July 25th, 2026
Dear you,
My very last newsletter. This year has really flown by. I still remember writing my very first newsletter and being slightly terrified to hit "send" to nearly 300 people. I cannot believe that almost a year has passed since then! Being your Ab Actis has been an absolute pleasure, but after writing well over 130,000 words in the minutes, sending 26 newsletters, and sacrificing one of my laptop's keyboard keys in the process, it's time to pass the torch to Lyra (nope, you're not getting a third Benthe in a row).
I have complete faith in Board 34, and I'm very excited to see what they have in store. They've already been working hard behind the scenes, and I know they're going to do an amazing job. I hope you've all enjoyed this past year as much as we have. I think I can safely speak on behalf of the entire 33rd Board when I say that this year has been one incredible adventure. From seeing so many familiar and new faces at activities to sharing countless laughs, late nights, and unforgettable moments, we're incredibly grateful for every single experience this year has brought us.
Finally, I'd like to thank all of you. Kaiser wouldn't have thrived as much as it did without its member: you've made this year unforgettable!
For now, enjoy a well-deserved summer holiday, get some rest, and we'll see each other again next year!
Astronomical regards, Benthe ten Berge
Ab Actis On behalf of Board 33 - h.t. Triangulum Contents * Past Activities + Star Wars Marathon + Sword Fighting * Cat of the Week * WhatsApp group chat * Confidential Counsellors and University Support Systems
Star Wars Marathon Sword Fighting What better way to take a break from the Star Wars marathon than by learning how to wield a sword? (Okay, they weren't lightsabers, but they were still pretty cool.)
We gathered at the USC, where the protective gear and swords were already waiting for us. After a quick warm-up, we split into two groups to learn two very different styles of historical fencing: one with the langes messer and one with a dagger. Both required their own techniques, plenty of concentration, and more coordination than we had expected, but they were incredibly fun to learn.
The instructors did a fantastic job of guiding us through the evening. Alongside the practical techniques used in sparring, they also shared fascinating and somewhat gruesome facts about the history of these weapons. By the end of the session, everyone had gained a newfound appreciation for historical swordsmanship (and perhaps a few extra bruises).
A huge thank you to "Ludolph van Ceulen" schermschoole for the fantastic workshop and an unforgettable evening! Cat of the Week To close off the cat of the week rubric, I would like to put every single cat featured this year in the spotlight. I hope they have managed to brighten your week, even if only by a little, and have brought a smile to your face throughout the year :) WhatsApp group chat Whether you're new to Kaiser or have been with us for a while, you may not know about the Kaiser WhatsApp group chat. Through this platform, we share the lates updates on activities, highlight current astronomical events, and simply enjoy chatting with fellow astronomy enthusiasts. If you'd like to join, just click the link below! WhatsApp Group Chat (https://us.list-manage.com/SKMdKmAnM2j?e=3439c5f259&c2id=84aa061cf996d2e...) Confidential Counsellors and University Support Systems If you feel like you need help, know that there are many points of support all around you at all times. You can always reach out to us as board for any solace we can possibly offer, and our study advisor Wouter Schrier (studyadvisor@strw.leidenuniv.nl (mailto:studyadvisor@strw.leidenuniv.nl) ) is always available to talk. Don't hesitate also to make use of the University facilities for support, by looking at the resources on this website (https://us.list-manage.com/xxbo3mBsFxR?e=3439c5f259&c2id=84aa061cf996d2e...) or by booking an appointment with one of our student psychologists (through 071 - 527 8026 or psychologen@sea.leidenuniv.nl) (https://us.list-manage.com/I3pfJ9wILJn?e=3439c5f259&c2id=84aa061cf996d2e...) .
I'd also like to draw your attention to the Confidential Persons of De Leidsche Flesch and the Observatory Allies of the STRW. We have collected some resources (https://us.list-manage.com/_7u8z6Kppf_?e=3439c5f259&c2id=84aa061cf996d2e...) which we as students can reach out to in case there is any situation or person within the university that makes us feel uncomfortable, unwelcome or threatened. If you have any experiences of this kind, don't hesitate to reach out to any of us within the board or the contacts listed in the link.
Know, that there are always many people within the university who are ready to listen, help or act accordingly where needed.
============================================================ Board L.A.D. 'F. Kaiser' Retmer Tak Benthe ten Berge Sim Janssen Suzanne van Elten Lukas Biesma Contact: L.A.D. 'F. Kaiser' Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden kaiser@strw.leidenuniv.nl
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