Arsonist in his own house

Fiddling while Rome burns is perhaps the most famous English saying that originates from classical antiquity. However, the image of Nero actually playing the violin while Rome was on fire is not supported by ancient sources. In fact, it cannot be literally true as the first violin dates back to the sixteenth century. What is certain, is that on the night of 18 to 19 July in the year 64, a massive fire ravaged Rome that wasn’t brought under control until five days later. Rumour had it that Nero himself had ordered the fire to clear space for a new palace. That same year, he began construction on the Domus Aurea and blamed the Christians for the inferno. Thus began the first Roman persecution of Christians.

Christians setting their own city on fire, surely that’s unthinkable? Enter a Christian professor who holds two chairs at TU Delft. As of December 2023, he also serves as a senator for the Reformed Political Party (SGP) in the Dutch Senate. In that capacity, he recently voted in favour of the massive education budget cuts of EUR 1.2 billion, 500 million of which are in higher education. In doing so, he sets his own university ablaze. Without a violin, but ‘reluctantly’, so that’s a great comfort.

Why then did TU Delft grant permission for this damaging side activity?

Under the Sectoral scheme on ancillary activities for Dutch universities, university employees are required to report any side activities. This professor dutifully did so. But what about Article 5, Section 2a, which states: ‘The university will grant permission […] except […] in the case of any ancillary activities […] which harm the university’s academic, organisational and/or business interests in any way whatsoever’? Surely supporting such draconian cutbacks to higher education severely harms TU Delft. Why then did TU Delft grant permission for this damaging side activity?

How can it be reconciled that someone is a professor at a university that champions gender equality, while simultaneously serving as a senator for a conservative Christian party that holds the view that ‘man was created first and is therefore the head of the woman’? Despite a Supreme Court ruling that women in the SGP must be allowed to run for office, the party persists in its belief that ‘governance is not a role suited to women’. Accordingly, the SGP’s candidate list for the 2023 parliamentary elections featured 44 men and not a single woman. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but ethics take a holiday when you openly promote a stance that blatantly contradicts the Constitution and the core values of your employer.

Why does TU Delft condone a professor who holds sexist beliefs and supports disastrous cuts to higher education? Diabolically, he himself won’t suffer the consequences of these cuts, as on 23 May he will deliver his farewell lecture entitled: The Arsonist and the Thirty Pieces of Silver. Grab your violin and come see the show!