Campus & Community

The Real Estate Organization is responsible for the construction, development, and maintenance of all University of Groningen buildings and grounds. These range from the ultra-modern Feringa Building to the iconic Academy Building on Broerstraat. Our team works continuously to design, maintain, and improve the buildings and grounds of the University of Groningen.

Together, we create an inspiring working environment, contribute to a more sustainable and accessible university, and use innovation to optimize our processes and buildings.

Departments

The Real Estate Organization consists of four departments:

Real Estate Management & Maintenance

Real Estate Management & Maintenance is responsible for preventing and resolving building and installation-related problems within the buildings. We use risk-based maintenance to keep our buildings and grounds safe and ready for use.

Real Estate Projects

Real Estate Projects carries out new construction, renovation, and maintenance projects in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and the preconditions set by the University of Groningen organization. The project management team is responsible for controlling risks, budget, planning, and quality.

Real Estate Strategy & Development

Real Estate Strategy & Development looks ahead and, together with the University of Groningen organization, determines the accommodation policy, portfolio policy, and approach to sustainability and optimizing energy consumption. As a strategic discussion partner, the team works on area plans and further development together with its own organization and external parties such as the UMCG, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, the municipality, and the province.

The Business Office

Many processes within the Real Estate Organization start and end at the Business Office. The team takes care of supplier management, data monitoring and analysis, archiving, drawing management, and financial management, thereby supporting the other departments of the Real Estate Organization and the University of Groningen organization.

Contact

• General contact address: secretariaat.vastgoed@rug.nl, communicatie.vastgoed@rug.nl.
• Correspondence and visiting address: Blauwborgje 8, 9747 AC Groningen.
• Department head: Eise Ebbelink.

The Facility Organization assists employees and students of the University of Groningen with everything they need to work and study comfortably. We ensure that the university runs smoothly every day. Whether it concerns cleaning, repairs, catering, or other facilities, we provide a full range of services so that everyone at the university can do their job.

The Facility Organization divides its services across three campuses: the Zernike Campus & Campus Fryslân, the City Centre Campus, and the Healthy Ageing Campus. In addition, the Business Office works on an overarching basis to provide services.

Departments within the campuses

Each of the three campuses is managed by a facility manager, supported by area managers. The following teams are active within the campuses:

Building Management

The Building Management department is responsible for order, cleanliness, and a safe working and studying environment. In addition, the team handles daily facility-related questions and reports and ensures their smooth execution.

Front office

The front office staffs the reception desks and acts as the first point of contact for students, staff, and visitors. The department registers reports and handles immediate facility-related questions.

Back office

The back office focuses on the administrative handling of more complex facility issues and carries out operational supplier management. The team has expertise in areas such as accommodation, events, cleaning, and waste management.

Logistics (Zernike Campus)

The Logistics department is responsible for the HUB/goods reception (including hazardous substances), parcel distribution, mail, and warehouse management at FSE.

Beadle Team (City Centre & Campus Fryslân)

A special role that some colleagues fulfill in addition to their other duties. A beadle accompanies academic ceremonies such as PhD defenses and inaugural lectures.

Facility Organization Business Office

The Facility Organization Business Office supports the three campuses by developing policy, providing advice, and managing facilities processes. In addition, the Facility Organization Business Office acts as a central point of contact for all non-building-related facilities questions. The Facility Organization Business Office is managed by the head of the Facility Organization.

The Business Office consists of the following departments:

Service desk

The service desk handles various facility-related questions and carries out operational supplier management for University-wide services, such as catering, events, travel, flowers, printing, and gifts. In addition, the service desk manages the Facility Portal and collects and analyzes data to support process improvements.

Supplier Management

Supplier management is responsible for managing and optimizing facility contracts, including cleaning, catering, waste, furniture, vending, travel, and relocations. The department advises internal stakeholders and provides support for European tendering processes.

Accommodation management

Accommodation management deals with large and complex accommodation issues and guides the organization in this regard. The department develops the facility accommodation policy, draws up functional programs of requirements within the real estate and facility frameworks, and manages large-scale relocations.

Process coordinator

The process coordinator connects policy, implementation, and systems. Employees in this role set up facility processes, monitor and improve them, and ensure coherence between people, resources, and working methods.

Food & Drinks

The Food & Drinks staff are responsible for food preparation, serving, and hospitality in the University of Groningen's restaurants and coffee corners. These employees are seconded from the external catering supplier.

Contact

• General email addresses: secretariaat.facilitair@rug.nl, communicatie.facilitair@rug.nl, facilitair@rug.nl.
• Correspondence and visiting address: Blauwborgje 8, 9747 AC Groningen.
• Department head: Helga Emmens.

The Community section includes various parts of the University of Groningen that are essential for connecting students and staff. In addition, the Sports Center, University Museum, IShop, Studium Generale, and Usva contribute to lively campuses. Community thus offers places and activities where students and staff can meet and develop themselves in areas other than their studies and work.

The following departments are part of Community:

Usva

The Usva Cultural Student Centre organizes a wide range of cultural activities for students, such as mindfulness workshops, theater performances, and music lessons.

Studium Generale

Studium Generale brings science, art, and culture together through lectures, discussions, and stage programs.

University Museum

The University Museum is the official museum of the university, with a permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. The museum preserves the historic study of Aletta Jacobs. And in its depot, the university preserves a rich collection that showcases the academic history of the university.

ACLO Sports Centre

The ACLO Sports Centre offers various sports facilities, such as sports halls, courses, and a fitness room. Students* can practice a variety of sports there, from basketball to kickboxing.

*Did you know that employees can also exercise through SPR Sport?

IShop

Students, staff, and other visitors can visit the IShop for UG merchandise, fun gadgets, and general questions about the University of Groningen.

Contact

• General contact address: directiesecretariaat.campus-community rug.nl.
• Correspondence and visiting address: Community, Blauwborgje 8, 9747 AC Groningen.
• Department head: Hendrike Schut.

Cluster Support is the support department within Campus & Community that ensures the smooth and efficient operation of the cluster, allowing Campus & Community employees to focus on their core activities. The Physical Security Organization (FBO), Documentary Information Provision (DIV), and Facility Support also belong to this department.

Secretariat

The Campus & Community secretariat is responsible for administration and coordination within the cluster. They organize meetings, manage agendas and minutes, and support the cluster director. They also maintain contact with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that day-to-day operations run efficiently.

Communication

The Communication department ensures clear and consistent information transfer within and outside the cluster. In particular, they develop communication strategies for the Real Estate Organization and the Facility Organization, coordinate internal and external communications, and ensure that employees, students, and other stakeholders are informed correctly and in a timely manner. This keeps everyone involved and aware of important developments.

Project Leaders

The Project Leaders team is responsible for initiating, managing, and completing cluster-wide projects. They work on a variety of initiatives, such as tenders, sustainability projects, or new facilities. They ensure that these projects are carried out on time, within budget, and in accordance with quality requirements.

Quality & Information

The Quality & Information department guarantees the quality, privacy, and security of our processes and data. They continuously analyze and optimize our internal working methods, with an eye for GDPR compliance and data security, and ensure that our services meet the needs of employees and students. This keeps our systems reliable, efficient, and secure.

Physical Security Organization

The Physical Security Organization (FBO) develops security policy and oversees its implementation. They also facilitate the company emergency response organization and provide advice on health and safety issues. With control room staff and prevention coordinators, the FBO ensures a safe environment, from access security to emergency response organization. If you have any questions or reports, please contact fbo@rug.nl or, in case of emergency, the Central Control Room (050-363 8050).

Facility Support

Facility Support offers specialized support in the field of facility services, such as cleaning, maintenance, and logistics. The team helps to ensure that the campuses and buildings remain functional and pleasant to use. Many employees within Facility Support have permanent, long-term jobs. In addition, there are colleagues who gain work experience here and can progress to a permanent, future position. They are given the opportunity to develop their talents and thus make an important contribution to the university. Facility Support also offers various vocational training programs and work-study programmes that are fully tailored to the needs of the university.

Documentary Information Services

Employees of Documentary Information Services (DIV) manage the University of Groningen's information provision, from physical archives in the depot on the Zernike Campus to the enormous flow of digital information. By digitally archiving, working, and destroying, DIV shapes the entire life cycle of information: for greater efficiency, clarity, and compliance. Good information management prevents duplication of work, ensures that information can be retrieved quickly, complies with legal obligations such as the GDPR and the Public Records Act, and simplifies future management.

Through the collaboration between these departments, Cluster Support ensures a well-organized, safe, and inspiring campus environment. Their work enables Campus & Community to function optimally, so that everyone can focus on what really matters: education, research, and community building.

Contact

• General email addresses: directiesecretariaat.campus-community@rug.nl.
• Postal and visiting address: Clustersupport, Blauwborgje 8, 9747 AC Groningen.
• Head of department: Roelf Pieter Datema.