Study association XP has no office space at Saxion: "The door remains closed, literally and figuratively"

The only study association at Saxion without its own space, is how Joris Kok describes his relatively new study association XP. They are growing fast, now reaching approximately 250 members. But they don't have a place to meet. At least, not at Saxion. So they rent a space four blocks away. Founder and former chairman Joris Kok: "We had to do something."

In December 2021, the study association for the study Creative Media and Game Technologies (CMGT) was founded. At that time, the rapidly growing study course in Enschede moved from location Epy Drost to Ariënsplein. Founder and president of XP, Joris Kok, saw things going wrong even then: "We were not included in the registration of rooms." That is still unresolved: a year and a half later, XP is still without space, at Saxion anyway.

XP arranged a room to host their members the former VVV-building at Stationsplein: WARP Technopolis. According to Joris, this was never intended to be the headquarters. "But we had to do something." A purple-colored wall, flags on the ceiling and a closet full of games: the members put effort into decorating the space.

Yes, there are also advantages to having home away from the Saxion grounds. Joris: "We can do whatever we want here, without taking Saxion's closing times into account. We have a microwave oven and a 3D printer. We also organize events and parties here."

Still, there are more disadvantages than advantages. The accessibility, for example: to get into the XP office, you first have to go through a maze of corridors and stairs. "In addition, we have no set opening hours and so we always have to consult among our members if someone is there." It is also uncertain each year whether they can stay in the building since there are demolition plans. "It now looks as if we will have to move out at the end of the year," says Joris.

Taco van Loon, team leader CMGT, also sees the problem. "XP plays an important role in community building within CMGT, and that is quite difficult if you are four streets away." According to him, it is essential for a study association to have its own space within the school. Whether they are actually entitled to it, he does not have the confidence to say.

A year ago, a request was already made - and rejected - for a 12-square-meter space in the CMGT department. The space in question was conference room Z15.1.07, managed by the academy School of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (SCE). Joris does not understand this rejection: "In the past two years, I have hardly seen anyone there." The reason for the rejection is that next year SCE will be entirely located at Ariënsplein, and this space will be the base of operations for teachers from that academy.

hok — Room Z15.1.07, where, according to Joris, hardly anyone is present

According to Van Loon, Saxion is in a difficult position: "On the one hand you have the shrinkage and budget cuts, and on the other hand the growth of the study program. The occupancy of the rooms turns out to be a problem. The fact is that spaces are often empty, but cannot or should not be used."

According to him, there were even discussions about whether a teachers' room could be sacrificed. "As an academy, we have to facilitate a space, but that becomes difficult when you keep being told no. That is the result of policy making. It seems that the door remains closed, literally and figuratively."

According to spokesperson Karin Effing, no application was made for a space at Ariënsplein location for study association XP prior to the program's move. "As a result, there is currently no space available for them. Afterwards, attempts were made to still find a space within Ariënsplein, but unfortunately that has not been successful to this day." According to Effing, the Facilities Service Organization is currently working with the academy to see if the study association can get a space in the near future.