Cleopatra Algemene Studentenvereniging Groningen
Cleopatra General Student Association Groningen (Dutch: Cleopatra Algemene Studentenvereniging Groningen) is a studentenvereniging (student association) in Groningen, the Netherlands. As of 2025, the association had approximately 500 members.[1]
History
Cleopatra was founded on December 3, 1985.[2] At the time of its founding, all existing student associations were either traditional/conservative, or Christian, or Frisian. Cleopatra emerged from a tutor group of the Economy faculty of Groningen State University. Legend has it that the tutor group initially proposed to name the new association after their tutor, Theo van Uum. Van Uum objected however. It was only at the notary that the founders named it after the ancient politician Cleopatra.
From its beginning, Cleopatra deliberately kept its membership small, so that the association would remain cozy and members could treat one another as equals.[3] In 1989 it had 180 members,[3] and by 1992 it had grown to 230.[4] Even with its current membership of around 500, Cleopatra is much smaller than the traditional student associations Albertus Magnus (approx. 2500 members[5]) and Vindicat atque Polit (over 2000 members[6]).
In 1986, Cleopatra moved into a permanent location on the Reitemakersrijge,[3] but by 1994 there was already a need to find suitable new premises. The newly-formed Groninger student political party Student en Stad included this as one of the key points on its initial agenda.[7] Later in the year, Cleopatra moved into its current location: Kleine Pelsterstraat 5/5a (Groningen), a 15th-century municipal monument.[8] The association extensively renovated parts of the building in 2000.[9]
Mission
Cleopatra intends to be different from other associations. Its main characteristic is the fact that hazing (a compulsory, often abusive introduction period) is forbidden.[3] Openness and equality are the pillars of the association.[1]
Cleopatra is a member of ZEUS (Zusterlijke Eenheid Uit Saamhorigheid "Sisterly Unity Out Of Concord"), a confederation of alternative student associations in other cities. Along with seven other student associations connected to the Rijks Universiteit Groningen and the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Cleopatra also belongs to the representative association Contractus.[10]
Activities
Cleopatra resembles many other student associations in the Netherlands in having various substructures (although with different names) and aiming at enhancing the social contact between its members by organising various leisure time activities. Unlike at some student associations, the regular events and parties at Cleopatra are not mandatory.[11]
The structures include:
- Boats (formalised groups of friends)
- Tribes (introduction groups for new members)
- Committees
- Colleges (special interest groups)
- "Columns" (Zuil, Zeer Uitgebreid Intergratie Lichaam, "Vastly Expanded Integration Body", for various initiatives.
Since 2007, Cleopatra has organised Preipop, a free two-day music festival held every February.[12]
Each year during KEI Week (the introductory week at the start of the academic year in Groningen[13]), Cleopatra members build a façade out of beer crates in front of the association building, to attract attention from new students.[8]
References
- 1 2 "Studentenverenigingen" [Student Associations]. Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (in Dutch). Groningen: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. 20 February 2025. Archived from the original on 14 April 2026. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ "Cleopatra A.S.G." Contractus (in Dutch). Groningen. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Kleine clubs zijn veel studenten gek genoeg" [Small clubs are crazy enough for many students]. Dagblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). Groningen. 19 August 1989. p. 13. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ "Studentenvereniging Cleopatra groeit" [Student Association Cleopatra grows]. Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). Groningen. 7 February 1992. p. 11. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ "R.K.S.V. Albertus Magnus". GroningenLife (in Dutch). Groningen. Archived from the original on 11 April 2026. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ "Vindicat". GroningenLife (in Dutch). Groningen. Archived from the original on 14 May 2026. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ "Student en Stad: gemeente is deel van het probleem" [Student en Stad: municipality is part of the problem]. Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). Groningen. 20 January 1994. p. 13.
- 1 2 "Studentenvereniging Cleopatra trekt ook dit jaar weer veel bekijks met bierkratgevel" [Student association Cleopatra is once again attracting a lot of attention this year with a beer crate facade]. Groninger Internet Courant (in Dutch). 12 August 2020. Archived from the original on 11 March 2026. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ "Studentenvereniging Cleopatra gaat verbouwen" [Cleopatra student association will renovate]. Groninger Internet Courant (in Dutch). Groningen. 8 Jun 2000. Archived from the original on 6 June 2026. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ "An active student life "being part of something"". Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. Groningen: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. 18 December 2025. Archived from the original on 17 February 2026. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ Eline (18 August 2022). "Feesten, borrels en nog meer feesten: hoe is het leven bij een studentenvereniging?" [Parties, drinks and more parties: what is life like at a student association?]. Studenten.com (in Dutch). Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ "Preipop". Poparchief Groningen (in Dutch). Groningen: Groninger Archieven. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ Roos (9 August 2023). "KEI-week voor nieuwe studenten in Groningen" [KEI week for new students in Groningen]. GroningenLife (in Dutch). Groningen. Archived from the original on 14 May 2026. Retrieved 20 August 2026.