The Capitol is located one kilometers away from campus. In other words, three minutes by car, five minutes by bike or on foot fifteen minutes from the UT. Anyone who drives into the parking lot on a random weekday morning - which is located behind the main entrance of the large office building - is more likely to get choice stress than worry about finding a spot. Parking is easy here, but just walking into the building – just like in the Cubicus – is not an option in the Capitol. Ringing the doorbell first, smiling at the camera and indicating who you are coming for is the right order to get through the obstacle of sliding doors.
No Capitol storming
Once inside, behind the service desk is desk employee Elke Strijkert. In the Cubicus, she saw many students walking by every day, trudging along or walking fast with a little more haste. In the Capitol, that picture is different. 'I don't see or hear any students here, because there aren't any in the Capitol. I miss the students the most, as well as the excitement they bring.' And if one comes by for an appointment every so often, a different method is involved. 'Everyone has to ring the bell at the sliding doors for access. That makes the contact with people different. For example, it is annoying if someone is not present at the service desk for a while. Then colleagues in the surrounding offices have to be alert and open the door.'
Leo Keekstra works in one of those offices. The internal service employee is satisfied with the quiet and spacious workplace where he has been since last August. 'At the beginning of the move, there was a lot of noise and some complaining here and there among colleagues. But compared to the Cubicus, the workplaces and offices in the Capitol are closer together. We now also have a canteen. We didn't have that luxury in the Cubicus. That together now creates more contact and a stronger bond,' says Keekstra. Strijkert agrees: 'In the Capitol, colleagues see each other more often than in the Cubicus, so we speak to each other more.'
Less connection with the UT
Despite the fact that Keekstra is positive, he feels less connection with the UT. 'Of course, it's a shame that we don't work on campus. We therefore do not always know what is going on at the UT. For example, you will come across all kinds of signs with planned activities. They are not present here. Just like the students, because of this there is much less movement. And in the end, the student is what we do it all for.'
Strijkert sees the positive side and looks forward with enthusiasm to the return to the Cubicus. "It's temporary that we work in the Capitol. The drawings of the renovation look beautiful. It will be very beautiful, warm and cozy. It reminds me of Langezijds' style.'
The Broodbode is sacred
The staff of the BMS faculty is spread over three floors. The departments are judged by the staff to be sterile or neutral. If you stroll through the corridors on the first floor, you can meet PhD students Nick Goossen and Amber van Kampen in one of the many offices. The two are satisfied with their workplace. 'The atmosphere in the Cubicus was more informal. Here we are with more people in one room,' says Goossen. Van Kampen complements her colleague: 'In the beginning it took some getting used to. But we have now found our way. I think it's a great place to work. But I do miss my coffee moments with colleagues from other departments.'
In one of the other corners of the department is management assistant Jasmine van der Weerd. She calls her new workplace an improvement. 'I was hidden on the third floor in the boxy Cubicus. My current place is an open space, which makes me more visible. It ensures more traffic and appeal. That makes it a lot more pleasant.' A few offices away, the employees are enthusiastic about the new offices and the good connection with public transport at the Kennispark. Yet they mainly complain about the lack of fresh air. "Not a single window can be opened in our office."
Goossen and Van Kampen are also enthusiastic about their temporary accommodation for another reason. Van Kampen: 'The Broodbode is just around the corner and the spring rolls in the area have also been approved.' Colleague Goossen fully agrees: 'The Broodbode is a regular fixture almost every break.'
Corona time
Annemarie Braakman, assistant professor, notices that especially the young people in the department think it is a nice place. Working in the Capitol reminds her mainly of a time she would rather leave behind. 'It's like working in the covid time, because it feels like we've been cut loose from the campus. A lot of contact is lost and that's why I miss the dynamics with students the most.'
To create more atmosphere in her shared office - which she calls 'the fishbowl' because of all the glass - Braakman has decorated it with plants and blinds. 'The building is good and has everything, but in my opinion it is too corporate. Because the rooms are noisy, I prefer to work from home on certain days. In addition, it can be difficult if my colleague – with whom I share the space – and I are expecting visitors at the same time.' Braakman already has an idea of which building she thinks needs a renovation. 'I have already warned colleagues of the Zilverling: 'You are next'.
