Almost 50 student associations sign a code of conduct to combat transgressive behavior

Almost 50 student associations signed a code of conduct on Tuesday to combat transgressive behavior. The twelve PKvVs, organizations representing several student associations, and LKvVs, the umbrella organization for students' associations in the Netherlands, signed the new code, which was made to guarantee "respect, integrity, and responsibility."

Student associations have been in the news on several occasions in the last few years with reports of hazing that have gotten out of hand or the publication of so-called bangalijsts, which is a form of slut shaming. Banga is slang for slut. Many associations said that they felt a joint code of conduct was needed.

The code was drawn up by the associations that have joined the LKkV. Linde van Mechelen, chair of the LKvV, is one of the people supporting the decision to make a code. She hopes this can start a "positive culture movement" in the associations. "Everybody is unanimously behind it," she said. "Even with such a large group of various associations."

Among the signees are the Vindicat from Groningen, the Amsterdamsch Studenten Corps (A.S.C. ), and the Utrechtsch Studenten Corps. All of these have had their share of controversy in the past.

At the lustrum party of the A.S.C. in 2022, sexist speeches were given in which women were called "whores” and "sperm buckets." Images of this were spread online. The association has not received any money from the University of Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, or the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences since the incident.

The A.S.C., Vindicat, and the Tilburgs Studenten Corps Sint Olof participated in a panel talk on Tuesday morning in the Academy building in Utrecht. Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf will receive the code of conduct, his spokesperson shared.