{"id":166131,"date":"2024-04-05T16:28:59","date_gmt":"2024-04-05T14:28:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=166131"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:16","slug":"vvd-student-association-misconduct-should-lead-to-withdrawal-of-funding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2024\/04\/05\/vvd-student-association-misconduct-should-lead-to-withdrawal-of-funding\/","title":{"rendered":"VVD: student association misconduct should lead to withdrawal of funding"},"content":{"rendered":"

The VVD party wants student associations to be punished more severely if members misbehave. For example, if they distribute a \u2018banga list\u2019, a malicious list of allegedly promiscuous girls, the university has to withdraw funding immediately. The Minister of Education, Culture and Science understands this desire.<\/p>\n

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The Dutch Parliament.<\/span><\/p>

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Three weeks ago, news broke that members of the Utrechtsch Studenten Corps (USC) were circulating<\/a> a \u2018slut list\u2019. On it were revealing photos of female students, their phone numbers and comments on their appearance and performance in bed. The Public Prosecution Service is investigating<\/a> the case.<\/p>\n

Sanctions<\/h2>

USC has suspended the responsible members indefinitely. In addition, Utrecht University and HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht have decided<\/a> to sanction the association itself. Both institutions will no longer fund the association this year.<\/p>\n

The VVD wants associations to face such a financial sanction by default from now on, MP Bente Becker said Wednesday in a committee debate on emancipation. She argued for a \u201czero-tolerance policy\u201d for associations that are not tough enough on their own members. If an association does not immediately expel members who misbehave, educational institutions should withdraw funding immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen push comes to shove, the boys who compile such a list can simply remain members\u201d, says Becker, while female victims no longer dare to show their faces.<\/p>\n

Bystanders<\/h2>

Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf approves of educational institutions taking firm action against associations. He also called on bystanders to speak out against abuses earlier. In addition, he pointed to several existing campaigns to expose sexually transgressive behaviour.<\/p>\n

For the VVD, however, this does not go far enough. \u201cCan\u2019t the Minister force educational institutions to include stricter requirements in their funding conditions for associations?\u201d, asked Becker.<\/p>\n

Dijkgraaf was open to the idea. He found it \u201ceminently conceivable\u201d that associations include \u201celementary safety requirements\u201d in their funding conditions and promised to share the suggestion \u201cemphatically\u201d with educational institutions. He will inform the House of Representatives of the outcome of his talks before the summer.<\/p>\n\n\t

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