{"id":87548,"date":"2018-06-01T14:58:44","date_gmt":"2018-06-01T12:58:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=87548"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:23:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:23:00","slug":"rector-opens-diversity-office","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2018\/06\/01\/rector-opens-diversity-office\/","title":{"rendered":"Rector opens Diversity Office"},"content":{"rendered":"

The opening of the university\u2019s Diversity Office Wednesday was a bit of a happening, complete with a rainbow of balloons. Since May of this year, the office is located next to the Erasmus Gallery in the Erasmus Building.<\/p>\n

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The team of the Diversity Office in front of their new office with rector Huib Pols and hanneke Takkenberg (on the right).<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tArie Kers<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

\u201cI\u2019ve heard it said that the location of a diversity office in an organisation is indicative of how seriously an organisation takes this topic. We started out in the cellar and now we\u2019re here. That\u2019s why I\u2019m pleased that we can be found at the heart of the campus\u201d, said Hanneke Takkenberg, the university\u2019s chief diversity officer.<\/p>\n

Takkenberg reminded those present that what once started as a small circle of people who wanted to \u2018resolve problems faced by minorities\u2019 has now grown into an important part of the entire university when it comes to diversity and inclusion. \u201cYou really can\u2019t claim that women are a minority\u201d, added Takkenberg in passing.<\/p>\n

\u2018Surely a woman can\u2019t give a lecture in the Aula'<\/h2>

She hopes that the Diversity Office will be a hub for queries, ideas, and complaints as well as a resource to provide assistance in matters related to diversity and inclusion at EUR. Takkenberg thanked outgoing Rector Huib Pols, who held the scissors to officially open the office, for his efforts in getting this issue on the agenda.<\/p>\n

Pols, after cutting the ceremonial ribbon, recalled that when he took office there was much discussion about diversity and equal opportunities for women in academia, but very little action was taken. \u201cI\u2019ve always tried to not make it a problem solely to be resolved at the central level. I felt it was also an issue that had to be dealt with by the faculties.\u201d<\/p>\n

At one point when he heard a professor say that you \u2018surely wouldn\u2019t ask a woman to give a lecture in the Aula\u2019, Pols knew there was a great deal of work to be done. \u201cAt least awareness has increased and now we also need everybody\u2019s commitment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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