University installs rainbow sofa: ‘New and lasting symbol of diversity’

The university campus is one rainbow bench richer. With this, the peeling rainbow staircase, which will not be returning, has found a successor.

Tilburg University, known for its green campus, has become even more colorful. A rainbow bench was unveiled last Friday on the central square, at the foot of a tree. The Rainbow Sofa, a mosaic bench, symbolizes diversity and inclusivity on campus.

The rainbow bench, a social sofa of which there are already several on campus, replaces the rainbow staircase. To promote inclusivity, the university hoisted the rainbow flag as early as 2019. A year later, the stairs to the library were covered with colored stickers. The stickers, which peel and are difficult to keep clean, proved not to be durable.

Lasting symbol

With the rainbow sofa, there is now a ‘new and lasting symbol of diversity, inclusivity, and connection,’ said Vice Chair of the Executive Board Wilma de Koning at the unveiling. ‘It reflects exactly what a university should be: a place where people encounter perspectives different from their own and where everyone should feel welcome, seen, and respected.’

The university launched a competition for the design of the Rainbow Sofa. ‘Creating an inclusive campus is not something that can be decided from the top down,’ said De Koning. The jury selected various elements from the submissions. The final design shows ‘people coming together and standing in unity around a peaceful olive tree,’ explains Viara Vassileva, chair of the LGBTQIA+ student association Umbrella Association.

True inclusivity

The back of the sofa was also carefully considered, Vassileva explains. ‘An honourable mention is the smiley face design element created by someone with a physical and mental disability.’ Vassileva quotes the message conveyed by this: ‘True inclusivity on campus lies in including people who will never be able to attend university.’

_Advertentie.