The operating permit of Villa van Schaeck has not been renewed, which means that, as of yesterday, the premises cannot be used for parties anymore. It could take weeks before the permit is in order. In the meantime, associations have to look for other locations for their activities.

Fun drinks, an event with your fraternity or a big party in Villa van Schaeck? That won’t be the case anytime soon. The operating permit of the building has not been renewed due to a mistake around the application. That is why the white villa on the Van Schaeck Mathonsingel, a sorority of multiple associations, is no longer allowed to serve alcohol as of yesterday. Parties and drinks are therefore no longer permitted for now; meetings can still take place.

Villa van Schaeck is owned by the Stichting Studentenvoorzieningen Nijmegen (SSN), an independent foundation that operates on behalf of Radboud University. The SSN is the successor to what was called the SNUF university foundation until 2017. However, the day-to-day management of the buidling is done by the Villa Board, which consists of students from the different associations that make use of the building. The Villa Board is in close communication with both the university and the SSN.

It is not yet known for how long they are prohibited to serve alcohol; it can take up to eight weeks to get a license application approved. It appears that the Villa Board is in conversation with Radboud University and the Municipality of Nijmegen to get the permit in order in the short term, according to the internal communications from different associations, read by Vox.

Permit expired

The Villa Board is at fault, according to internal emails. They were convinced that the permits were in order, but “only a short time ago, it turned out that a new permit had to be applied for”, as can be read in the emails. The current permit expired yesterday.

The Villa Board did not wish to discuss the issue with Vox. The municipality of Nijmegen, SSN, and the different departments of Radboud University also all declined to comment.

This news came as a bolt from the blue for many associations, who informed their members late last week. They now have to either quickly find alternative locations, or push back their activities to a later date.

Keeping quiet

The associations do not want to share more information about the issue. The board members of Apeliotes (hockey) and Slow (tennis) indicate that they do not wish to comment on the consequences of this matter. Alternative student association Karpe Noktem has not responded to questions that Vox has asked via email. Phocas, who has only used the Villa as a party location since their move, says that their board is currently still discussing the situation.

A member of the Christian student association De Navigators did want to talk to Vox anonymously. ‘We cannot host our drinks in the Villa anymore,’ says the member. ‘That sadly makes us lose our connection a little. But a lot of other activities are thankfully still possible: we can still come together with the fraternities to host meals or Bible Study sessions.’

Translated by Milou Aluy-van der Meij