The ITshop in the Bastille will close its doors on December 31. Over the last couple of years, costs were too high to warrant keeping the shop open. The decision was made to close the shop last June, but the news came out only last week.
The IT shop's three employees will get other positions within the ITBE service. The UT is looking at options to sign contracts via European tenders with external suppliers, maybe even in the 3TU-federation.
Sir Bakx, director of the ITBE service, is disappointed. 'During the reorganization in 2002, when the existence of the shop was discussed, someone said: we should just have such a store at the UT.' But during the last few years the shop was not profitable enough.
The causes are diverse, according to Bakx. 'The ITshop never grew into a unity that regulated the common purchase of ICT-appliances for the UT. The technical faculties mostly had their own means of purchasing goods. Furthermore, the UT did not see the shop as a “strategically important activity,” so we had to keep our belts tight and remain cost effective. It just didn't work anymore. On top of that we see that customers buy their goods online, because those prices are lower.'
Therefore, ITBE put out a statement, to take effect immediately, that no new sales are to be made that have obligations after January 1, 2007. Ongoing obligations will be settled. Monday, October 16 is the start of a clearance sale. With slightly reduced prices and with full guarantees, the inventory will be sold.
`In June when the decision was made to close the shop, the UT immediately started a trajectory for the common purchase of ICT-appliances like PCs, laptops, monitors and printers,' says Bakx. 'I think not only services and faculties should be included, but also individuals like students and employees. That will lead to a maximized turnover and thus to the best possible offer from a trader. Maybe even in the 3TU-federation.'
As long as there's no UT-wide agreement, or master agreement, employees and students can come to ITBE for advice where appliances can be bought. 'We wanted to wait with the announcement for the closing of the master agreement ,but that took too long.'
Bakx says he brought up the problem with the Executive Board that closing the ITshop had on the `pc-privé' arrangement for students. 'One of the conditions of this arrangement was that the PC was bought at the ITshop. Together with the services DiSC and FEZ we're looking at changing the arrangement.'
Dick Meijer, chairman of the University Council, says the news about closure of the ITshop 'came out of thin air' for the Council. 'I knew the shop had financial troubles, but the decision for closure, without any consultation of the Council, surprises me. An important advisory service is gone, a loss for students and employees. The UC wishes it had been included in the decision making.' Meijer wonders whether the closure is a result of the planned reorganization of ITBE. 'We've got questions about that, also about the financial situation. I'm disappointed in the overall approach to the problem - the closure without involving the Council.'
The ITshop prided itself for years on its 'good, independent advice,' with 'quality for a very good price' and a 'no-questions-asked guarantee.' According to Bakx, employees and students will miss the shop's objective guidance and customer service.
Meanwhile, the computer store IAPC, run by students of the study association Inter-Actief, is threatened by closure because it can't find a new board.
Trans. H van Dorp
