We, the student boards of UCU, condemn the decision by the College van Bestuur to sell the Dining Hall to the Dutch Ministry of Defense, as Dining Hall represents an essential building to the social and academic life as well as to the well-being of the students, from UCU and other UU faculties, who make use of its facilities. 

On 02/12/2025, University College Utrecht students and staff were informed that the College van Bestuur (CvB) (head executive board of the UU) is planning on selling the Dining Hall to the Dutch Ministry of Defense, for it to be incorporated into the Kromhout Kazerne. As the elected representative student boards of this campus (University College Student Council, Campus Affairs Representatives, and University College Student Association), we are appalled by this decision for the following reasons. An integral part of the University College Utrecht Liberal Arts and Sciences program is represented by its residential and social aspects, reflected in our higher financial contribution to the university. As described in the UCU Mission Statement: “The existence of a social community (rather than just a ‘student body’) enables students to truly learn together and engage with each other’s perspectives.” As almost all UCU (as well as other UU) social activities take place through Dining Hall, its sale would represent an immeasurable loss. The CvB’s decision is dismantling a huge aspect of the UCU program.  The decision foresees major threats to continuation of the social life on campus i.e. its committees and events, and other essential functions. The Dining Hall, and by extension the BBQ Area and football pitch, host the vast majority of the UCU activities and fosters the sense of community. From the Community Kitchen to the Drama Room, to the Gym and to the Bar, this building houses spaces that are dear to our students. It is also important to note that the Dining Hall Seating Area is the only space on the International Campus Utrecht that can hold over 200 people, which is necessary for large-scale events such as Introweek, symposia, lectures, and Open Day presentations amongst others. The Dining Hall Seating Area and Cafeteria - which is the only catering and communal eating area on campus - is used regularly by our members, as well as UU students and staff, as a meeting place for study and recreation. To see an overview of the spaces with their functions and usage, please see the table below. As the student boards, we do not envision any other building on the ICU to have the capacity to facilitate all of these necessary functions and spaces. Any other proposed alternatives would have to be drastically renovated to be able to accommodate all of the Dining Hall’s purposes. Therefore, we are in strong opposition to the selling of the Dining Hall, as it would drastically hinder the social and academic life of students and detrimentally affect their mental and physical well-being. Reshaping the campus and creating alternative spaces would require a lot of money and resources, and would inevitably lead to several academic and extracurricular activities having to be cut. 

By signing this petition, you: 

 - voice your disapproval  of the CvB’s decision to sell the Dining Hall;
 - call for the CvB to reconsider this decision;
 - call for UCU student representatives to be included in discussions regarding the CvB’s decisions when they impact UCU students, and;
 - call for a guarantee that spaces required for the functions mentioned in this petition to be provided.

Please find here a table with the complete list of uses of Dining Hall.