KU Leuven: Case-ZOV- KU Leuven completes disciplinary procedure, sanctions are final
The students involved in the ZOV case have decided not to appeal against the sanctions pronounced by the KU Leuven Disciplinary Committee. This decision marks the end of the disciplinary procedure. Six students are temporarily excluded and are no longer allowed to enroll at KU Leuven for two to four academic years, including this academic year. Six students are suspended for one year with conditions precedent. One student will not be sanctioned after an investigation showed that he was not involved in the baptism.
In recent weeks, KU Leuven has been conducting disciplinary proceedings against thirteen students for organizing and participating in a high-risk and irresponsible baptismal activity of the South East Flemish regional student club (ZOV) in November 2021. A combination of little sleep, little food and nutrition that is not intended for human consumption, physical exhaustion and high levels of alcohol resulted in one student losing consciousness during the baptism and being rushed to hospital. There it was determined that the student had a life-threatening amount of alcohol in the blood. Fortunately, the student suffered no permanent injuries.
The students involved were informed of the sanctions earlier this week, but could lodge an appeal against this with the Appeals Disciplinary Committee for fourteen calendar days. The students announced today that they accept the sanctions and will therefore not appeal. This means that the disciplinary procedure at KU Leuven has officially been completed and that the sanctions are final. Six students will be excluded from KU Leuven for between two and four academic years, including this academic year. Six students who underwent baptism are suspended for one year with conditions precedent. They will be given an individual, behavioral remedial disciplinary measure, which consists of three assignments they must fulfill during the coming academic year: an awareness-raising program about the harmful consequences of alcohol abuse, 60 to 80 hours of voluntary work at the service of society and an evaluation interview with the disciplinary committee with an assignment about risky behavior in student life and baptismal rituals. All sanctions are now in effect. One student will not be sanctioned after an investigation showed that he was not involved in the baptism.
Rector Luc Sels: “It cannot be justified that this happened. It should never have happened. Their decision to accept the sanctions shows that the students are fully aware of this. I appreciate that and it gives me hope for the future , both from our university, but also from those involved. The final recording of the sanctions is the final piece of this disciplinary procedure at KU Leuven. But the story does not stop there: such irresponsible baptismal activities must be eradicated and may never take place again. in Leuven, not at other locations. I have established that all our partners in the consultation around the baptismal charter have also confirmed this. Together with those partners and our students, we will continue to work on this,so that welcoming activities always take place with respect for everyone’s dignity, well-being and safety.”