Satya Wacana University rectorate dissolved<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Following weeks of unrest sparked by the
\ndismissal of renowned scholar Arief Budiman, a presidium will be
\nformed to take over the leadership of the Satya Wacana Christian
\nUniversity in Central Java once the rectorate is dissolved.<\/p>\n
The five member presidium will be assigned to restore order on
\nthe conflict-ridden campus, to reactivate the senate and to
\noverhaul rules on rectorial election.<\/p>\n
According to press reports yesterday, university officials
\nhave one week as of last Wednesday to elect presidium members.<\/p>\n
The liquidation of the rectorate has put critics of
\n"undemocratically " elected rector John JOI Ihalauw on the upper
\nhand and Ihalauw on the defensive.<\/p>\n
Calling for Ihalauw's dismissal has been the main focus of the
\nwaves of demonstrations involving thousands of students and
\nlecturers opposing Arief's dismissal last month.<\/p>\n
The decision to form the presidium was made on Wednesday by
\nkey figures representing the churches founding the university,
\nSatya Wacana managing foundation and groups opposing the
\ndismissal of Arief, at a meeting in the Kaliurang resort, north
\nof Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
But Ihalauw said the decision was not final yet and that he
\nwill continue to carry out his day-to-day jobs until the
\nfoundation rules otherwise.<\/p>\n
The key figures did not decide the status of Arief, a Harvard
\neducated sociologist and well-known government critic, who was
\ndismissed for disciplinary reasons.<\/p>\n
But Radius Prawiro, a former senior cabinet minister who is
\nplaying a mediatory role in the conflict, hinted that the
\ndismissal of Arief might be reviewed by the presidium.<\/p>\n
"Anything about Arief's status is possible for review," said
\nthe former coordinating minister for economy and finance.<\/p>\n
Upon hearing news about the liquidation of the rectorate,
\nstudents opposing Ihalauw's action to dismiss Arief a month ago,
\ndismantled the numerous posters they had put up in every corner
\nof the university in Salatiga.<\/p>\n
Also on Wednesday, Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman
\nDjojonegoro received a petition from hundreds of students and
\nteachers of the university demanded that Arief be reinstated.<\/p>\n
The petition, signed by 14 of the 25 senate members, 21
\nteachers with doctoral degrees, 106 teachers and 153 students,
\nwas submitted by Leila Ch. Budiman, a Satya Wacana University
\nlecturer and Arief's wife.<\/p>\n
Both Wardiman and Leila declined to comment on their 30-minute
\nmeeting. "I only conveyed my colleagues' message," said Leila,
\nwho is a well-known columnist. (pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/satya-wacana-university-rectorate-dissolved-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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