Of the two Million emails that are sent to a Maastricht University address on a daily basis, about 90% will never make it to their destination - they are spam. Millions of Euros are spent every year to deal with spam emails, and Yahoo! recently introduced their newest idea: Centmail, a virtual stamp which is the only way that an email to a Centmail-account will pass through the spam filter, consequently making the account 100% spam free, while all proceeds go to a charity of the sender’s choice. Would you pay for each email you sent for a spam-free inbox in return?

Last Wednesday was National Sustainability Day. For the occasion, Maastricht University organised a programme with presentations and discussions revolving around the question ‘How green are you?’ Sadly, not many students and employees seemed to care. In the audience at the Randwyck cafeteria were mainly those who are already active in making UM more sustainable. Is it really, to say it in the words of Kermit the Frog, not easy being green?

While the number of overweight people is growing dramatically and the Dutch parliament came to no conclusion at all in its obesity debate last week, this might be the solution: oblige all Dutch university students to take part in a three-hour physical activity class per week. Problem solved. Or not?

Dutch 13-year-old Laura Dekkers’ dream is to sail solo around the world for two years. Even her parents support her. But here’s a problem: child protection officials went to court this week, trying to have the girl put under official guardianship. It would be too risky and disastrous for her social and emotional development.

Flying to America, camping in France or hiking in Britain. Most students are preparing for their holidays. But why should they get to enjoy the Spanish sun or book a three-week stay in Greece? Students don’t need to go on holiday because student life is one big vacation. Right or wrong?

Iranian students and employees at Maastricht University seem eager to voice their opinions on the Iranian elections last week. Many have emailed Observant links to websites with photos and videos of the police beating protesters. So did Ahmadinejad tamper with the votes or not? As one student alleges, “Ahmadinejad and his group hijacked our country.”

Maastricht wants to become a book city. Not least because surveys tell us it is home to the best bookshop in the Netherlands – De Tribune in the Kapoenstraat – and the most beautiful bookshop in the world – Selexyz in the Dominicanerkerkstraat 1. But what about the students, who make up a large proportion of Maastricht’s consumers? Are they true readers, or is the internet their best friend?

Is your rent too high? Not sure? Check via www.huurcommissie.nl and in five minutes you will know if your landlord is honest and fair. If it turns out that you’re paying too much, will you complain? Or is a good and steady relationship with your landlord more important?

On 4 June, the elections for the European Parliament will be held. Billboards are on display around the city to enthuse citizens for this election round. Some Maastricht University students and alumni are themselves running for election as EP members. Aren’t they too young and inexperienced to make a difference among trained politicians?

There will be no merger of Roda JC and Fortuna, the professional football clubs of Kerkrade and Sittard. Lack of money – the local government won’t support them – is the main reason. The fans of the competing clubs must have had a party after this ‘good’ news. Isn’t it somewhat silly and naive to think that two old rivals could make a brand new start together in the Dutch soccer competition?