Greek Universities

None of the previous university reform laws were truly enforced, so that we might have seen the problems and dysfunctions of the system in order to remedy them.

This summer the government has a duty to push forward reforms that require immediate attention, especially those that will have a long-term impact.

The absence of political freedom during the dictatorship was followed by an intense, party-based politicisation in Greek universities after its collapse.

Violence continues even after the government passed a law pertaining to universities which provides for security systems and the creation of an autonomous service to protect the academic community.

The toil and passion of those who really do their work at universities co-exist with a sense of resignation because of the violent behaviour and the destruction wrought by troublemakers., and so progress is pitted against regression.

The issue is that all types of competent authorities in this country should at long last understand that when the press points out problems, they should not skirmish with it, but instead they should engage in earnest self-criticism.

Every year, the plethora of Greek universities admit almost all high school graduates. About 30 percent of them never graduate, but there are faculties where only three percent of those admitted will get a degree!

From now on whoever remains silent in the face of such violence at universities is co-responsible. Whoever tolerates it shares the guilt.

The rector believes that his life is in danger and other academics believe that worse things can happen, such as arson.

University students demanded the opportunity to vote electronically in campus polls so that the decisions that will be mad will be as representative as possible of their will and not of the will of others.

The education ministry is rightly gearing up to establish a sense of security at universities, but since there are many taboos nothing can be done without the participation of the academic community.

A state that has squandered so much of taxpayers’ money has no right to be so frugal in funding university dormitories.

Schools are unable to take educational initiatives due to a suffocating surveillance and the requirement that centrally drafted curriculums be strictly adhered to.

Due to the admissions system between 35-40 percent of university faculties are expected to admit students who have not earned passing grades.

Here, university professors have been attacked and university infrastructure has been destroyed and we treat it as simply part of daily life.

It has been said that universities should not be linked with the market. Must they be linked with unemployment? Should faculties that are already over-packed mushroom further and offer degrees with no value in the market?

Academic freedom is of vital importance for the free exchange of ideas and knowledge, but it cannot exist in an environment of fear and terror.