Sciences Po: Mathias Vicherat will have to distance himself from topics of sexual and gender-based violence upon his return

They met discreetly, twice, on January 12 and 23: the ten members of the commission created in mid-December 2023 to comment on the timetable and modalities for the end of the Sciences Po director’s recall period confirmed the date of his return, Monday 29.

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However, the commission — composed of members of the National Political Science Foundation’s board of trustees and the institute’s board, as well as the president of the academic council and the student life and education council — is asking Mathias Vicherat to distance himself from topics related to sexual and gender-based violence while the preliminary investigation launched by the Paris prosecutor’s office brings its conclusions.

“By this date, the commission calls on the principal to take the administrative measures necessary to resolve issues related to VSS in accordance with the school rules. (sexual and gender-based violence) », according to a press release sent to students and staff on Thursday, January 25. The director could delegate this mission to the rector of Paris, as was the case during his withdrawal.

An inquest was ordered on 4 December 2023, after two days of police custody for Mathias Vicherat and his partner Anissa Bonnefont, who accused each other of domestic violence. No complaints or railings were filed on either side. Mathias Vicherat finally announced his temporary withdrawal on 11 December in a message in which he believed that the management functions “imposes, more than anything else, a duty of example”. This is indicated by the Paris prosecutor’s office World that this investigation is still ongoing and that he has nothing to say about its content.

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The commission sets a number of conditions for the director’s return. He expects Mathias Vicherat to speak ” as soon as possible “ before two decision-making boards of the institution (the board of the Institute and the board of the National Foundation for Political Science). “will present the measures that he will implement for the purpose of reconstruction (PUSH) trust”. According to information from Worldboth meetings are scheduled to take place on January 30 and 31.

When the preliminary investigation is concluded, the two councils – which elected him in November 2021 for a five-year term that can be extended twice – will decide whether or not to renew their confidence in Mathias Vicherat. It will also come back to them “to monitor and evaluate the restoration of that trust and to carry out its duties with the highest standards”clarifies the commission, which notes with concern “the weakening of trust in principals that manifests itself in the communities that make up the institution”. These imperatives include “good management”, “Decision making consultation” or “improving the social climate”.

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