The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) has launched internal proceedings against one of its professors after receiving another complaint of misconduct.
After receiving reports of inappropriate behaviour which included toxic leadership, as well as psychological humiliation and harassment, the Flemish university is investigating the allegation levied against the professor.
While the first complaint was filed in 2020, the university once again has been exposed to have failed to act.
VUB confirmed to Belga News Agency on Wednesday that a thorough preliminary investigation is underway, in which the investigative body is gathering all evidence and drawing up an advisory report. Based on these findings, the university's chancellor will decide whether to refer the case to the university's disciplinary committee.
It added that it does not want to communicate further about the reports or the content of the investigation "so as not to harm the outcome of the proceedings." VUB did stress that it will deal with undesirable behaviour, past and present, "resolutely but with due caution."
Last year, the university faced a series of complaints of sexual misconduct on its premises and was heavily criticised for its lack of response and its failure to adequately assist victims. The incident led to the creation of a new battle plan dubbed the YANA (You Are Not Alone) policy, which made tackling misconduct by staff and students a priority and preventing such behaviour.
String of complaints
This marks the third time in over a year that an internal investigation into misconduct has been launched against a professor or lecturer at the VUB in just over a year. Just last week, it was reported the VUB launched two internal investigations into psychology professor Elke Van Hoof for complaints of toxic leadership.
Meanwhile, KU Leuven confirmed on Tuesday that it has fired the professor who raped a student in Barcelona with immediate effect, adding that he will also lose his civil service pension.
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The professor appealed an initial ruling during the internal proceedings, but the Board of Governors has now given its final ruling. In a statement, KU Leuven stressed that it now opted for the harshest disciplinary sanction possible for the professor, who was already judicially convicted for the crime.
The Flemish university also came under fire last year for covering up the incident, however, the court had reportedly "explicitly urged" it to "do nothing that might alarm the accused."
