On 28 November, a group of students spent a night in the Faculty of Philosophy and Education Sciences and condemned denigrating verbal sexist behaviours to women by a professor of the Faculty, which happened last year, during their first academic year in the University.

In that time, a complaint was registered through the Faculty’s “complaints mailbox”, which was resolved there by meeting the student’s request, warning the professor of his behaviour, and setting up a tracking of his teaching activities when resumed.    

Once the denunciation was made public on Tuesday, the University’s Executive Council called an emergency meeting.

Some of the students, the vice-principal for Equality, Diversity and Sustainability, the University’s general secretary, the student’s delegate, the University’s manager, the director of the Gender Equality Unit, the University’s ombuds officer, the secretary and a vice-dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Education Science, and some member of the Faculty’s Equality Commission participated on the meeting held on Wednesday during the morning.

During the meeting, the Universitat de València expressed its determination upon fighting against these behaviours and condemning the facts. Thus, it was stated that the fight for defending equality, diversity, teaching quality, and respect for people’s dignity would continue. The students were introduced the University’s procedure for the Protocol against Harassment, which will be activated immediately if a complaint is made.

The University’s Executive Council is currently working on the University’s 3rd Equality Plan, aimed to training the university community (including the governing structures and bodies) on gender equality issues so gender mainstreaming is integrated within educational activities. Thus, it has been working with the Valencian Government through pacts to support women in the university community who have suffered gender violence.

The Office of the Principal expressed a zero tolerance for these attitudes and behaviours and calls on the community to make formal complaints when needed.