SDU closes reflection room permanently

After five months of temporary closure, the board of directors at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) has decided to close its reflection room permanently. The decision follows a number of enquiries and meetings with students, citizens, and interest groups. The board has concluded that “it is not the University’s responsibility to provide a dedicated space for individual contemplation or reflection.” This was announced on SDU’s website.

Back in February, SDU’s board had stated that the room was being closed temporarily because it had been furnished with items that did not appear neutral, which was a prerequisite for the establishment of the room.

Danish government party wants to ban quiet rooms at universities - AU has four already and is planning to open another one

AU still offers five quiet rooms 

Since then, the issue of contemplation rooms, reflection rooms, quiet rooms, and prayer rooms at universities has sparked intense political debate. Among those who have weighed in are Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Minister for Immigration and Integration Kaare Dybvad Bek (Social Democrats), and the Social Democrats’ spokesperson on immigration and integration, Frederik Vad (in Danish). All of them have made it clear that they would like to see such rooms removed from universities.

The Prime Minister doesn't want 'prayer rooms' at universities, but how about AU’s 'quiet rooms'?

Despite the ongoing debate, Aarhus University still offers five quiet rooms. They are located in the Student House, Building 1264 at Health, DPU in Emdrup, Katrinebjerg, and Navitas.

This text is machine translated and post-edited by Cecillia Jensen