This year, much attention went to the alternative program of Intro Week, the Tangent Track, where alcohol and music are not at the center, but the social aspect is. Last year, a few low-key activities were introduced under the name Tranquilo Track. This year, the organization expanded that into a full-fledged parallel program.
During the introduction week, the atmosphere was relaxed. For example, the confidential advisors for students received fewer reports compared to previous years. In general, fewer students seemed to attend the activities throughout the week. This has led to the idea that the Intro is becoming quieter each year.
I see it as a sign that what we offer matches the needs of the students
Split up
The figures from the CIC tell a different story. This year, 2,100 first-year students participated in Intro week, proportionally around the same amount as last year. According to Intro project manager Roeland Schelfhout, the fact that it may have seemed less crowded, was mainly due to first-years being spread out over different program elements, including the Tangent Track.
Another explanation, according to Schelfhout, is that the Master Kick-Off was once again separated from the bachelor Intro. For master’s students, things were anything but quiet this year: more than 900 students joined in all parts of the program. Schelfhout: “I see it as a sign that what we offer matches the needs of the students.”
Alternative program
Those needs are changing, and CIC is responding with an alternative program, this year called Tangent Track. It is expected to grow further in the coming years. Schelfhout: “It will gradually take on a more prominent role within the program.” That does not mean the parties will disappear, he reassures. “We make sure everyone feels welcome and that students can connect over what they enjoy doing together. That is the most important thing.”
How the Intro develops in the coming years will depend on the composition of the participant group, Schelfhout explains. “If more and more international students join, that will influence the program.” Many international students want to get the most out of their studies in a short period of time, he notices. “That’s different from how many Dutch students view their studies: often also as a time for personal development. For them, partying and other extracurricular activities are usually part of the package.”
In five years, there won’t be an alternative track anymore. It will simply be one big menu of choices
Glorified Drinking Party
Lara Hofstra, Student Diversity Officer, has been hearing from students for the past ten years that they skip the intro week because it has a reputation as a “glorified drinking party.” She herself was closely involved in last year’s alternative track. According to her, also more and more Dutch students are opting out of a week-long party scene, often due to academic pressure.
The fact that a calmer alternative is now fully integrated into the official Intro program is exactly what Hofstra has been hoping for for years. “The intro now really emphasizes the activities offered by the university community throughout the year. The CIC team has done a great job making that visible,” she says.
Hofstra advocates for TU/e to promote the alternative program more broadly to high school students, for example through the Pre TU/e program. “So that we can make it clear even earlier that these options exist,” she says. She also predicts: “In five years, there will be no alternative track anymore. It will just be one big menu of choices.”
Thousand-liter parties
The general student associations in Eindhoven have noticed little difference compared to previous years. The parties at their societies were once again packed, especially during the thousand-liter parties, where one thousand liters of free beer awaited the students.
Demos joined the alternative program for the first time, offering several creative workshops. That turned out to be a success. Chair Deen Slenter (22): “Normally we can only offer parties. This time we were able to give students that cozy living-room vibe that Demos is also about. So in fact, we gave more students a great Intro than in previous years.”
SSRE did not participate in the Tangent Track, says chair Sam Bronckers. “We needed all hands to run the ‘regular’ intro activities. There was no time left for that, but we’ll look into it for next year.”
Both chairs are positive about the space for lower-stimulation activities during the Intro. Yet celebrating together as a student association is still what they enjoy most.
Cursor’s poll
Cursor asked its Instagram followers whether they supported an Intro with alcohol and parties. Of the 471 votes, 79 percent said parties and alcohol should be included, 12 percent preferred an alcohol-free Intro week, and 42 respondents had no clear opinion.
This article was translated using AI-assisted tools and reviewed by an editor.
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