Although the suspension of classes on the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Zagreb, voted for by the Faculty board on April the 22nd (which merely formally confirmed the status quo at the Faculty), expired on April the 26th, the formal blockade continues until the authorities issue further statements. Upon his return from Brasil, dean Jurkovic called a meeting of the Board of Heads of Departments which took place today at 2 o`clock, without the presence of student representatives. Any decisions altering the faculty administration’s position on the blockade will be discussed and commented on by the plenum.
After a short period of calm, the Croatian media (primarily the printed media) began with a new wave of defamatory articles which we will no longer address individually. These articles merely repeat the many times refuted pseudo-arguments and platitudes. The only new element in the media representation of the student initiative is the heinous and socially inappropriate cynicism of popular columnists. This cynicism, coming from an allegedly neutral, but actually patronizing position, tries to portray the students as a frivolous, drunken, inarticulate mass which is merely staging a juvenile show inspired by a tradition of student rebellion. These columnists show a complete lack of political literacy and basic social sensibility for questions of fundamental public interest.
The students appreciate the support coming, in various forms, from all segments of Croatian society. We are, of course, referring to the support which, unlike the one coming the authorities, is not merely nominal and dictated by petty, short-term political interests. This list of legal and physical entities which have expressed support for the initiative, as well as the student declarations and all related materials are available on the www.slobodnifilozofski.bloger.hr blog. The schedule of the alternative educational programs is also available on the blog. Free preparation courses for entrance exams are also starting this week.
We welcome and support the initiative of our colleagues from the universities of Rijeka, Zadar, Osijek and Split, especially the faculties that have only recently joined the blockade. You are welcome to visit us at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; our doors are open to everyone.
Tags: press release