The RUG’s Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Gerry Wakker: “the article not only provokes disgust in me, but also shame about the attitudes of some of my countrymen”
The University of Groningen says it is shocked by reports of discrimination against students with a Chinese background. The University has asked that anyone experiencing discrimination report the experience immediately (to diversity@rug.nl), and also says that measures are being implemented to ensure that everyone ‘continues to feel safe and at home at the University of Groningen’.
The fact that there is often severe discrimination and unfair treatment of Chinese students or people with an Asian background was reported last Wednesday, and it has taken the RUG nearly a week to formulate this lukewarm response.
In response to the article, Gerry Wakker, the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer says: “The article not only provoked disgust in me, but also shame about the attitude of some of my countrymen. The incidents described are very sad”, she says. As reported by the GIC.
“We strongly disapprove of and are trying to combat discrimination. We have a zero-tolerance policy with regard to any form of violation of integrity and undesirable statements: the ‘code of conduct academic integrity’, but at the same time we also know that this will not prevent discrimination and racism”, says Wakker.
She reports that the RUG has recruited a confidential advisor and that an ombudsperson will be recruited in 2021.
She also calls on students and staff to (continue to) report their negative experiences. This can be done via a confidential advisor, or diversity@rug.nl.
Image via WikiUser Bert Kaufman. License here
