Five UPN Veteran Yogyakarta Lecturers Proven to Have Committed Verbal Harassment
The Task Force for Prevention and Response to Violence in Higher Education (Satgas PPKPT) at UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta, following investigation and examination of the accused, complainants, and witnesses, has determined that five accused parties are guilty of verbal harassment as stipulated in Ministry of Education and Culture Regulation No. 55 of 2024.
Dr Iva Rachmawa, M.Si., Chair of the Satgas PPKPT at UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta, explained that the task force has processed reports received since Tuesday, 19 May 2026. According to the examination record, the Satgas PPKPT examined five accused parties, ten victims, and thirteen witnesses.
“The examination results demonstrate that five accused parties are proven to have committed verbal harassment as stipulated in Ministry of Education and Culture Regulation No. 55 of 2024 regarding Prevention and Response to Violence in Higher Education Environments,” Dr Iva stated in written remarks.
From the examination results, the five accused were found guilty of verbal harassment in the form of sexually-tinted remarks as defined under Article 12, paragraph (2), letter c of the Ministry regulation. Four of the accused have been imposed medium-level sanctions consisting of suspension from Tri Dharma (tri-mission of higher education) obligations for two years from the date the decision was made. They are also required to undergo psychological counselling with a psychologist appointed by the university, with costs borne by the perpetrators.
A fifth lecturer has been sanctioned with suspension from Tri Dharma activities for one year from the date the decision was made. For the visiting lecturer, the sanction prevents him from teaching at UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta any further.
Responding to narratives circulating about eight suspected perpetrators of violence, the Satgas PPKPT clarified that to date, five reports have been received and processed through examination procedures. The task force emphasised that reporting channels remain open and all individuals who have experienced, witnessed, or possess information regarding alleged violence at UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta can file complaints through official Satgas PPKPT channels.
“The university affirms that all forms of violence, including verbal harassment, cannot be tolerated. Such actions create discomfort, insecurity, and unhealthy academic relations,” Dr Iva stated.
UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta is committed to continuously strengthening governance of violence prevention and response within the campus environment. Institutional evaluation, strengthening of reporting mechanisms, victim protection, and education for the academic community will be ongoing to ensure the campus remains a safe, healthy, dignified, and ethical learning space for students, lecturers, and administrative staff.
Rector Prof Dr Mohamad Irhas Effendi, M.Si., stated that the examination process and imposition of sanctions have been conducted in accordance with applicable mechanisms. He called on all parties to monitor the handling of this case objectively, responsibly, and with continued attention to victim protection.
“Based on the Satgas PPKPT recommendation, we are committed to ensuring a campus environment that is safe, dignified, inclusive, just, and free from all forms of violence,” the Rector affirmed.
Based on the Satgas PPKPT recommendation, the Rector imposed sanctions on five accused parties proven to have committed verbal harassment during Tri Dharma activities, as outlined in Rector Decision Nos 1538/UN62/TP/KEP/2026, 1539/UN62/TP/KEP/2026, 1540/UN62/TP/KEP/2026, 1541/UN62/TP/KEP/2026, and 1542/UN62/TP/KEP/2026, issued on 22 May 2026. For one lecturer receiving severe administrative sanctions, the sanction is imposed at the ministerial level pursuant to Ministry of Education and Culture Regulation No. 55 of 2024 and Government Regulation No. 94 of 2021 on civil servant discipline.