Code of conduct

Thanks to TU Delft’s new transparency directive, I was allowed to attend the meeting between Bert and Bart about the new Code of Conduct.

“Do you have a good example of Discrimination for the chapter Interacting with one another?”

“What about: Asking an LGBTQI+ couple: ‘Which of you is the real mother?’”

“Huh? Is that discrimination?”

“Yes, because it falls under the category of subtle, often unintentional comments, actions or behaviour that convey a negative or hurtful message to someone based on their background or characteristics. That’s a micro-aggression.”

“A what??”

“A micro-aggression.”

“How is that aggression? That question may not be the pinnacle of elegance, but what in god’s name is aggressive about it? You just said it’s often an unintended remark. But aggression is never unintended, is it? Van Dale’s dictionary defines aggression as a threat or attack involving violence. That’s something entirely different. By the way, did you know that in Dutch, aggression is a feminine noun?”

“Watch what you say! The expression in god’s name can also be perceived as a micro-aggression by believers who find it inappropriate or disrespectful to use God’s name as an expletive. And spelling God with a lowercase letter is also a micro-aggression toward believers for whom the capital letter is a sign of reverence. Writing god instead of God can be taken as a lack of respect for their faith or for God as a unique being.”

“Holy fuck!”

“Do you want to know what the Anti-Profanity League thinks about that?”

“…”

“By the way, calling aggression feminine is completely unacceptable!”

“Whát?? The word aggression is definitely feminine according to Van Dale!”

“Oh really? And who exactly is this Van Dale?”

“Johan Hendrik van Dale was a schoolteacher in Sluis who lived from 1828 to 1872.”

“Just as I though, an old white man!”

“Old? He died of smallpox at the age of 44…”

“And another thing: you say LGBTQI+, not LGBTIQA+, like in footnote 3. Do you have something against asexual people, that you put them away in the plus sign, together with greysexual and pomosexual people? Yet another textbook example of a micro-aggression.”

“Ahhrrrggghh! We’re not getting anywhere like this. Let’s move on to another chapter. But first, I need a drink!”

“Ho ho ho, it’s only 16:30, and according to the Alcohol and substances policy, drinks, activities and events are alcohol-free until 17:00. And after that, a maximum alcohol content of 15% applies.”

“Drinks without a drink? According to Van Dale, a drink (borrel) is (a) a glass of spirits, and (b) an occasion where spirits are served. What do you say to that?”

“Fine. Here’s an example from the chapter Personal conduct: A professor is arrested twice within a short period of time for driving under the influence. Although this happens outside working hours, it can affect confidence in their integrity and professionalism as a lecturer at TU Delft. Nothing wrong with that, right?”

“Seriously? That raises so many questions. Does this only apply to professors? How long is ‘within a short period’? How does TU Delft even know that someone has been arrested for driving under the influence? Does this apply to other arrests as well? Why…”

“Hold it. That’s enough for today. I’m going home.”

“Fine, me too. I want to upload some photos to my OnlyFans account.”