New security policy and amended security measures at Campus The Hague
The university is responsible for the safety of over 40,000 people who work, study and visit around 50 buildings in Leiden and The Hague. Find out which security measures are changing and what this means for you.
The security of our buildings and the balance between ensuring the safety of staff and students and keeping the university open and accessible is a matter of concern. Our university security policy has been the subject of much discussion recently, and there are many questions about the security measures in our buildings. We’re keen to provide more clarity about this.
The Executive Board has recently taken measures to create the safest possible work and study environment for our university community.
Also read an interview with Vice-President Timo Kos on the university’s security policy and what lies ahead.
To improve the clarity and transparency of these measures, the university has spent the past months reviewing and updating its security policy. A draft of this Physical Security Framework was discussed with the University Council on 14 July, and their feedback has been incorporated. The revised version will be presented to the Council early next year for advice. It will then be formally adopted by the Executive Board.
Changes to security measures
A key element of the updated safety policy is that we conduct a standard evaluation after incidents and regularly monitor developments in risks and threats. Based on these regular risk assessments, we adjust temporary and permanent security measures as needed. Our guiding principle is to strike the right balance between academic openness and accessibility, and the security measures required to keep everyone safe. In practice, this means minimal measures where possible and scaling up when necessary.
Based on a risk analysis of our current temporary and permanent security measures, the Executive Board is adjusting the measures for the buildings in The Hague as follows:
- On 2 February 2026, the university and several partner institutions – LUMC, Open University, Delft University of Technology and Universities of the Netherlands – is opening the Spui Campus in the centre of The Hague. Because of the building’s location in the centre of The Hague, access gates will be installed at the entrance. These gates will only verify whether someone has a valid card, without storing any data. The Executive Board has decided that, once the campus opens on 2 February, these access gates will operate as follows: they will remain open during the day and will be activated at 18:00 and on weekends, when there is less of a security presence inside and outside the building. This is to prevent possible disturbances and theft of the belongings of students and staff present. In the event of high-risk visits, special events or irregularities in the area, the gates may also be activated during the day. Students and staff should therefore carry their access cards at all times. The first evaluation of this system in the Spui building will take place after six months, or sooner if circumstances require.
- The systematic checking of access cards (LU-Cards) at the entrance to the Wijnhaven building in The Hague will be changed to evening checks as of 1 January 2026, as at the Spui Campus. In the event of specific new indications of security risks, an assessment will be made as to whether temporary card checks are necessary, as is currently the case at other university buildings. This could apply to events with guest speakers or speakers from the university community, external dignitaries or other participants with a high security risk profile. Access gates will also be installed in the Wijnhaven building in due course, and the same regime will apply as outlined above for the Spui Campus.
- The same access control policy will apply to Schouwburgstraat in The Hague as of 1 January 2026.
- The standard deployment of internal and external security guards in the Wijnhaven building and other university buildings will be phased out immediately and fully discontinued by March 2026 at the latest. As above, if there are specific indications of security risks, an assessment will be made as to whether extra security guards or security observers are needed on a temporary basis; for example, when visitors with a high security risk profile are present or expected.
- Furthermore, the tasks and responsibilities of University Services Department staff, such as receptionists, regarding supervision and security have been reviewed and clarified where necessary. These staff members will receive support and training so they can carry out their revised supervisory duties effectively.
Through this updated security policy, the Executive Board aims to provide clarity and explain the difficult choices we face in balancing the openness and accessibility of our buildings with the security needed to keep our students, staff and visitors safe. See also the interview with Vice-President of the Executive Board, Timo Kos.