| Roosevelt Academy | |
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| Motto: | The Future Belongs to Those who Believe in the Beauty of Their Dreams (Eleanor Roosevelt) |
| Established | 2004 |
| Type: | Liberal arts college |
| Dean: | Prof. Hans Adriaansens |
| Faculty: | 50 |
| Students: | 600 |
| Location |  Middelburg, Netherlands |
| Campus: | Urban |
| Colours: | Red and Gold |
| Affiliations: | Utrecht University |
| Website: | www.roac.nl |
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Roosevelt Academy is a small liberal arts college located in Middelburg in the Netherlands. It offers a residential setting and is an international honors college of Utrecht University.
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History
In 1575, William of Orange was about to found the first university in the Netherlands, the choice was between the cities of Leiden and Middelburg, it became the University of Leiden and Middelburg missed out. However, centuries later, Middelburg would still get its university in the form of the Roosevelt Academy. Founder Professor Hans Adriaansens, unhappy with the undemanding and large scale climate of university education in the Netherlands, started developing the idea of a small scale and academically intensive undergraduate college in the Netherlands. This resulted in University College Utrecht in 1998 and in the Roosevelt Academy in 2004. The Roosevelt Academy was officially founded on February the 1st 2004 and the first students enrolled in August of that year after Queen Beatrix performed the official opening of the university.
Admissions
The academy admits 200 students each academic year. Approximately two-thirds are Dutch and the remaining third come from a wide number of countries. The Roosevelt Academy is seen by many outsiders as an elitist college for the rich; however, tuition is not any higher than any other university in the Netherlands. An article in a well-known Dutch newspaper made similar accusations but, after investigation, the newspaper soon admitted it had made a mistake.
Academics
Students in the college study a wide variety of courses spanning four different subject areas: Academic Core, Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences and the Sciences, thus giving students both breadth and depth. After three years of successful study at Roosevelt Academy students are awarded a Utrecht University Honors BA or BSc degree. After Roosevelt Academy, many students continue their studies at renowned universities all around the world. Students at Roosevelt Academy can take courses in the following fields:
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Arts & Humanities
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Social Science |
Science |
Academic Core |
Rankings
In 2005 and again in 2007 , the influential magazine Elsevier ranked the Roosevelt Academy as 1st of liberal arts colleges in the Netherlands, its score was also higher than that of any regular university in the Netherlands. It should be noted however that, like any other university ranking, the ranking is highly subjective.
| 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | |
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| Elsevier Ranking of Dutch University Colleges | 1st | 2nd | 1st |
Exchange Program
During the second semester of their second year at RA or the first semester of their final year, students have the opportunity to take part in an international exchange program. This way students can study abroad for a semester while earning credits that will count towards their RA degree. Students can go to a wide variety of universities around the world. Options include locations such as the University of California through the Utrecht University exchange network, but also the Honors Program at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Glendon College in Toronto and Vesalius College in Brussels.
Campus
Academic Buildings
Roosevelt Academy's academic center is situated near the market square in the heart of Middelburg. This includes the medieval city hall which, built in 1452, is Roosevelt Academy's main building. The non-gothic part is known as the Franklin building. The Theodore Building, often referred to as the Helm, is next to the city hall and the Eleanor building. These buildings house all classrooms, computer labs, faculty and administration offices. The Roosevelt Academy Graduate School of Music will be housed in the Kloveniersdoelen building.
Residence Halls
Almost all students live at one of the residential halls: the Bagijnhof, the Roggeveenhof, and the Koestraat. These Halls house between 100-200 students each and are spread throughout the inner city, all close to Roosevelt Academy's academic buildings. As the Roosevelt Academy grows, more buildings in the city center are being refurbished for student housing.
Library and Bookstore
Roosevelt Academy's official academic bookstore is De Drvkkery, located at the market square. Furthermore, students have full access to the Zeeland Library, which is the biggest library in the province. Moreover, students can use the digital library of Utrecht University.
Student Organizations
RASA
The Roosevelt Academy Student Association or RASA officially represents the non-academic life of its members. RASA plays a central role in campus life. It has its own bar, and organizes a wide variety of things, from parties and sports to religious practises and philosophy meetings.
AAC
The Academic Affairs Council (AAC) represents the students in academic matters. It engages in dialogue with fellow students and faculty to deal with complaints and suggestions concerning offered courses.
HAC
The Housing Affairs Council (HAC) represents students in negotiations with the housing corporation and is the contact body for students for all matters that concern the campus.
Aurora
Aurora is the alumni association of the Roosevelt Academy. It publishes a quarterly newsletter named Radar and organizes events and reunions.
Traditions
Traditions at the Roosevelt Academy include the Opening of the Academic Year held every year in Middelburg's New Church and the Dies Natalis, the annual celebration of the founding of the college. Weather permitting, the procession of Notables, Professors and university instructors can be seen walking from the Stadhuis to Middelburg's New Church where the official ceremonies are held. Other traditions are the yearly King of the Channel rowing race against the Hogeschool Zeeland, and the University College Debate Tournament against University College Maastricht and University College Utrecht among others. Many famous people have given lectures at the Roosevelt Academy, recently these have included ministers Rita Verdonk, Ben Bot, Atzo Nicolaï and former prime minister Dries van Agt. An interesting fact is that Saint Nicholas, better known as Sinterklaas, has been named special honorary visiting fellow to the Roosevelt Academy. Ad Astra, the Roosevelt Academy Undergraduate Journal, is a journal that is published yearly by the Roosevelt Academy.
Athletics
The RASA Sports Committee organizes various sport activities for the students. Roosevelt Academy currently has a men and womens's rowing crew and students practice field hockey, soccer, fencing and basketball together.
Costs
Currently, the school charges the same fees for Dutch, EU and non EU students. They are the same as in every other university in the Netherlands: € 1,519.00 (RASA contribution not included, which is €50,-). Campus housing costs are about 310-400 euro a month, this includes internet, electricity, water etc. All costs included, studying one year at Roosevelt Academy will cost a student about 8,000 euro. In exceptional cases Roosevelt Academy gives scholarships, mainly to students from Eastern Europe and South America.
External links
- Roosevelt Academy
- Official Website of Roosevelt Academy
- Roosevelt Academy Student Association
- Roosevelt Academy Student Radio
- De Drvkkery, Roosevelt Academy Bookstore
- The Roosevelt Scholarship
- Other
