Put together two Presidents of the student union AKKU, and you get a dialogue about student activism today – and drinking beer in the office.

Joost Heilbron (surprised): ‘The office hasn’t changed at all! The same kind of people, the same activists lounging around, and it’s still more of a mess than you’d expect in an office.’

Miranda van de Burgt: ‘And we really did our best to clean up!’

JH: ‘We used to do that too, but it was even more of a mess in those days.’

MvdB: ‘The office has to be a place where you can work efficiently, but also eat your grilled sandwich or bowl of noodles, or have a beer. A mix of conviviality and ‘working our ass off’ when needed.’

‘Guys, when are you going to wake up?’

JH: ‘That’s the dilemma you face as a student union. You want to make optimal use of your time, but also create a comfortable space for students to enjoy their sandwiches. The same is true of your work for the board: you have to be able to talk to important people, as well as hang out with activists until the small hours.’

MvdB: ‘All members have to know your face. Our board members are putting in so much time and effort, while everyone is just busy studying, that’s something I’m really grateful for.’

JH: ‘It’s increasingly amazing that there are still activists around. Since the 1990s, there have only been cuts in higher education and student facilities. Every time it makes you realise: shit, we’ve been screwed over again.’

MvdB: ‘For me it would also probably be smarter to complete my degree and get a job. But I can’t accept the fact that so many students are suffering from these measures and that education is becoming less and less accessible.’

JH: ‘If you’re afraid to take out a student loan, you might end up not studying at all. And not get so far in life as a result.’

MvdB: ‘And have less chance on the labour market. These days we also organise actions on behalf of the lecturers. In the old days, it used to be mostly against the lecturers, I think.’

JH: ‘It depends where the counter-pressure came from. If it came from the government, then we formed a unified front with the whole university. But if it was about the binding study advice, then we were suddenly against the Executive Board. That felt more like fighting the grown-ups. Ha ha.’

MvdB: ‘We often talk about whether we can count on student militancy. Were they more militant in your day? Because I’m involved in AKKU, I clearly have an opinion about it. I think: Come on guys, when are you going to wake up? Let your voices be heard.’

JH: ‘You don’t have to put up with all the shit thrown your way.’

MvdB: ‘Exactly! I’ve spoken to lots of students about the WOinActie demonstration, back in December. Everyone said: ‘How cool that you’re doing this!’ But they weren’t actually planning to come, because they had deadlines.’

JH: ‘That was always the case. You always have the feeling that students aren’t interested. Clearly, that’s not true, they simply have other priorities that are just as easy to justify.’

MvdB: ‘I do notice that interest is growing. Lots of students who didn’t attend the December demonstration now say they wish they had. And they ask how they can help prepare for the action week and the strike in March.’

JH: ‘Well, there you go, that sounds very hopeful!’