Five UPN Yogyakarta Lecturers Deactivated Following Proven Verbal Harassment

UPN ‘Veteran’ Yogyakarta has imposed sanctions on five lecturers reported in sexual violence cases by deactivating them from their ‘Tridharma’ (the three pillars of higher education: education, research, and community service) duties. Four lecturers have been suspended for two years, while one has been suspended for one year.

The decision to suspend the five lecturers was based on the results of an internal investigation and recommendations from the Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education (Satgas PPKS). The Rector of UPN ‘Veteran’ Yogyakarta, Prof. Dr. Mohamad Irhas Effendi, M.Si., stated that the investigation and subsequent imposition of sanctions were conducted in accordance with established mechanisms.

The university emphasised that any form of violence within the academic environment is intolerable, as it contradicts the university’s values of being safe, dignified, inclusive, and free from all forms of violence. “Based on the recommendations of the Satgas PPKS, we are committed to ensuring a campus space that is safe, dignified, inclusive, just, and free from all forms of violence,” Irhas said in an official statement.

According to the recommendations, the Rector imposed sanctions on the five individuals proven to have engaged in verbal harassment during the execution of their academic duties. These sanctions were formalised in a Rector’s Decree issued on 22 May 2026.

Furthermore, one lecturer from the Faculty of Mineral and Energy Technology (FTME), who had previously received sanctions in 2023, has now received additional heavy administrative sanctions. This is due to the discovery of other aggravating offences during the investigation, although these were not sexual violence cases. Consequently, referring to Permendikbud Ristek No. 55 of 2024 and Government Regulation (PP) No. 94 of 2021 regarding Civil Servant (PNS) discipline, the final decision on sanctions rests with the ministry. The individual now faces the threat of dismissal from their status as a civil servant.

Dr. Iva Rachmawati, M.Si., Chair of the Satgas PPKS at UPN ‘Veteran’ Yogyakarta, explained that the task force has been processing reports received since Tuesday, 19 May 2026. Based on the Investigation Minutes, the task force examined five respondents, 10 victims, and 13 witnesses.

“The results of the examination show that the five respondents were proven to have committed acts of verbal harassment as regulated under Permendikbud Ristek Number 55 of 2024 concerning the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Higher Education Environment,” said Iva.

According to the official statement from UPN ‘Veteran’ Yogyakarta, the five respondents were found guilty of verbal harassment involving sexually-themed language, as referenced in Article 12, paragraph (2), point c of Permendikbud Ristek Number 55 of 2024. The five individuals were given moderate sanctions in various forms depending on their specific actions.

Four of the respondents have been sanctioned with deactivation from their Tridharma obligations for two years from the date of the decision. Additionally, these four are required to undergo psychological counselling with a psychologist appointed by the university, with the costs to be borne by the perpetrators. The fifth lecturer has been deactivated from Tridharma activities for one year.

UPN further emphasised that any form of violence, including verbal harassment, cannot be tolerated as such actions create discomfort, insecurity, and unhealthy academic relationships. The university remains committed to strengthening the governance of violence prevention and handling on campus through institutional evaluation, enhanced reporting mechanisms, victim protection, and education for the entire academic community.