Students at Philological Faculty Block Building in Protest
Protest against the decision to resume classes amidst concerns about student representation and decision-making processes.
Students of the Philological Faculty in Belgrade have blocked access to the university building, effectively preventing professors from entering.
This action responds to the decision made by the Academic Council to resume classes on June 6, aiming to conclude the current academic year.
In a statement released on Instagram, the student assembly expressed that the student body had been fragmented into study groups earlier in the month.
They accused department heads of acting as representatives of the administration, alleging that this division allowed for manipulation of students.
The students claimed that professors were either unwilling or unable to provide clear answers to straightforward questions posed by them.
This perceived lack of engagement was also observed during the session of the Academic Council where critical decisions affecting the entire student body were discussed.
The statement highlighted concerns about the adequacy of a 97-minute deliberation for such significant issues.
Furthermore, the students noted that members of the Academic Council appeared to undermine democratic values by arguing that conducting a student referendum contradicted democratic decision-making principles.
They asserted that the outcome of such a vote would likely reveal substantial opposition among students to returning to classes under the proposed format.
The protestors posed rhetorical questions concerning the decision-making process, implying that a different outcome at the Medical Faculty would not have been similarly reconsidered until a desired result was achieved.
Additionally, they imagined an ideal scenario where the administration would acknowledge student opinions following a survey.
In a prior announcement, the students indicated plans to hold a referendum from June 15 to June 18, between the hours of 12 PM and 6 PM, asking the question: 'Do you support the commencement of class resumption in the 2024/2025 academic year under the model voted by the Academic Council?'
They concluded their statement by indicating that the outcome of this referendum would significantly influence their subsequent actions, asserting that the continuation of classes and the protest were mutually exclusive.
This action responds to the decision made by the Academic Council to resume classes on June 6, aiming to conclude the current academic year.
In a statement released on Instagram, the student assembly expressed that the student body had been fragmented into study groups earlier in the month.
They accused department heads of acting as representatives of the administration, alleging that this division allowed for manipulation of students.
The students claimed that professors were either unwilling or unable to provide clear answers to straightforward questions posed by them.
This perceived lack of engagement was also observed during the session of the Academic Council where critical decisions affecting the entire student body were discussed.
The statement highlighted concerns about the adequacy of a 97-minute deliberation for such significant issues.
Furthermore, the students noted that members of the Academic Council appeared to undermine democratic values by arguing that conducting a student referendum contradicted democratic decision-making principles.
They asserted that the outcome of such a vote would likely reveal substantial opposition among students to returning to classes under the proposed format.
The protestors posed rhetorical questions concerning the decision-making process, implying that a different outcome at the Medical Faculty would not have been similarly reconsidered until a desired result was achieved.
Additionally, they imagined an ideal scenario where the administration would acknowledge student opinions following a survey.
In a prior announcement, the students indicated plans to hold a referendum from June 15 to June 18, between the hours of 12 PM and 6 PM, asking the question: 'Do you support the commencement of class resumption in the 2024/2025 academic year under the model voted by the Academic Council?'
They concluded their statement by indicating that the outcome of this referendum would significantly influence their subsequent actions, asserting that the continuation of classes and the protest were mutually exclusive.
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