There was a need among students, staff, services and the Executive Board for more clarity about demonstrations on campus. Both central representative advisory councils, deans and the trade unions AOB, CNV and FNV provided input. Specific legal expertise was then sought from Amsterdam Law School. The Executive Board adopted the house rules after obtaining consent from the representative advisory bodies. 

Not without permission. The public dissemination of images (e.g. on social media or app groups) may also only take place with the explicit consent of the employee(s) and/or student(s) concerned. Click here for more information. 

Events related to teaching, research or valorisation are allowed. Think of lectures, symposia, workshops or activities that support students or staff in their studies or work. Religious gatherings without academic debate or dialogue (excluding CDO activities), political party gatherings, commercial events or activities that compete with the University of Amsterdam’s curricula are not permitted. 

Yes, you may put up flyers and posters with non-commercial messages on the special noticeboards. Near those noticeboards is a sign with instructions and the contact details of the service desk. For fire safety reasons and for the orderly conduct of teaching and research, informational material will be removed from other places. Informational material that incites hatred or violence or is threatening, intimidating or discriminatory to staff and/or students will be removed as well. 

Far from it. Indeed, the right to demonstrate is explicitly guaranteed in these new rules. The old rules said nothing about it. The UvA is now clear: demonstrating is allowed, but in a safe and peaceful manner and without disrupting teaching and research. This has now been translated into a set of agreements with roles and tasks. 

No, demonstrations and protests are allowed. At the University of Amsterdam, there is room for free discussion and debate, always with respect for each other and each other’s fundamental rights. The University of Amsterdam respects the right to protest and wants to facilitate it, taking into account the safety and well-being of students, staff and guests. However, conditions apply to ensure that demonstrations take place in a safe and respectful manner, without inconveniencing others or damaging the university. In addition, teaching and research must be allowed to continue. Those conditions include not inciting violence, hatred or discrimination, and not breaking into or blocking buildings (breach of the peace and security).

Reporting a protest in advance and providing a contact person ensures that the University of Amsterdam can contribute to safe and orderly proceedings. This makes it possible to make arrangements for the demonstration or protest and to prevent disruptions to teaching and research. 

Together, we can ensure a safe protest. During a protest, the Executive Board or deans will therefore try to stay in contact with the organiser(s). The presence of a recognisable organiser (e.g. one wearing a hi-vis vest) at the protest helps enormously. This does not mean that the absence of an organiser on site will automatically lead to the protest being banned. We will always look for safe ways to give the protest as much space as possible.  

The University of Amsterdam follows Dutch law in this regard. You may be asked to show identification for security reasons, such as to prevent unauthorised access or improper use of the buildings, for example by someone not studying or working at the University of Amsterdam. This contributes to the sense of safety and security on campus. 

Our security personnel are subject to protocols that they must follow at all times. This means, among other things, that they should never ask for identification without a justifiable reason, and they should always clearly explain on what grounds identification is requested.