Trouble brewing on university campuses

Trouble brewing on university campuses

JAKARTA (JP): Universities have had their own share of
problems this year, and a series of brawls at some campuses
tainted the image of the country's intellectual community.

Many attributed this to the university students regiment
(Menwa), who are recruited and trained by the Armed Forces and
is seen as part of the nation's self defense force.

Critics of the regiment said Menwa members have abused their
power, bullying other students in campuses.

The issue was raised by members of the House of
Representatives at a hearing with Minister of Education and
Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro. They questioned whether or not
there is a case to eliminate Menwa given the negative reputation
its members have earned.

The government, responding to the criticisms, agreed to review
the way Menwa is managed and supervised but ruled out disbanding
the regiment.

There was also a heated debate on the extent to which the
government is empowered to interfere in the affairs of
privately-owned universities.

Wardiman disclosed his plan to regulate the management of
private universities and colleges with a view to protect the
interest of students, who pay hefty fees, from the impacts of
conflicts among the university administrators.

The private colleges viewed the plan with suspicion, fearing too
much interference from the government.

The government did not have to look far for an example to
justify its proposal. There were plenty of examples in which
students have been affected because of internal disputes at
universities.

The trouble at Satya Wacana Christian University in Salatiga, for
instance, is the most widely reported this year.

The expulsion of vocal scholar Arief Budiman, who is a staff
lecturer at Satya Wacana, triggered a wave of protest in the
campus. That in turn led to the removal of Rector John Ihalauw.

So far, the government appears to have managed to stay out of the
conflict, but its case for intervention could gain momentum if the
university administrator fails to resolve the conflict once and for
all. (pwn)