European University Viadrina - Right-wing extremist incidents: University initiates measures
Following the discovery of right-wing extremist incidents at the university sports club USC, the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder) has taken legal action in consultation with the Executive Board. In addition, the club has held talks with employees about the allegations, announced the university's chancellor, Robert Nissen, on Tuesday evening. Nissen is a member of the USC board of the independently registered association, which also organizes university sports.
In an open letter dated 8 December, students from the "Aktionsbündnis Viadrina" (Viadrina Action Alliance) had raised accusations that anti-constitutional, right-wing extremist symbols such as swastikas or SS runes were being openly displayed at USC and that employees of the sports club were presumably not taking action against them. They accused the university of passive behavior.
According to the university, it was agreed that USC would revise its house rules by February 2024 in order to be able to refuse entry to members who are openly racist and discriminatory. "Our goal is to work with USC to further develop the atmosphere in the USC practice rooms so that all our students can feel comfortable there," said Nissen. In his role as a member of the Executive Board, he will work towards this goal.
Over 4500 students from 108 countries study at Viadrina University on the Oder. The proportion of foreign students at Viadrina is one third. The largest groups of students come from Poland, Ukraine and Turkey.
In addition, raised beds created by students on the university campus were destroyed and smeared with queer and anti-constitutional symbols. The "Students for Climate Justice Frankfurt (Oder)" wanted to use the raised beds to draw attention to climate change. They have since dismantled the beds.
During an exchange between the university management and the sports club with students on Monday evening, all sides reaffirmed their determination to firmly oppose all forms of right-wing extremist, racist and discriminatory statements and behavior on campus and in the sports club. Martin Hampel, a member of the sports club's board since the end of October, announced mandatory information and awareness-raising measures for all USC employees. Hampel has experience in prevention work and raising awareness of right-wing radicalism. The next exchange with students is to take place before the end of the winter semester in February 2024.
According to Jan Augustyniak, spokesperson for the "No place for Nazis in Frankfurt (Oder)" alliance, it has been known since at least the beginning of 2022 that "Nazis come and go" at the sports club. He called for the agreements that have now been reached to be implemented quickly. In a university that sees itself as cosmopolitan and a city that acts as a twin city with the Polish city of Slubice, it is unacceptable for students to be intimidated in this way.
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- The university sports club USC, affiliated with the European University Viadrina in Brandenburg, has been under scrutiny due to allegations of displaying anti-constitutional symbols and passive behavior toward right-wing extremism.
- Frankfurt University, a member of the Universities network, has seen controversy as raised beds created by students on campus were destroyed and defaced with queer and anti-constitutional symbols.
- In light of these incidents, the Executive Board of European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder) and the USC board, including member Robert Nissen, have collaborated on measures to revise the club's rules and address extremism.
- Martin Hampel, a board member of USC with experience in prevention work and raising awareness of right-wing radicalism, has announced mandatory information and awareness-raising measures for all USC employees in Frankfurt (or) to combat extremism.
Source: www.stern.de
