On Monday 28 November, an occupation took place at the Sanders Building on Woudestein campus by action group OccupyEur. The Executive Board of Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) initially set two conditions. Teaching and research must continue unhindered, and the safety of staff and students must never be compromised. Eventually, this occupation was ended on Monday evening for security reasons.
The Executive Board of EUR wants to stress that it will continue to maintain an open dialogue on sustainability, also with the activists. "As part of our strategy, in which this issue plays a major role, we are very active in integrating sustainability into all layers of the organisation. We will schedule a moment with them in the near future," said Ed Brinksma, chairman Executive Board.
The police ended the occupation on Monday evening. Ed Brinksma: "During Monday afternoon, we received information from very reliable sources that we could no longer guarantee the safety of our staff, students and the protesters on our campus. This threat was initially external."
On the advice and in the presence of the police, the 50 or so activists, some of whom did not appear to have a EUR background, were kindly asked to leave the building. The majority did so, without coercion or pressure. A small group of activists refused - after several requests - to leave the premises; the police then took over and escorted them outside.
Update - Monday 28 November 19:00
During the afternoon, we have received information from very reliable sources that makes us unable to guarantee the safety of our staff, students and the protesters on our campus any longer. The occupation is therefore terminated, and we will have to search in consultation for a way to still have the dialogue.
We stress that we too consider a sustainable society of paramount importance. As part of our strategy, in which this theme plays a major role, we are very active in implementing sustainability in all layers of the organisation.
Article Monday morning 28 November
On Monday morning, 28 November, activists started an occupation at a building on the campus of Erasmus University Rotterdam. The group of activists call themselves Occupy EUR (End Fossil Occupy movement). The Executive Board understands the group's motives, and in principle is happy to engage in dialogue.
As far as we understand, the group of activists consists of students concerned about the climate and the future. Erasmus University Rotterdam shares those concerns. Ed Brinksma, chairman of the Executive Board: "The university takes its responsibility in this regard and has been actively implementing sustainability in all layers of the organisation for some time, through various initiatives. We hope the activists are prepared for an open dialogue and that teaching and research on campus will not be hindered."