External Social Security Committee expected to deliver results in October
The UvA’s Executive Board has set up an external Social Safety committee to investigate the university’s system concerning reports and complaints made about social safety.
The investigative committee, set up after an article published complaints against a lecturer at the Faculty of Humanities, consists of chairman Marry de Gaay Fortman (lawyer-partner at law firm Houthoff and former chairman of Topvrouwen.nl), Martine Bijkerk (legal adviser and researcher) and Mary Tupan-Wenno (director of the Echo Diversity Expertise Center).
At the request of the UvA Board, the committee has three leading research questions. It will investigate whether the board and faculty dean Fred Weerman acted adequately; provide advice on the possible amendment of current complaint and reporting procedures so that complainants feel better protected, and examine the extent to which the ombuds officer’s independence of the Executive Board is guaranteed. The Board asked the committee to submit a report with its recommendations no later than 15 October 2020.
The investigation consists of documentary research and ‘dozens of interviews’, says chairman De Gaay Fortman who has experience with whistleblower cases. ‘We can request additional information and broaden the research questions if necessary. We will establish the precise working method in a protocol that provides guarantees so that we can conduct our research in a sound and honest manner.’ Both the final report and the recommendations will be made public.
