Groningen wants to ban hazing completely

The municipality of Groningen, the University of Groningen (RUG) and the Hanze University Groningen wants to completely ban hazing in student associations, they said in a joint statement. This follows a number of recent incidents at student association Vindicat. A prospective member was hospitalized after sustaining a brain injury - cerebral edema - during hazing. It was also revealed that prospective members sign a contract promising that they will not talk about hazing, or pay a fine of 25 thousand euros. And last week a "bang list" of female Vindicat members circulated on the internet. It contained the names, numbers, photos and sexiness ratings of 22 students. The three parties find these events completely unacceptable. "RUG, the municipality and Hanze used the past few days to talk to all involved parties, including Vindicat, to forma clear picture of what actually happened. The conclusion is that a cultural change is needed in the association in order to make sure hazing is stopped", the statement reads. With Vindicat's cooperation, an external committee will be established to oversee this cultural change.