Pop-up study spaces in Stadsgehoorzaal
Students from Leiden University will be able to study in the Stadsgehoorzaal on Breestraat in Leiden from Saturday 5 to Tuesday 15 December. The main auditorium of this city centre concert hall has been transformed into a unique pop-up study area that will provide temporary study spaces for over 200 students.
The project is the result of collaboration between the University, the Stadsgehoorzaal, the Municipality of Leiden and the students from the Local Chamber of Associations (PKvV). The extra study spaces will meet the needs of students who will start their exams on 14 December. This is a time when students are in particular need of good study spaces. It goes without saying that students must follow all the safety rules. See below for more details.
Extra study spaces in Gorlaeus too
The University usually has plenty of study spaces, but at present fewer are available than normal because of the coronavirus measures and distancing rules. At the moment there are over 1,860 study spaces in the University libraries that students can book. To provide extra study spaces for students just before the exams, the University has also created an additional 125 temporary spaces in the restaurant of the Gorlaeus building on Einsteinweg. Students will be able to study there from Monday 30 November.
Collaboration between education and culture
Vice-Chairman of the University Martijn Ridderbos explains: ‘Many students are finding life difficult at the moment. This makes it doubly important to have pleasant, quiet study spaces where they can study “together” safely. The pop-up study spaces in the Stadsgehoorzaal are a great example of what can be achieved if we work together with the Stadsgehoorzaal, the Municipality and our students.’
Alderman Paul Dirkse (Knowledge and Education): ‘In these times of coronavirus restrictions, we at the Municipality are looking to offer our citizens a perspective: we’re looking for what is rather than what isn’t possible. The Stadsgehoorzaal may not be able to play to a full house, but fortunately it can still be of great value to the city. It’s a great example of collaboration in our city of knowledge and culture.’
Response from student associations
PKvV Chair Sammy Steenvoorden: ‘We’re really pleased with this extra study facility in such a great city centre location. The timing just before the exams is perfect and we hope that lots of students will make glad use of it. The student associations are also organising extra study spaces within the associations.’
Booking a space
From 4 December, students will be able to book a study space at the Stadsgehoorzaal via SharedDesk. To do so, log in with your ULCN account, select a location and reserve a space.
The coronavirus rules for the University buildings also apply to the Stadsgehoorzaal. The University has introduced safety measures to protect our students and staff and prevent the spread of the virus. For more information see the Campus Protocol.
- Before leaving home do the Corona Check to see whether you may come to the study space.
- Don’t arrive more than 15 minutes before your time slot. Leave the building immediately after your slot is over.
- You will find the number of the study space on the table.