ULB campus

The ULB campus in Ixelles is characterized by a number of key places, each one representing specific feelings and experiences for students. Though it is difficult to define a university’s goals as profit-oriented, people’s reactions can be related to behavioral studies about marketing.

To be concrete, students are looking for a pleasant -or, at least, appropriate- experience through the infrastructures they are offered, either for studying activities, housing and so on. But how are the different aesthetic environments perceived on the campus?



To start from a descriptive point of view, there are different categories of buildings on the campus. Some are almost historical, and either friendly-looking, as the Law Faculty building, or not really that beautiful (U building, P and D zones) or seriously ugly (H bunker). On the other hand, the more recent and modern Solvay building, or the library, are example of (aesthetically) well-managed places. But if the library is -largely- appreciated for its accommodations and its practical side, it is funny to see how differently people react about the Solvay building, some finding it megalomaniac, other -Solvay students- being proud of it. Personally, I feel indifferent about it -though I find it too bad not to have the Janson‘s garden anymore, for summer barbecue parties- , but this illustrates identification processes to a faculty -or another.

On the housing side, things are quite simple, as there are three complexes attached to the Solbosch; two of them are a bit older (Nelson Mandela and Héger residence) and the last one is recent (De Page residence). By experience, the different characteristics are as follows:

De Page offers bigger rooms and a better equipment in general, but of course at a more expensive price, and provides a far less convivial atmosphere

Héger and Mandela are quite similar, the latter being a little bit more expensive, but providing personal bathrooms

Once again, those housing residences make different experiences available to students. The choice finally depends on personal needs, and on the relative importance of cognitive and affective factors.

Finally, the numerous services students can benefit from, either inside faculties (SEP publications) or at the PUB library are unanimously appreciated, I think. Moreover, it addresses as well to people willing to buy every book and reference, in a tidy environment, as to ones suffering from procrastination (thanks to the SEP for example).