Importance of a safe learning environment for students
On October 31, 2020 the NRC newspaper published an article on unacceptable behaviour by artist Juliaan Andeweg, former student at the Royal Academy of Art (KABK). A shocking article about the conduct of a young artist and the deep impact it has left on his environment. One of the things that stood out in the article was that fellow students of Andeweg did not feel safe and not taken seriously. This is obviously an undesirable situation.
A university of the arts such as ArtEZ should be a safe place where young people can develop and flourish. The unsafe atmosphere outlined in the article is a far cry from the safe learning and working environment we strive for together. A safe learning environment also means that students can always come to us with questions, signs, reports and complaints about unsafe or awkward situations. We take these very seriously.
Where can you go if you have questions or for a confidential meeting?
- If, for example, you feel the need for a confidential meeting, you can always go to the student counsellor’s office.
- If you are faced with undesirable behaviour, you can also contact the intermediary. There are also intermediaries for members of staff.
- Furthermore, ArtEZ has a Complaints Committee for Undesirable Behaviour, which investigates complaints about undesirable behaviour. The student counsellors and intermediaries can tell you more about this.