Photo: Roelof Kleis Sports Centre De Bongerd and the cafeterias on campus are closed due to the corona crisis. Use of the Forum library will be restricted.
This measure has been taken to curb further spreading of the coronavirus on campus. Educational activities have been suspended until further notice and staff is asked to work from home. The executive board announced these measures on Friday.
Henri ten Klooster, director of the sports centre, explains that several different scenarios were considered over the past week. Strict hygiene measures were imposed in the gym, and the management considered cancelling high-risk sports activities.
Transfer
‘High-risk sports are activities that have a higher chance of spreading the disease,’ Ten Klooster explains. ‘Contact sports, for example, but also certain ball sports, where the ball could pass contaminants from one person to the next.’ However, on Thursday evening, the decision was made to close the sports centre entirely after the last exams on Friday.
The exams on Friday fell within the regulations announced by the government. ‘Normally, we would use one sports hall for 450 students. By subdividing the hall into segments, we were able to meet the government’s requirement to limit the number of people per room to a hundred.’ Large numbers of students took part in this last opportunity to sit exams this period.
I am happy that they didn’t cancel the exams. Otherwise, we would have had to study all over again
Iris Leeman
There was some criticism regarding the lack of clarity about the continuation of the exams. ‘I received about five email messages,’ says Bachelor student Nutrition and Health Iris Leeman. ‘But I am happy that they didn’t cancel the exams. Otherwise, we would have had to study all over again.’ She thinks she passed her exam in Advanced Statistics. ‘I think it went quite well.’
Home
Max ten Have, bachelor Biology, thinks he probably passed his Practical Biological Chemistry exams. He too is happy the exams continued. ‘It would have been a waste of our efforts otherwise. But there was a lot of confusion.’ He will go home now and stay there for the time being. ‘If I can’t go to university, I may as well go home. I can follow online courses.’
It would have been a waste of our efforts otherwise. But there was a lot of confusion
Max ten Have
Leemans intends to remain in Wageningen. Her feelings about the whole situation are ambiguous. ‘It’s rather vague. One day, everything appears normal, and then, suddenly, everything changes. No. I’m not afraid. No-one in my social circle is sick, and I am not a high-risk person. The virus is mainly dangerous for the elderly.’
Indefinite
The sports centre will remain closed for an indefinite period, but at least until 6 April, says Ten Klooster. This applies to sports activities, but also other activities such as receptions and gatherings. People with sports rights will be informed by email.
