Niks meer missen?
Schrijf je in voor onze nieuwsbrief!
Foto: Bram Belloni
international

‘UvA should apply quotas,’ diversity commission says

Steffi Weber,
14 september 2016 - 16:50

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) must introduce quotas for minority groups, the university’s diversity commission said on Tuesday.

Introducing quotas was one of the recommendations the commission presented during its first feedback session Tuesday evening in Crea. The commission advocates mandatory diversity courses for undergraduates to inform them about the power structures that originated in colonialism and are still felt today.

 

The commission also advocates the establishment of a so-called ‘Diversity Unit’ – a diversity watchdog that will work in close cooperation with the Board of Directors of the university to oversee whether the diversity policies are carried out effectively. To deal with complaints of students and staff who feel discriminated against, the university should appoint an ombudsperson, to name only a few of the commission’s recommendations.  

 

Occupation

The diversity commission was established after student protests hit the university in 2015. One of the slogans seen in the occupied Maagdenhuis stated: ‘No Democratization without Decolonization!!’. Hence, it became obvious that not everybody experienced the UvA as an inclusive university, with a place for different kinds of people and ideas. The commission started an inquiry into the position of various minority groups. It looked into the question of equal opportunities for students and professors. The five commission members also examined whether study programs used a diverse enough curriculum and allowed for enough different worldviews to be discussed.

 

The UvA has to be aware of its own history and role in colonialism, the commission argues. Scientists should let go of the so called ‘positivist perspective on science’: the idea that only empirical science can produce knowledge. Positivism is only one of the perspectives on science, the commission says: a Western one. Many students and professors don’t accept other perspectives than positivism, whilst upholding an egalitarian worldview. 

 

Final report

In October the commission will present its final report, including the specific policy proposals. In the meantime students and staff can ask questions and give input during three feedback sessions, of which Tuesday’s session was the first.