationality in Groningen. However, some actively search for members from countries beyond their own. ‘We aren’t moving Hellenic society to Groningen; we are spreading the culture.’ »
Groningen housing troubles #5: Getting your deposit back
In a city with thousands of students and not enough rooms, you are bound to run into problems. UKrant addresses the most common housing troubles and tries to offer some solutions. In the last instalment of the series: what to do if your landlord refuses to return your deposit? »
After the occupation, the accusations fly: What’s next?
What happened that drove a group of students to occupy the Academy building for a second time? Why did the board of directors call the police to get rid of them, and why did the police use force to do so? And how can the students and the university move forward? »
What a dick! Students reflect on the phallus
As the new exhibition PHALLUS at the University Museum shows, Western society is obsessed with penises. And UG students share that obsession. ‘They are a bit pathetic. Especially if they are just hanging around.’ »
Mosquitoes feast on ACLO gym-goers
Students go to the ACLO sports centre expecting to get their sweat on. But recently, they’ve been losing more bodily fluids than they bargained for: a plague of mosquitoes is out for their blood. »
Opening academic year moved to Friday because of new rector
The UG traditionally celebrates the start of a new academic year on the first Monday in September. But this year, the university will change that. The stately procession of professors to and the speeches in the Martini church will this year be held on Friday, September 1. The UG says it’s decided to change the […] »
Out on the town with: Mai | Soaking up the tranquility at the Hortus Botanicus
UKrant’s student editors share their cultural agenda with you. What’s their favourite venue and which events in the upcoming week are absolutely not to be missed? »
Science for everyone: Maaike Muller’s travelling installations
Not everyone has the same chance of staying healthy for a long time, Maaike Muller knows. She’s making an effort to educate people with scientific insights into health and make it as accessible as possible. ‘I want people to just sort of come across science.’ »
Wandering through Zernike’s nature wearing headphones
Today is the International Day of Biodiversity. To make people more aware of the subject, UG staff member Douwe-Jan Schrale created an audio tour. »
Guinea pigs #4 | Synchronising brains during poker: ‘I’m thrilled my bluffs don’t get called’
Scientific research wouldn’t be where it is today without test subjects. What kind of experiments are researchers doing at the university and what is it like to be a part of them? UKrant signed up as a guinea pig. Part 4: The effect of emotions on bluffing. »
Groningen housing troubles #4: Horrible roommates
In a city with thousands of students and not enough rooms, you are bound to run into problems. UKrant addresses the most common housing troubles and tries to offer some solutions. This week: what to do when you have a horrible roommate? »
Decolonising the UG: Students are paving the way
Decolonisation is an uncomfortable, complex and ongoing process, students say. But while the university is increasingly discussing diversity and inclusion, it shies away from confronting its colonial roots. »
City council seeks explanation on police actions in Academy building
City council parties GroenLinks, the Party for the Animals, and D66 are shocked by the police’s actions during the occupation of the Academy building on April 25. They’ve asked the municipal executives for an explanation. »
Out on the town with: Silke | Modern art in H47
Every week, UKrant’s student editors share their cultural agenda with you. What’s their favourite venue and which events in the upcoming week are absolutely not to be missed? This week: everything going on in Leeuwarden, the city of Campus Fryslân. »
400 years of internationalism at the UG: ‘We don’t have to feel like outsiders’
Internationals Michal, Anna and Darynka often felt like outsiders in Groningen. Now, they’ve set up an exhibit highlighting the long history of foreign students at the UG. ‘We were, and still are, always part of the community and society.’ »
Project Passion #4: Luca does stand-up comedy
Studying is fun, but some students have hobbies, too. In our video series Project Passion we pay them a visit. This week: artificial intelligence student Luca does stand-up comedy. »
The dog that saved me: A love story
Slovakian student Jakub was determined not to adopt a stray dog while working at a dog shelter in Mexico. But then he stumbled on starving, flea-ridden Iskra and decided to save her from the streets. In return, she saved his life and found him love. »
Win for new staff party university council; turnout slightly higher
For the first time in years, the staff section of the university council has a new party: Kwaliteit Voorop (Quality First). The one-man faction set up by computer science professor Nicolai Petkov received enough votes for a seat. »
Lowering the bar: an oversimplified plan for a complex issue
I really do not get it. Why would the Minister of Education propose the most simplistic possible plan of the reduction of required first-year university credits to 30 out of 60 to reduce student stress? I try to let this sink in my brain quietly, but even two days later, I find myself outside running […] »
Russian studies tries to find ways to talk about the war
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is greatly impacting Russian studies at the UG. And there are more changes pending. ‘Now especially, it’s important to understand the Russian culture.’ »