University staff seek solution<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): After almost two years of conflict, displeased
\nstaff members at Satya Wacana Christian University in Salatiga,
\nCentral Java, have turned to the church to seek solace.<\/p>\n
Th. Sumartana, a member of the Presidium of the Pro-Democracy
\nGroup, met with Chairman of the Communion of Churches in
\nIndonesia (PGI), Soelarso Sopater, and other PGI leaders
\nyesterday. He told reporters, however, that the matter was
\n\"extremely sensitive and complicated\" and therefore could not be
\nconveyed to the media.<\/p>\n
The Pro-Democracy Group consists of teachers and students who
\nare opposed to the \"undemocratic\" election of Rector John JOI
\nIhalauw and the dismissal of his ardent critic Arief Budiman.<\/p>\n
Sumartana, a lecturer at the university's postgraduate school,
\nwas accompanied by Nico L. Kana, Richard Hutapea and Pradjarto,
\nall members of the Pro-Democracy Group.<\/p>\n
Nico, who was head of the postgraduate school before being
\ndismissed from his position late last month, was given a warning
\nletter by the university's management on Tuesday along with his
\ncolleagues Ariel Heryanto and Limson U. Sangalang.<\/p>\n
The warning letter, which the ministry of manpower rules
\nmandatory before dismissal, invited them to meet with members of
\nthe university's foundation to further discuss the situation.<\/p>\n
The letter followed a moratorium signed earlier this week by
\n13 university staff members from the Pro-Democracy Group leading
\nto a total standstill of all academic activities, including
\nlectures, laboratory practice, tutoring, tests and final exams.<\/p>\n
Budi Susilo from the Pro-Democracy Group, in a statement made
\navailable to The Jakarta Post, explained that the moratorium
\nwould be dissolved only after Satya Wacana's foundation members
\nand rector revoked several rulings issued by the university's
\nmanagers, including a letter dismissing lecturer Arief Budiman
\nlast November.<\/p>\n
The group also demanded the formation of a collective
\nleadership to replace the rector, \"who has failed to end the
\ndisputes, thus sacrificing all parties in the university over the
\nlast two years.\"<\/p>\n
Nico told the Post on Wednesday that the consent to go on
\nstrike and the signing of the moratorium was done individually
\nbut in their capacity as university staff members.<\/p>\n
\"But only the three of us will be dismissed -- on an
\nindividual basis,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The rector, Nico said, failed to see the substance of the
\nmatter and instead considered only the formal aspects of the
\nproblem, such as why the conflicts started in the first place.<\/p>\n
Rector Ihalauw, in a telephone interview with the Post, said
\nthat based on the university's policies, the staff members could
\nchoose whether they intended to request unconditional leave,
\nexpedited retirement or resignation.<\/p>\n
\"Or, they can stay with the university if -- after thinking
\nabout it -- they agree to abide by the rules,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said the letter didn't indicate dismissal, yet.<\/p>\n
\"If they are fired, it will be based on their consent to go on
\nstrike and on their signing of the moratorium. Such actions
\ncannot be tolerated,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ihalauw said he had approached several signatories of the
\nmoratorium, \"and I found out that some of them don't even know
\nwhat a moratorium is or its consequences.\"<\/p>\n
He refused to disclose, however, how many people had given in,
\nonly saying \"quite a lot\".<\/p>\n
Conflict at the university started with the appointment of
\nIhalauw as the new rector in May last year. Arief Budiman and
\nseveral senior lecturers claimed that the election process was
\nundemocratic and manipulated by the foundation in Ihalauw's
\nfavor. (pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/university-staff-seek-solution-1447893297",
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