Support for Groningen whistleblower

Support for Groningen whistleblower

The dismissal of Groningen university associate professor Susanne Täuber is still causing a lot of commotion. Sympathisers are standing up for her and want the university to put her back to work.

A fortnight ago, the subdistrict court ruled that the University of Groningen may dismiss Susanne Täuber from 1 May because her working relationship with her faculty was “seriously disturbed”. This happened partly after she published an academic article criticising the RUG’s diversity policy.

Sympathisers protested online against the dismissal with #AmINext. They collected over 21 thousand euros to cover her legal costs. More than 3,700 supporters also signed a petition stating that the university should reinstate her. Staff at the Centre for Gender Studies at the Faculty of Letters claimed that there was a suitable vacancy for her there, but this was refuted by the university.

On Wednesday, 50 students occupied the Groningen Academy Building, reported the Groningen UKrant. They protested against the university’s social safety policy and Täuber’s dismissal. They demanded that the RUG take seriously all cases of harassment and discrimination described in a report by Täuber and others.

In the evening, the occupation ended. The administration and students came up with a joint statement on Thursday. They will meet again in three weeks to see what has come of the intentions. (HOP, Peer van Tetterode)