C.S. Veritas

C.S. Veritas (Collegium Studiosorum Veritas) is a general student society based in Utrecht, Netherlands. With nearly 1,900 members, it is described by its own website as the largest and oldest mixed student society in Utrecht. The society's clubhouse, or sociëteit, is located at Kromme Nieuwegracht 54 and is open five days a week. Veritas offers its members sociability, personal development, and relaxation, combining 137 years of tradition with an informal and contemporary character. The society is organized into numerous sub-groups, including year clubs, verticals, disputen, vakdisputen, and various committees. Originally a reading society for Roman Catholic students founded in 1889 as a sub-association of the Utrechtsch Studenten Corps (USC), the group adopted the name Katholieke Studentenvereniging Veritas in 1891. It later broke away from the USC and grew into the largest student society in Utrecht. Veritas was a pioneer in admitting women: in 1904 it decided to allow female members, and in 1906 the first women were installed. The society's motto is Deus Scientiarum Dominus, meaning 'God, Lord of the sciences.' Veritas is legally structured around four entities: three foundations (SVB, SSV, and SVEH) and the association itself (C.S.V.), with alumni organized in the RVV (Reünisten Vereniging Veritas). The society publishes magazines Vox Veritatis for members and Reünisten Vox for alumni. It also has numerous sub-associations by interest, such as Camera Musica, Kromme Nieuwe Scène, Tromp (sailing), and V.H.C. Pias (hockey). The society organizes events throughout the year, including the DagDixo, the three-day Hattrick, a benefit concert, and the Diesweek. Its alumni include many notable Dutch public figures in politics, media, academia, and business.

C.S. Veritas was founded in 1889 as a reading society for Roman Catholic students, originally as a sub-association of the Utrechtsch Studenten Corps (USC). In 1891 the group adopted the name Katholieke Studentenvereniging Veritas. In its early years, Veritas was led by jhr. mr. Jan Bosch van Oud Amelisweerd, who served as praeses for eight years. The society was a pioneer in Utrecht in admitting women: in 1904 it decided to allow female members, and in 1906 the first women were installed. Over time, Veritas broke away from the USC and developed into the largest student society in Utrecht. From the 1940s to the 1960s, Veritas consisted of a conglomerate of sociëteiten, a Meisjeskring (girls' circle) where female members gathered, and numerous subdivisions. There were cultural subdivisions for theatre and music, sports associations for rowing, sailing, and football, and groups such as Camera Obscura with its own darkroom in the basement of the sociëteit. The society has had several locations, including the Haagsche Koffiehuis (on the site where the C&A department store later established itself). In the 1960s and early 1970s, in addition to the location on Kromme Nieuwegracht, three wharf cellars were used as separate sociëteiten for men: 'Eigen Huis' (under Oudegracht 265), 'Polypous' (under Nieuwe Gracht 39) for the 'gentlemen', and 'Kadmos' (under Oudegracht 31) for the somewhat alternative members. Since 1934 the society has owned a building on the Kromme Nieuwegracht (sociëteit 'Eigen Huis'). The sociëteit consists of a new and an old section. The old section, 't Voorhuys, is a stately canal house where members eat, drink, and meet until 23:00. The new section is a later-added soundproof construction where members can continue to socialize and party into the late hours without disturbing neighbours. In 2000/2001, a major renovation took place in the Eigen Huis, largely financed by alumni. This resulted in a new party hall, a different, larger Tref, and a modern eatery/bistro. In 2014, historian Cees Willemsen wrote the book 'Aeterna Veritas'. Studentenvereniging Veritas tussen Rome en Utrecht, 1889-2014 to honour the society's 125th anniversary. The book was published in 2018 by the Stichting Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Studentenverenigingen. Today, Veritas has nearly 1,900 members and continues to organize a wide range of activities, including a gala, a hockey tournament, the DagDixo, the three-day Hattrick, a benefit concert, and the Diesweek.

• 2018

  'Aeterna Veritas' was published by the Stichting Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Studentenverenigingen.

• 2014

  Historian Cees Willemsen wrote 'Aeterna Veritas' for the 125th anniversary.

• 2000

  Major renovation of the Eigen Huis began, largely financed by alumni.

• 1934

  Acquired the building on Kromme Nieuwegracht (sociëteit 'Eigen Huis').

• 1906

  First women were installed as members.

• 1904

  Decided to allow women to join, the first in Utrecht to do so.

• 1891

  Adopted the name Katholieke Studentenvereniging Veritas.

• 1889

  Founded as a reading society for Roman Catholic students, a sub-association of the Utrechtsch Studenten Corps (USC).

Largest and oldest mixed student society in Utrecht, combining tradition with an informal, contemporary character.

• Sociëteit membership

  Access to the society's clubhouse at Kromme Nieuwegracht 54, open five days a week.

• Year clubs, verticals, disputen, vakdisputen

  Various sub-groups for members to join.

• Interest sub-associations

  Includes Camera Musica, Kromme Nieuwe Scène, Tromp (sailing), and V.H.C. Pias (hockey).

• Magazines Vox Veritatis and Reünisten Vox

  Published for members and alumni respectively.

• Events

  Annual gala, hockey tournament, DagDixo, three-day Hattrick, benefit concert, Diesweek.

1. 1C.S. Veritas - Homeveritas.nl
2. 2C.S. Veritas - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3C.S. Veritas - Wikipedia (NL)nl.wikipedia.org