The University of Groningen (UG) has removed the ban on taking photos and videos in its buildings from the new rules for demonstrations. The rest of the rules have been adopted unchanged.
With this decision, the board of directors partially is accommodating the university council, which expressed criticism in February.
More protests
The rules, based on those of the umbrella organisation Universities of the Netherlands, were drawn up due to the increasing number of protests on UG premises. The last occupation of the Academy building, in April last year, ended with a forceful eviction by the police.
The council would have preferred demonstrations to be assessed on a case-by-case basis rather than one general set of rules being in place. The council also pointed out that demonstrations in UG buildings in the past have led to change, such as during the housing shortage in 2021.
Excessive
Criticism also came last week from the Groningen Students’ Union (GSb). Along with thirty-eight other organisations – including the National Student Union and Amnesty International Student Group – it asked the university to revoke the house rules.
Although the GSb is pleased that the ban on photos and videos has been lifted, chairman Ken Hesselink still feels the rules are excessive. ‘The rest of them still have a significant impact on the right to demonstrate, and we hope they are withdrawn.’
On Monday, the university stated in a declaration that the rules are ‘to ensure the safety of all involved’, not to restrict the right to demonstrate or freedom of expression. These are ‘fundamental rights’ that the UG ‘respects and protects’.