Oh dear! we are heading toward disaster. The Mayans may have been wrong, but 2013 isn't an unlucky number for nothing. ITC never had 13 divisions for a reason or otherwise they would have named it number 14. If the advancing flames of the inferno's around our building do not destroy us, UT could take care of it for us. This year it seems likely we will see the announcement of the Mother of all Mergers: UTwente will most definitely go down to three faculties. UT3 that is, to closely correspond to 3TU no doubt. The only fight among Super Deans to be is who will take on the prized ODA mission and inherit the ITC. The faculty formerly known as ITC will probably not put up much of a fight. Big Brother has drained its energy with waves upon waves of bureaucratic impediments.And to be serious, this is not a ridiculous rant of not a blogger, the Dean and his wife have said this to be a plausible future. In their absence this might indeed happen. He "feels our pain", but meanwhile, where is he? He spends "30% of his time at the UT" according to the latest measurement of the Dean. What about the other 70%? Well, considering he has iron-clad-triple-diamond-status on seven international airlines, go figure. His"wife" is of course doing her best to collect as many air miles she can as well.
But perhaps as a new years resolution indeed the Dean and his wife will be more present and more visible this year. This week they already had three public appearances, some of which even included public speech. The new years coffee was a missed opportunity to say some encouraging words of course but at least an understandable one after last year's debacle. Today the Dean's performance was required to properly say goodbye to some of the institutes old furniture. Furniture? Well in a very proper sense, yes. The type of furniture you get used to, that is comfortable, reliable and you rather not want to exchange for a newer more fashionable model. Attachment is the proper word. Trouble is that in this case the furniture wanted to leave, and it will be missed. Already the pedestal of the "Krul" bears the engraving "WD and HB were here"...
Meanwhile ideas are being solicited for the opcoming new ownership and purpose of our building. It seems there is already interest from a consortium of entrepeneurs wanting to start a health and fitness club, a bed and furniture store and a Mongolian grill at 99 H-street.
