Hundreds strike against rector

SALATIGA, Central Java (JP): Around 500 students and a number of teachers at the rift-ridden Satya Wacana University staged a demonstration yesterday to demand the resignation of Rector John JOI Ihalauw.

"Go away greedy Rector. Return my democracy," the students yelled.

Student spokesman Adi Prasetyo told The Jakarta Post that they had previously planned not to hold another demonstration until after the leaders of a number of churches, which established the college, finished their deliberation on the conflict.

However, the rector's latest decision to fire five biology teachers prompted the strike, he said. Ihalauw previously dismissed dozens of other teachers from various schools.

Adi said that Ihalauw also appointed a number of junior teachers to replace the dismissed lecturers. "The quality of the junior teachers is far below the ones dismissed, that's why we refuse to be taught by them," he said.

The students are also protesting the rector's decision to shorten Law School courses from six months to only ten days.

"It's the students again who become the victims of this prolonged conflict," said Hanityo Sumitro, an official from the association of private colleges.

Apart from yesterday's and previous demonstrations, the campus has been deserted following the schools' decision not to conduct any activities.

The schools of agriculture, engineering, science and mathematics, law, biology, theology and pedagogy have refused to hold classes or admit new students for the new school year. The school of economics is the only school which has refused to join the boycott. (har/swe)