A recent report by the Inspectorate of Education (OI) states that TU Delft neglects to ensure the social safety of its employees. The Inspectorate received 148 reports by (former) employees of harassment, social unsafety due to a lack of leadership, exclusion, sexism, integrity violations, gossiping, racism, and bullying. In the university’s first response, the Executive and the Supervisory Board state that the underlying investigation is unsound and outline their plan to submit the report to court for assessment. Although they acknowledge that social safety deserves priority, we, students and employees of TU Delft, are disappointed and dissatisfied with the board’s response. It suggests that protecting management is more important than protecting the affected individuals. As such, we feel unheard and demand a different course of action. 

Full response and Opinion (Zienswijze) of the board of the TU Delft, and the full OI report: 

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/2024/tu-delft/tu-delft-stresses-need-for-permanent-improvement-in-social-safety

To: the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board of the TU Delft.

We, students and employees of TU Delft,

observe that:

• the TU Delft claims in its Opinion (Zienswijze) and official response that “TU Delft finds the damage the Directorate’s report is causing to the university and its staff to be unacceptable and unnecessary. Consequently, the report contributes insufficiently to the conversation about social safety [...]”,
• the TU Delft intends to submit the report to court for assessment,
• the response of the TU Delft is in line with the report's conclusion of a neglecting attitude towards ensuring social safety,

and demand the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board of the TU Delft:

• to not (wrongfully) speak on our behalf, as we do not believe the report contributes insufficiently to the conversation about social safety, but instead sheds light on the repeated mismanagement by those in leadership positions,
• to not submit the report to court, but to invest its time, effort, and money towards concrete plans of action to improve social safety at the university,
• to implement the necessary changes within the boards at the university and faculty level,
• to release a clear and public policy on consequences when the TU Delft’s code of conduct is not adhered to.

For questions or comments: tud.students.and.staff.4.safety@gmail.com