Leuven University staff dissatisfied with rector's approach to transgressive behaviour

Almost 700 employees of the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven) have expressed their discontent with the approach of rector Luc Sels, after a report by Flemish public broadcaster VRT revealed transgressive behaviour and power abuse at the university. Said employees collectively signed a letter to demand further action, VRT NWS reported on Monday. The news has been confirmed by KU Leuven itself.

The letter, signed by professors and staff from all faculties at Belgium’s largest university, will be handed over to the rector in the course of Monday afternoon. Afterwards, a meeting between Sels and the initiators of the letter is set to take place.

The report by VRT’s documentary programme ‘Pano’ collected fourteen testimonies about a KU Leuven professor, who is accused by witnesses of power abuse and transgressive behaviour. Rector Sels, president of the university, issued a written statement after the broadcast but KU Leuven staff members are demanding further action in the letter.

Photo © BELGA: KU Leuven rector Luc Sels delivers a speech after the 'Stoet der Togati' parade of the KU Leuven university, at the opening of the academic year, in Leuven