On Monday, June 9, the initiative "Rebellious University," comprising professors, researchers, and academic staff from the University of Belgrade, has announced a protest outside the Government of Serbia under the slogan "Faculties at a Crossroads." The organizers have called on educators, students, high school graduates, parents, and citizens to join in solidarity with the university community.

Some professors have indicated this protest marks the beginning of a more determined struggle, emphasizing they will remain at this Belgrade crossroads indefinitely.

Velimir Šećerov, Dean of the Faculty of Geography, expressed concerns regarding the university's current predicament, stating, "It seems to me that the University has been at a crossroads for a long time." He highlighted the urgency of decisions that could affect the academic year, including student enrollments and securing the university's financial stability.

He noted that while some universities have received admission quotas, the University of Belgrade has yet to finalize its plans, which he believes could be an undue pressure favoring private institutions.

Voja Radovanović, Dean of the Faculty of Physics, remarked that he will participate in the protest, underscoring that a decline of the university is tantamount to a decline in liberty.

The protest organizers have cited intensifying pressures on university autonomy and institutional repression against higher education employees.

They aim to stress that education should not be used as a political tool and advocate for the principles of free thought and academic inquiry as foundations of any democratic society.

The protest participants have articulated three principal demands: the disbandment of the working group drafting a new Higher Education Law and the initiation of an open and inclusive public discussion; the urgent repeal of recent amendments to regulations governing university standards, which they claim have unlawful effects; and the adoption of budgetary quotas for university enrollments by the end of June.

Professor Biljana Stojković from the Faculty of Biology stated that the announced protest highlights the university's critical moment and the collective strength necessary to heal the education system.

Noting the University of Belgrade's historical significance, she emphasized its recognition on global rankings, such as being among the top 1.9% for educational quality.

Stojković cited governmental actions perceived as threats to the university's existence, including an unconstitutional regulation reducing academic workload for faculty, which she argues aims to diminish salaries while tightening control over educational practices.

She warned that the implementation of this regulation would undermine the integrity of the university, potentially reducing it to a status lower than higher education institutions.

Stojković also expressed concerns regarding the proposed amendments to the Higher Education Law, which she believes endanger public universities by promoting private institutions at the expense of state-funded education.

She criticized the lack of open discussions within the academic community about these changes.

Concerns extend to the Ministry of Education's plans to prohibit the enrollment of budgetary students during ongoing protests, a move that Stojković argues could collapse public faculties and deprive future students of educational opportunities.

A recent video circulating on social media features representatives from the University of Belgrade appealing to the Serbian government for a decision on the enrollment of new students.

They highlighted that the university, which has been operational for over two centuries, has only ceased operations during historical events, such as the First Serbian Uprising and during occupations in the World Wars.

Minister of Education Dejan Vuk Stanković responded, indicating that faculties that compensate for missed classes will be granted quotas for enrolling new students, while those failing to do so will be unable to enroll due to lost academic years.