The Groningen student association Vindicat is severing ties with the TYR fraternity after ten members sustained first-degree burns during a weekend getaway. The member responsible for the ‘branding’ is also no longer welcome at the association.
It became clear on Friday that ten members of the TYR fraternity (a sub-society within Vindicat) sustained first-degree burns during a weekend getaway in Friesland. This happened in the evening at a campfire in a remote location in the forest.
Vindicat states that a senior student under the influence of alcohol “inflicted injuries in the form of first-degree burns on ten freshmen with a glowing object.” In at least one case, it concerns burns to the face. A number of students have indicated that this happened against their will.
“We reject this misconduct in the strongest possible terms,” writes the Groningen student association. All ties with TYR have been severed and the perpetrator is no longer welcome at the association. Vindicat reports that the weekend getaway was organized outside of the association.
According to Vindicat, the affected freshmen are “doing well under the circumstances.” “In the coming period, we will make every effort to support them, both in their recovery and in the further referral to the competent authorities.”
TYR reported the incident to Vindicat itself, after which the association informed the University of Groningen (RUG) and the municipality of Groningen. Vindicat has advised the victims to go to the police. Two members want to report the assault, reports Dagblad van het Noorden.
The Northern Netherlands police say they are aware of the incident. Involved students are advised to contact the police to file a report.