Protest at Satya Wacana

Protest at Satya Wacana

SALATIGA, Central Java: Several hundred students and teachers
of Satya Wacana Christian University staged a peaceful
demonstration yesterday in protest of the management's inability
to resolve the year-old conflict sparked by last year's dismissal
of a popular lecturer.

Under the heavy presence of security officers, the protesters
criticized rector John JOI Ihalauw for his inability to end the
dispute which has occasionally broken into physical clashes
between opposing camps.

The tension was triggered by the dismissal of outspoken
academic Arief Budiman in November last year for disciplinary
reasons. His supporters describe the dismissal as unfair and are
demanding his reinstatement.

Last month, Arief won the legal battle over his firing but the
university's management has said it will appeal.

The demonstrators filed a petition with the management and the
founding churches, saying that lecturers will go on strike until
the dispute is settled. (har/pan)