The student organizations of Bordeaux Montaigne University, shaken by a wave of sexist and sexual violence, particularly in the philosophy and archeology departments, do not intend to sit idly by. Representatives of Raised Fist, Bread and Roses, the Bordeaux Student Union, and the Student Union Federation (FSE) are publicly outraged this Tuesday at the ineffectiveness of the stop violence cell and the silence around these matters, which, in their opinion, can hardly be confined within the walls of the university.
In a press release dated November 7, the president of Bordeaux Montaigne University recalls that the disciplinary procedure concerning the implicated philosophy professor “is subject to confidentiality”, but the student organizations believe that it is possible to communicate general information on the work of the cell, without compromising it. They point to a lack of transparency and information among the entire university community, which feels “in the dark”.
A general meeting this Thursday
This Thursday, a general assembly is organized at the university, to mobilize students on the eve of the board of directors this Friday. It must examine a motion which requests “an anonymous assessment of the management protocol of these current affairs”, as explained by Jahan Lutz, elected to the board of directors and member of Poing Raised. “We denounce sexist and sexual violence in total silence in the university, students are only informed by press releases, without direct communication, this leads to closed discussions,” adds this elected official.
While the presidency of the University assures that the unit was notified from June 1, 2022, Barbara Stiegler confirms that she alerted the unit as early as March, about her case and that of the students, and that her hierarchy had been made aware of in December 2021. It was the rape complaint of this teacher-researcher against a fellow professor, former vice-president of the university, which opened the way to around ten complaints from students or former philosophy students. They report inappropriate behavior on the part of the teacher and, for some, harassment or sexual assault.
“The victims arrived at Ella’s house because they had no news from this cell and therefore from the university, they were waiting and in very great suffering,” reacts Annie Carrareto, co-founder of family planning , who works with Ella’s house. The structures have become civil parties in the procedure initiated by Barbara Stiegler. Some students have received feedback, but without this giving rise to psychological or legal support, according to Le Planning. “The disciplinary council, disoriented in Toulouse, confirmed that the students were only there to talk about the facts concerning Barbara, which is violent when you are yourself a victim,” adds Annie Carrareto. A situation strongly denied by the university which ensures that all cases were taken into account by the disciplinary council.
Return of the implicated professor to his post
In archaeology, there would be several victims of harassment who would have implicated a teacher, finally recently reinstated in the university staff after a decision of the administrative court which had judged his suspension unfair. The philosophy professor implicated by Barbara Stiegler is also back in front of the students since Monday, and the teacher-researcher has exercised her right of withdrawal. In a press release, the university explains this return by the fact “that an establishment does not have the power to suspend a colleague beyond twelve months in total”. “It’s scandalous,” says Annie Carrareto. And there are no protection and support measures for students, who are alleged victims.”
Student organizations fear that these cases are only the tip of the iceberg and would like the Stop Violence cell to be reformed. “The cell is entirely appointed by the presidency, which poses a problem of independence,” points out Petra Lou, a student member of Raised Fist. We are going to discuss it at the general assembly this Thursday but we think that it must be elected, that it represents all the components of the university and also includes trained staff. »