A new company logo, more thematic program sections, more communication via social media such as Facebook and Twitter; Studium Generale will be carrying through a number of changes these coming months in hopes of connecting better with its main target group: students. In addition, the bureau wants to get a better view of the public attending its activities - also by charging an entrance fee to non-students for the cultural programs. This does not refer to the lectures, SG head dr. Lucas Asselbergs emphasizes, but activities such as the ‘Yes Jazz’ nights at the Gaslab: “They always attract quite a number of people, but we actually have no clear idea as to who is actually in the house. Once non-students have to pay, students will identify themselves more easily and we get a better view of the audience”.

Asselbergs is not afraid that his bureau will burn its fingers by making part of the audience pay admission fees. “Employees often react amazed at present when hearing that an activity is free and wonder whether that does not imply a devaluation of our program. I’m convinced that a staff member or a visitor from outside the university is perfectly willing to pay a couple of euros.” Moreover, he emphasizes, admission fees will always still be considerably lower than those for similar nights elsewhere in the city. SG will evaluate the measure after a year.

Gaslab refurbished
The Gaslab in the TU/e grounds will be refurbished during the summer holidays, one novelty being a new, more open entrance. “The Gaslab is a fantastic experimental podium, but now you get the feeling that you are entering a kind of ‘cave’. The building must radiate more emphatically that it is a trendy podium and must be given a more open nature.” Asselbergs also thinks it would be a good thing if the Gaslab is used (even) more often, also by parties other than SG, which manages the building. Cultural contents and a link with TU/e are preconditions within this context, though. (MvdV)/.