Academic freedom on campuses

According to a recently issued regulation, university rectors have the authority to either permit or ban academic activities, whether they be seminars, discussions, symposiums or any other activity. This refreshing regulation will enable campus autonomy to be established.

However, the events surrounding a discussion at the Surabaya Institute of Technology (ITS) between Aug.21 and 23 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of independence gives reason for concern. The hope that the rector's new authority would allow academic activities more leeway did not materialized.

If the ITS case was the indicator of whether relaxation of controls could be expected, the question now is: What difference is there between a rector's authority and the authority of parties outside campus?

The ITS case is worth observing because two equally unambiguous attitudes were displayed. The rector, using his authority issued a ban; the students, using their intellectual conscience, proceeded with the activity despite the ban.

What will the consequences be? We hope everything will be resolved on by only scholarly arguments. It may be true that some of the speakers invited were controversial, in particular Dr. Sri Bintang Pamungkas who at present is encountering many difficulties.

However, if his presence was the reason for banning the discussion, a clear explanation should have been given as to why Sri Bintang was considered unfit to speak at a respected center of learning. If he said something disagreeable, his statement could have been scientifically refuted, allowing Sri Bintang's or any other speaker's ideas to be accepted or rejected in a transparent manner.

-- Surabaya Pos