{"id":12132,"date":"2009-09-14T14:05:06","date_gmt":"2009-09-14T14:05:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress72\/?p=15476"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:22:37","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:22:37","slug":"university-has-double-standards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2009\/09\/14\/university-has-double-standards\/","title":{"rendered":"‘University has double standards’"},"content":{"rendered":"

The decision by the EUR to say goodbye to Tariq Ramadan remains highly controversial. Employees and students debated the dismissal of Islam philosopher on 7 September. \u201cIs the university board the highest moral authority in this country?\u201d <\/p>\n

Ramadan\u2019s dismissal was the result of the news that he anchors a TV show on a network which receives financial support from the Iranian regime. EUR sociologist Willem Schinkel criticised the decision to dismiss Ramadan, by saying that the university has taken a George Bush stance: \u201cThe board, in its infinite wisdom, takes the position that everything about Iran is wrong\u201d. Schinkel suggested an Obama approach in stead: enter into a dialogue. The board\u2019s judgment he called \u201cauthoritarian and unbalanced\u201d. <\/p>\n

Acting Chairman of the Board Steven Lamberts defended the board\u2019s decision: \u201cAs employee you have the freedom say women or gays have a lower standing, but you cannot work for a regime that does not respect core democratic values. A professor in nuclear physics cannot be an advisor to the regime in North Korea and a lung specialist cannot simultaneously work for a cigarette manufacturer\u201d, Lamberts argued, saying Ramadan\u2019s situation was similar because he refuses to give up his side job as TV host at a TV channel which is sponsored by a bad regime. <\/p>\n

Surprisingly, Lamberts got support from an academic who had also criticised the university. Professor Henri Beunders said Ramadan should have used his position to denounce the Iranian leadership. Schinkel replied that \u201cRamadan is already doing this by mentioning women\u2019s rights and gay rights. One cannot expect much else or the man\u2019s head will roll, literally\u201d. <\/p>\n

Another point was why Ramadan may not work for an Iranian channel while the university does allow itself to cooperate with Chinese universities. Professor Siep Stuurman believes the university has double standards. \u201cThey give themselves the benefit of the doubt, but Ramadan cannot be given the benefit of the doubt.\u201d In addition Stuurman blamed the university for having acted too fast. \u201cIt was a hurried, poorly substantiated decision.\u201d Many of the audience agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe would have wanted a debate about the controversy, within our own academic community\u201d, Arjo Klamer professor in culture and economy said. \u201cThe whole story has caused damage to the university\u2019s reputation\u201d. However, acting Chairman of the Board mister Lamberts stayed with his decision and criticised Oxford University\u2019s decision not to reprimand Ramadan. \u201cWe will not retreat into our ivory tower; as university we want to be part of society.\u201d HOP<\/p>\n\n\t

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