- Campus
- 21/05/2025
Homeless former teacher asks for room, gets “much goodwill"
“Does TU/e have a room available in Plaza Luna or Vestide that I can use temporarily?” asks Gert Regterschot in an email to Rector Silvia Lenaerts. The rector visited him earlier this week because she learned that the former TU/e lecturer has recently become homeless. “Unfortunately, we can’t make any commitments to him,” says Lenaerts.
Regterschot, who, for decades, has been teaching students under the stairs in the Luna building six days a week – without pay – has spent several nights with an acquaintance and in a ho(s)tel since being evicted from his home. Students and staff raised money for this through a fundraising campaign on social media. He also spent a night in an armchair in the hall of Luna.
Next, according to Regterschot, he faces placement in a homeless shelter. He would rather avoid that, so he greatly appreciated the rector’s visit and consideration. “It was a pleasant and constructive conversation.” According to Regterschot, the rector asked him what he needed and he asked her for a temporary accommodation on or near campus. However, the rector could not make any commitments.
A start
“It moves me when I read stories about him and so I wanted to know how he’s doing.” The rector asked Regterschot (66) whether he has enough food and a place to sleep, and she was happy to hear that he does. According to Lenaerts, he clearly feels a strong connection to the university and its students. “But we can’t make any commitments to him,” she writes in response to Cursor’s questions.
Was he expecting more? “When you’ve been waiting for recognition and outstanding wages for as long as I have, everything can take a little longer,” says the former TU/e lecturer. Commitment or not, he says there is “lots of goodwill.” “During our conversation, Silvia said she wants to help me in every way she can. So that’s a good sign. I call it a moral commitment; it’s a start, at least.”
Eviction
The Executive Board has been in contact with Regterschot many times in the past and his case has been reviewed multiple times. According to the board, he has not held an appointment since 1995. However, Regterschot maintains that he was never dismissed and is entitled to (back) pay.
For that reason, Regterschot does not receive any benefits. Due to accumulated rent arrears, he was evicted from his home last week. A few years ago, he was also facing eviction, but this was prevented after TU/e students and staff launched a large-scale crowdfunding campaign.
In 2023, his case received a lot of media attention. This prompted TU/e to publish a statement on its website.
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