Groninger Studentencorps Vindicat atque Polit

The Groninger Studenten Corps Vindicat atque Polit (Latin for Maintain and Refine) is the oldest Dutch student association and was founded on February the 4th, 1815 as a reaction to attacks on students from local citizens. The first rector of the senate was B.J. Winter. Nowadays Vindicat is the second largest student organization in Groningen, a city in the North of The Netherlands, with nearly 2500 members.

Vindicat building at Grote Markt 27 in Groningen.

Vindicat's Society building is located in the heart of Groningen and is called Mutua Fides (Mutual Trust or Confidence) and plays a large role in the social life of its members. Vindicat is also home to cultural and sport sub-organizations like GSR Aegir. In 2015, Vindicat celebrated its 200th anniversary with its 40th lustrum festival.

In 2005, a copy of Mutua Fides on a scale of 1:25 was built in the miniature city Madurodam.

Controversy

Vindicat's 1997 hazing caused the death of 18-year-old Reinout Pfeiffer. The organisation had been warned to take measures, but in 2001, 2005 and 2016 hazing rituals caused further injuries, in addition to incidents of sexism in 2016 and 2017. It was also discovered Vindicat forced members to sign contracts that banned them from talking to the media. After accusations of disorderly behaviour in a restaurant Vindicat's yearly subsidy from the University of Groningen was suspended in September 2017. [1] In March 2020 900 members of Vindicat travelled to northern Italy despite warnings it was a high risk hazard area for Coronavirus infections. The group returned earlier after the trip received national attention. Four of the students were tested, but got cleared. [2] In December 2020, a leaked video of a party on board of a coach bus by 50 members of Vindicat who refused to take any Corona-restrictions (mouth masks, social distancing), caused further controversy.

Images of Vindicat and Mutua Fides
  • Conversation Hall
  • Reading Room
  • Main entrance
  • Cover of an 1854 Vindicat students' song book

See also

References
  1. "Background: The reasons why Gronings studentbody Vindicat is under fire". Nu.nl. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  2. "Background: GGD takes measures for return of 900 Vindicat members from Italy". Nu.nl. Retrieved 5 March 2020.

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