Brawl at IPB

Brawl at IPB

From Republika

A brawl that broke out among hundreds of Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) students, reported by Republika on Sept. 11, struck me as strange, scary and disillusioning. Strange, because it is almost impossible that IPB students are capable of fighting, considering that the academic system being developed is wasteful of study time and the IPB students' sense of responsibility toward their campus and their parents is very high.

When the institute's activities became more centered at the Darmaga campus and the package system was renewed, IPB's face also changed. Like other changes, it has two sides. The positive side is characterized by dynamism, constructiveness and multiple effects, while the negative side is horrifying and always creates distortion. The brawl was the result of the change.

The students are shocked, confused and need clarification on many things including the regulations on the use of sports facilities, a small matter but perhaps overlooked or absent from our minds all the time.

It is necessary for all sides to take a wise attitude to alter the negative face of the change. An emotional stance will serve no purpose. I am sure that rector Soleh Solahuddin can become a wise mentor for the students.

The farmers are sad because their plants have been affected by the drought. The fish are losing their habitat and dying. The forests are on fire and we do not know how to quell the fire.

The students' brawl has saddened their farmer parents. But, nothing is more dangerous to parents' spirits than the fading of their children's ideals. Their children had to leave the school, because they smashed in their teachers' windshields.

DEDIK SUPARDIONO

Former chairman of the

IPB Ekalokasari dormitory