'We need to talk about the deep-rooted sexism inside student societies'

In the book, which has no English translation as of yet, we follow Eline and David in the early days at university. Eline is a member of UVSV, and David is a member of USC. Readers follow the characters along the Utrecht canals, in their student houses, and to and from the pub. There are funny or dirty hazing scenes and special bonding moments, but also distressing cases of sexism, displays of power, and pressure to perform. A fictional narrative but very much based on real life, therefore. Van den Berge was inspired by her own experiences as a student of International Development Studies and News & Information, when she was a UVSV member.

The power of the bond between women

The idea to write this book came to her years ago, but only recently came to fruition. "I actually came up with this idea 25 years ago, when I joined UVSV. I ended up in a really nice house with nine other girls, who are still my friends today. Even then, I wanted to describe the power that a bond between women can have. I always felt very empowered among the women in my sorority. There aren't many other places where you are so free from the male gaze. I could be myself there, act crazy, be loud, and not hold my stomach in. Women there felt so free, in a world where that is not a given. I think that's wonderful."

Initially, Van den Berge envisioned making a documentary series about the good and dark sides of student associations, a world she knows from the inside. The idea was to have associations open their doors (even if just a little) and show the changes they were making to prevent abuse. She spoke to all the boards. Many reacted positively to her idea, but one of them refused to participate, so the documentary could not go ahead.

This way, I can shine a light on a discreet world

In the years that followed, Dutch student fraternities made the news several times due to reports of unpleasant or inappropriate incidents. For example, USC members caused an uproar in 2024 when some of its members made a list of UVSV members, classifying them according to perceived attractiveness and sexual performance. The list, which also contained the women's contact details, was circulated online. Two years earlier, a video made headlines in which the counterparts of USC in Amsterdam, ASC, refer to women in a misogynistic way. 

When Van der Berge saw this, something snapped inside her. "I was so angry. The people who gave the speech were in leadership positions, so they should have been working to change the culture within the fraternity. One of them was literally responsible for this, by the way. I lost heart and picked up my pen again."

She says that a lot is kept behind closed doors because the fraternity wants to appear as a good association to the outside world. "That's why I ultimately chose to write a novel rather than a non-fiction book. It allows me to shine a light on a discreet world and further stimulate the conversation." Additionally, writing fiction gave her complete freedom to write what she wanted, without having to ask the student associations for permission.

‘They tell you that you are either a frigid bitch or a slut.’

Van den Berge is fascinated by the two student associations "because they reflect the battle of the sexes that we see in society, only on a smaller scale. The moment Eline and her sorority friends join the men, something changes. She becomes self-conscious, goes on guard, and her clothes feel tighter. As for the men, there is still a struggle against and for women, which perhaps happens unconsciously to a certain extent."

This is something she experienced herself at the time. "And, unfortunately, it is something that many women still struggle with to this day. Suddenly, you are being judged on your body, how you look, what you wear or how fat or thin you are. You are told that you are either a frigid bitch or a slut. That is no small thing, especially at that age."

These two student associations reflect the battle of the sexes in society, only on a small scale

In the United States, extensive research has been conducted on fraternity members and student associations as a whole. These studies show that men in fraternities are three times more likely to commit sexual violence than other men who are affiliated with a student association. In the Netherlands, hardly any research has been done on this subject, but Maastricht University has taken the first step. Students who were part of student associations were also more likely to report sexual violence.

Van den Berge is concerned about the recent events involving student associations in the Netherlands. "The speeches at ASC were so hateful and appalling that I was surprised they weren't prosecuted. That would have been the perfect opportunity to take action against the ones leading the fraternity. This included a senator and someone from the hazing committee. That's how you tackle the root of the problem."

UVSV has been very important for women when it comes to gaining space within Utrecht University and the city of Utrecht

Nevertheless, Van den Berge says that the book does not intend to attack student societies or call their existence into question. On the contrary. "UVSV has been very important for women in terms of gaining space within Utrecht University and the city of Utrecht. The same applies to sororities in other cities." 

UVSV was founded in 1899 to provide women with a place in a male-dominated world, at a time when attending university wasn't commonplace for them. "I would like to offer a counterpoint to those who wonder why women still want to join UVSV or other student societies, given all the sexism that exists. As if that wasn't the case everywhere else in society, and as if women weren't sensible enough to choose for themselves. Such statements really do women a disservice. We might as well all just stay in bed forever."

She hopes that women will dare to speak out even more. Her novel also discusses sexual abuse, and Van den Berge shows the power of speaking out, however difficult that may be. "If something unpleasant has happened to you sexually, or you find yourself on a 'slut list', you may feel deeply ashamed, but that shame is not yours. It belongs to the other person who did this to you."

Men in fraternities are under a lot of pressure to score, to be successful

Nevertheless, she is understanding towards the men in fraternities, which is why she has chosen to follow a male protagonist in the story. David struggles with finding his place in the fraternity and with what is expected of him. "Men in fraternities are under a lot of pressure to score, to be successful. You have to end up in the most prominent club, live in a prestigious house, and you are egged on by older members to say and do things to women that probably don't feel right. It's not justifiable, but an 18-year-old boy may not always be able to counteract all that pressure. That culture has to change."

In her book, Van den Berge puts into words things that are not normally discussed by USC and UVSV members; things that the associations and their members are usually not keen to see come to light. Yet she is not afraid of the negative reactions her book might receive.

"I fully support this book. We need to talk about the deep-rooted sexism that predominates in student associations. It has taken on such extreme forms that silence is no longer an option. I also believe that we, former members, must take responsibility for this. Ten years ago, student associations in the Netherlands were on the verge of becoming cultural heritage, but thanks to the 'slut lists' made by Vindicat (USC's counterpart in Groningen, Ed.), that did not happen. Everyone may stay quiet, but social criticism will soon become so great that the fraternity will simply no longer be accepted. The alternative is becoming more open, and former members getting more openly involved."

Van den Berge encourages people in the media, politics or other public arenas to speak up when things go wrong and become more actively involved with student associations. "It has not proved useful to leave this to the associations themselves. They urgently need transparency and a cultural change from within, not just symbolic politics for the outside world. It would be great if someone like Wopke Hoekstra (the European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, Ed.), a former member of the fraternity in Leiden, would visit the student societies to engage in a conversation."

Uf, by Jojanneke van den Berge, is available at bookstores as of today, October 14.