• Intro , Student

Participants in upcoming Intro will be able to sleep in

In response to the evaluation of last year’s Introduction Week, the Central Introduction Committee (CIC) will be handling a number of things differently from now on. The most important changes are: the joint breakfast will be skipped and the program will start at 11 AM, the University Tour and Business Case will be replaced by a Campus Quest, and the City Tour will have choice options.

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Experience in previous Introduction Weeks shows that many students were often late for the first scheduled activities of the day. “We understand students go to bed late and it’s a tiring experience. That’s why we feel it’s better to start the program a few hours later,” says CIC member Sanne ten Damme. This means the Campus Market and the City Tour will be shortened, but according to Ten Damme that’s actually an improvement. “Students thought those things took a bit long anyway.”

Scavenger hunt

A new feature of the Introduction Week for future students will be the Campus Quest. It’s an activity that brings together the best of the Business Case and the University Tour, where visits are paid to various relevant organizations. “The evaluation showed that the business cases were deemed a bit boring and the presentations at the different facilities didn’t really stick. This part of the program was definitely in need of an overhaul.”

This time around, the 2,500 students (and their mentors) will have to strike out in groups on Monday afternoon to engage in short activities at facilities such as innoSpace, the library, the sports center, the Zwarte Doos and Cursor. In so doing, they’ll collect building materials that must be used to create something later on, at the study association of their future program. This involves a competitive element, because the day after all groups will have to show each other that their product is the best. “This is an effort to grant the wish of also getting to know other groups at the same department,” says Ten Damme.

 
Central Intro Committee 2024. Photo | Michel ten Cate
City Tour

The day when the Intro participants get to know Eindhoven through the City Tour will have a slightly different setup this year. “Before, every group walked a fixed route, but it occurred that groups deviated from this without informing the locations that were expecting them. Now, we’ll make visits to three locations mandatory for each Intro group, allowing them to decide for themselves which museums, churches, student associations, or music halls they want to pay additional visits to. What will be the same is the start: at the PSV football stadium. And yes, this won’t be until 11 AM.

Tranquilo Track

At the last Intro, there was a low stimulus alternative for the student parties, in the form of a game night. This will now be extended into all four the evenings. The ‘low impulse program’, which has been named Tranquilo Track, is for students who don’t like crowds or need a moment of peace. “It’s very informal; you won’t have to indicate in advance which night you want to take it slow. You can even switch per hour. The exact program will be fleshed out by CIC in the time ahead.”

One thing that’s clear already, is that arriving on Monday morning can also be done relatively peacefully. “We’ll create a ‘low impulse route’ across the other Dommel bridge (just north of the Limbopad, ed.) so Intro participants can avoid the noise and any pushy student associations.” The student associations that will be on the low impulse route will provide a peaceful and warm welcome.

Stickers that student associations use to promote themselves on the Limbopad disappeared a while ago, but flyers and other goodies will also be banned as of this year. In all its communications to participants, the CIC is drawing attention to TU/e’s sustainable event policy.

Cheaper

There won’t be an expensive closing party on Friday afternoon. The CIC is trying to make the participation costs for students lower than last year, when TU/e had the most expensive Introduction Week in all of the Netherlands (EUR 140 PP). “The last thing we want is for students not to take part because of financial reasons.” Instead of the party, there will be a gezellige joint brunch to close off the week in style.

The Wednesday after the Intro, August 28, the municipality of Eindhoven will join forces with the bars in town to host an Intro party in Stadhuisplein for students of Summa College, St. Lucas, Fontys University of Applied Sciences and TU/e.

Intro activities that have proven successful will continue unchanged. These include the Campus Market and the workshops at all kinds of sports (and other) associations. The CIC will also deck out a container – with rooftop terrace – as its headquarters again. The 2024 Intro will take place from August 19 thru August 23.

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