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