Six scientists and a student at Eindhoven University of Technology have raised the alarm about the lack of freedom of expression on the TU/e campus. This is happening after the university’s governing body previously muzzled the university’s magazine Cursor.
While it is commonplace in science that criticism can be expressed in a safe way, this culture does not exist on TU/e’s governing boards, according to a letter to the university’s governing board, posted on Indicator.
The decisions reported by TU/e are rarely substantiated, and there is certainly no room for debate about the decisions, or so it seems. Anyone who puts their head above the parapet could, in the worst case, find their career blocked. In senior positions there will be no intention of expressing public criticism.
Asks
The indicator plays an important role in that culture, according to the thesis writers. There is currently not enough space to freely express opinions and make critical voices heard. The authors of the letter ask, among other things, whether it would be a good idea for the Secretary of the Board of Directors to also be the Secretary of the TU/e Supervisors.
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The question is also asked whether the CEO of ASML is also Chairman of the Supervisory Board of TU/e. The authors of the letter believe that these and other questions must be asked at the university, so that TU/e becomes a “teaching university”. “In short, welcome criticism and then deal with it, especially if the criticism is supported by journalistic or scientific evidence,” the book finally concludes.
On Tuesday, the FNV and AOb trade unions also wrote a letter A letter to the university administration It supports Cursor’s editorial staff and offers suggestions on how to ensure freedom of expression at the university.
