Ten members of the Groningen student association Vindicat have returned from a weekend away with first-degree burns on their faces. Dagblad van het Noorden and Sikkom report based on sources that it concerns branding.
Vindicat chairman Wibe Kaak confirms to the two titles that the members have returned from a weekend away with burns on their faces. The members were away with the TYR fraternity. The trip was arranged outside the association. Vindicat has launched an investigation to determine whether it actually concerns branding.
“We constantly emphasize that members, committees and fraternities must adhere to the standards of conduct even outside the home,” the chairman tells Sikkom. TYR itself reported the incident, after which Vindicat informed the University of Groningen (RUG) and the municipality of Groningen. Vindicat has advised those affected to go to the police.
The RUG does not respond substantively to the Groningen medium. “Except that we report to the rectors and the accreditation committee for student organizations. They must then see what needs to happen,” says a spokesperson.
Mayor Mirjam van ‘t Veld has also responded to the incident. “Should it turn out that people have indeed been branded, that is completely unacceptable and reprehensible. In that case, I expect appropriate measures to be taken.” The mayor indicates that she will speak with Vindicat.
Vindicat has often been in the news due to negative events. In 2016, for example, a prospective member suffered head injuries during the hazing. A few years ago, the association’s accreditation was withdrawn. RUG and the Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen ruled in 2019 that there was a “culture change”, after which the association was re-accredited.