‘Lifting Utrecht sanctions for USC over bangalijst is premature’

Parents of the students who appeared on last year’s ‘bangalist’ find it incomprehensible that the Utrecht Student Association (USC) is once again receiving subsidies. They have little faith in the promised cultural change.

In March last year, it emerged that members of the USC had created a PowerPoint presentation evaluating the appearance and alleged sex lives of around thirty female members of the association, including their names and phone numbers. The list circulated on social media. The Public Prosecution Service launched an investigation that has yet to be completed.

Steps in the right direction

Last week, Utrecht University and the Utrecht University of Applied Sciences announced that the sanctions against the USC would be gradually lifted over the course of 2025. From 1 January this year, the association is again eligible for subsidies, and in September it will be allowed to participate in the opening of the academic year.

In May 2024, the USC published an improvement plan. Based on discussions about the plan, the university and university of applied sciences boards concluded that progress has been made towards cultural change. Nevertheless, they will continue to monitor developments with the help of experts.

The parents of the affected students believe this decision is premature. Their lawyer, Ina Brouwer, told NOS that the educational institutions should impose much stricter standards for student behaviour. According to her, a code of conduct is insufficient. “It’s too soft – the culture is too entrenched. The sexist culture of the association won’t disappear overnight. The association is well-practised in misogynistic and disrespectful behaviour.”