Maastricht Univ. shuts down "mindful nest" after students use meditation space for sex

Maastricht University has decided to remove the Mindfulnest meditation pod from its Arts and Social Sciences faculty after complaints that students were using it to have sex. Some students took the instruction to “Do whatever feels good” on the sign next to the pod too literally, the university newspaper Observant reported.

The Mindfulnest - an almost soundproof cabinet with a bench, some pillows, and a tablet to play soothing sounds - was placed in a lounge where students can study and relax in the spring of 2022.

But due to complaints about students having sex there, many don’t want to use it anymore, calling it “unhygienic,” among other things. The director of the faculty agreed to have the nest removed “as soon as possible,” the university newspaper wrote.

The meditation pod was financed with government money intended to mitigate the consequences of the coronavirus disaster. Because that money is no longer available, it was already scheduled to be removed in March next year.

Maastricht University already had two other Mindfulnest units removed, but a spokesperson stressed that it was for “business reasons” and not because of complaints.

The university will look for alternative ways of offering students opportunities to relax. “We are working on VR glasses for yoga and meditation,” the spokesperson told Observant. “An additional advantage is that it is no longer a closed cubicle, so you know for sure that it is used correctly.”