Update about occupation (bezetting) Drift 21

Today I stopped by the Drift 21 occupation again (although I could only stay for a few minutes, unfortunately).

The atmosphere is still very chill and relaxed. Fliers were being handed out with today's program on it and I heard that another meeting with the university's board of directors is planned for this afternoon.

The only result I heard of from yesterday's meeting with the board of directors is that the students agreed to allow a security guard to stay in the building (with the students) at night. Amazing how there is always money for security guards!

Three bits of news I heard today really emphasize the need for protests against this government:

1. The government wants to implement the plans for fining students who study longer than "normal" retroactively. This means that students that have already started studying will be subject to the new plans, not just students who enroll after the law has been passed. Such a retroactive application of the law does damage to the principle of legal certainty and makes it difficult for citizens to plan their lives. How can you organize your life in a responsible way if the government can always come in and change the rules - retroactively - on you?

2. The government is drawing up plans to abolish the employee status of PhD candidates and turn them into students. This is being done so as to avoid allowing PhD candidates to have workers rights against the universities, to avoid the unionization of PhD candidates and to prevent PhD candidates from building up a pension.

3. The government seems to have agreed to nix the 3000 euro fine on universities for students who take longer than "normal" to graduate. The 3000 euro fine on students is still in the picture. Interestingly, the universities had lobbied the government to impose a 6000 euro fine on students.

The program for today at the occupation is as follows:

• 11:00 “Speculation, food markets and the EU” by Ewout van den Berg.
• 12:00 Discussion “Attack on education from various fronts: The Dutch government, the EU and the university board of directors”.
• 14:15 Discussion & Action meeting “The future of the student protest”, with introduction about the MBO and the occupation in Amsterdam.
• 16:00 “The Dutch role in international weapons trade” by Wendela de Vries (Campaign against weapons trade).
• 17:00 “Plenary meeting" Everyone welcome, come and decide about the occupation.
  
• 18:30 Dinner (for a donation).
• 20:00 Documentary “Berkeley in the sixties”
• Throughout the day: Documentary-marathon with discussions, calm study areas (on the second floor), banner workplace
  

See the website of the Student Action Committee Utrecht (Studenten Actie Commité Utrecht) for more!