Meeting held about Wijnhaven protest and occupation on 6 May
On Tuesday 27 May a first meeting was held in response to the demonstration and occupation at the Wijnhaven building on 6 May. The aim was to explore how the university can balance the fundamental right to protest with ensuring a safe environment for all students and staff.
The following were invited to attend the meeting: study association boards, degree programme committees and the chairs of all degree programmes in The Hague, the faculty boards and councils from the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs, the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, representatives of the protest groups and the Executive Board.
During the meeting, a moderator ensured that students, staff and board members could share their experiences of the demonstration and occupation. They also reflected more broadly on security, transparency within the university and the dialogue surrounding these over the past year and a half.
Despite some criticism of the format and invitation policy, the meeting was calm and respectful, allowing space for different perspectives.
Further meetings
- On 28 May, Vice-President Timo Kos and Vice-Rector Erwin Muller will attend a meeting convened by Students for Palestine, End Fossil Occupy! and OpenLeiden.
- The next public consultation between the Executive Board and the University Council will take place on 2 June, and the events of 6 May are on the agenda. The meeting is open to the public. Please register in advance.
- In June, a meeting will be held in Leiden to look in more depth at the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict and to explore how we as an academic community can respond carefully and respectfully. The date will be announced soon.
- On 14 July, the Executive Board and the University Council will discuss revisions to the university’s security policy and a comprehensive analysis of the events on 6 May.