KU Leuven: KU Leuven is conducting disciplinary proceedings in response to risky and irresponsible baptism
KU Leuven is currently conducting disciplinary proceedings against thirteen students for organizing and participating in a high-risk and irresponsible baptismal activity. The baptismal activity, which took place last academic year, was in violation of the renewed disciplinary regulations and baptismal charter that the involved regional South-East Flemish student club (ZOV) refused to sign. One student was rushed to hospital with a life-threatening amount of alcohol in his blood. The court first conducted a criminal investigation, after which, on October 18, 2022, the university initiated disciplinary proceedings.
The facts date from November 2021. During a baptism that lasted three days, a combination of little sleep, little nutrition and food not intended for human consumption, physical exhaustion and a lot of alcohol eventually caused one student to lose consciousness. The student was rushed to hospital. There it was determined that he had a life-threatening amount of alcohol in the blood. Fortunately, the student was able to leave the hospital without permanent injury.
Immediately after KU Leuven learned in December 2021 that university students had participated in an irresponsible and risky baptism activity with an almost fatal outcome, the university informed the Leuven public prosecutor’s office, which forwarded the report to the competent public prosecutor’s office. A criminal investigation was then started, which was completed in October 2022. That investigation provided sufficient factual evidence to initiate disciplinary proceedings. These include disrespect for human dignity and physical integrity, incitement to excessive drinking and engaging in risky and irresponsible behavior that may cause injury.
Rector Luc Sels: “As a university community, we take the facts very seriously. This incident touches us very deeply and brings back memories in many of us of the Reuzegom case and the death of Sanda Dia. Fortunately, a new drama was avoided, but only narrowly. A strenuous baptism ritual with little sleep, no nutritious food and a lot of alcohol put one of our students in mortal danger. This is something we hoped would never happen again. This was a life-threatening situation, for which everyone present is responsible. Their behavior is contrary to the renewed disciplinary regulations and the university’s baptismal charter. This could have ended much worse. The baptismal charter, consultation and awareness-raising remain necessary, even though we know that the vast majority of our students are aware of their responsibilities and behave respectfully. But the excesses must be stopped. I therefore call on everyone to be critical of their experiences with baptismal rituals and to actively bring them into line with the fundamental principles of human dignity, well-being and safety.”
The involved regional student club ZOV is an independent association with which the university has no ties. The university itself cannot therefore impose or prohibit the club, but the participating KU Leuven students can. Every student who enrols at KU Leuven declares to agree with the disciplinary regulations and compliance with them. The student club concerned refused to sign the KU Leuven baptism charter in the academic year 2021-2022 and also did not participate in the process with the university and other higher education institutions, the city of Leuven, the Leuven police and the student organizations about the new charter for baptisms and baptisms. welcome rituals .
The disciplinary procedure has not yet been completed. The students have been informed of the sanctions imposed on them by the Disciplinary Committee, but they can lodge an appeal against this with the University’s Disciplinary Appeals Committee. In order to ensure that the procedure proceeds correctly and serenely, the university will not provide any further explanation.