University staff seek solution

University staff seek solution

JAKARTA (JP): After almost two years of conflict, displeased
staff members at Satya Wacana Christian University in Salatiga,
Central Java, have turned to the church to seek solace.

Th. Sumartana, a member of the Presidium of the Pro-Democracy
Group, met with Chairman of the Communion of Churches in
Indonesia (PGI), Soelarso Sopater, and other PGI leaders
yesterday. He told reporters, however, that the matter was
"extremely sensitive and complicated" and therefore could not be
conveyed to the media.

The Pro-Democracy Group consists of teachers and students who
are opposed to the "undemocratic" election of Rector John JOI
Ihalauw and the dismissal of his ardent critic Arief Budiman.

Sumartana, a lecturer at the university's postgraduate school,
was accompanied by Nico L. Kana, Richard Hutapea and Pradjarto,
all members of the Pro-Democracy Group.

Nico, who was head of the postgraduate school before being
dismissed from his position late last month, was given a warning
letter by the university's management on Tuesday along with his
colleagues Ariel Heryanto and Limson U. Sangalang.

The warning letter, which the ministry of manpower rules
mandatory before dismissal, invited them to meet with members of
the university's foundation to further discuss the situation.

The letter followed a moratorium signed earlier this week by
13 university staff members from the Pro-Democracy Group leading
to a total standstill of all academic activities, including
lectures, laboratory practice, tutoring, tests and final exams.

Budi Susilo from the Pro-Democracy Group, in a statement made
available to The Jakarta Post, explained that the moratorium
would be dissolved only after Satya Wacana's foundation members
and rector revoked several rulings issued by the university's
managers, including a letter dismissing lecturer Arief Budiman
last November.

The group also demanded the formation of a collective
leadership to replace the rector, "who has failed to end the
disputes, thus sacrificing all parties in the university over the
last two years."

Nico told the Post on Wednesday that the consent to go on
strike and the signing of the moratorium was done individually
but in their capacity as university staff members.

"But only the three of us will be dismissed -- on an
individual basis," he said.

The rector, Nico said, failed to see the substance of the
matter and instead considered only the formal aspects of the
problem, such as why the conflicts started in the first place.

Rector Ihalauw, in a telephone interview with the Post, said
that based on the university's policies, the staff members could
choose whether they intended to request unconditional leave,
expedited retirement or resignation.

"Or, they can stay with the university if -- after thinking
about it -- they agree to abide by the rules," he said.

He said the letter didn't indicate dismissal, yet.

"If they are fired, it will be based on their consent to go on
strike and on their signing of the moratorium. Such actions
cannot be tolerated," he said.

Ihalauw said he had approached several signatories of the
moratorium, "and I found out that some of them don't even know
what a moratorium is or its consequences."

He refused to disclose, however, how many people had given in,
only saying "quite a lot".

Conflict at the university started with the appointment of
Ihalauw as the new rector in May last year. Arief Budiman and
several senior lecturers claimed that the election process was
undemocratic and manipulated by the foundation in Ihalauw's
favor. (pwn)