A closed-door, four-hour meeting among the Rectors addressed pressing issues and revealed significant disagreements. The atmosphere was described as “electrifying,” and the consensus was to “agree to disagree.” The Rectors responded positively to the support expressed by Minister of Education Sofia Zacharaki and Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Nikos Papaioannou.
Two primary topics dominated the Rectors’ Conference: university security and the expulsion of “eternal” students.
Regarding the security of universities, tensions ran high as some Rectors attempted to downplay the situation to protect the reputations of their institutions. A few even placed blame on the state and law enforcement for not intervening effectively.
The disagreement intensified when the focus shifted from security to the issue of university funding.
According to reliable sources, while many Rectors asserted the urgent need for immediate measures to enhance university safety through disciplinary councils and legal reforms, others voiced skepticism about the severity of violence on campus. They claimed that the situation was improving. Furthermore, they stated that many individuals involved in violent acts “are not students.” However, Charalambos Fidas, the Rector of Aristotle University, countered this, asserting that around 70% of those perpetrating violence at his institution are indeed students and suggested prohibiting organizations that engage in such behavior.
The majority of Rectors supported Fidas, expressing that they, their colleagues, or students with differing viewpoints face intimidation and threats. They indicated that extremist elements are present in various cities, including Athens, Thessaloniki, Komotini, Heraklion, Chania, Patra, and Ioannina.
As for future actions, Rectors are preparing safety plans where they do not yet exist and conducting impact studies. Some universities are developing regulations to manage their video surveillance systems, with readiness pending the installation of cameras.
The need for enhanced funding for university security is urgent. The total budget of €10 million is viewed as inadequate, considering the vast amounts of land and buildings needing protection. Additionally, the current funds are insufficient to cover security personnel costs, with approximately €1,200,000 required for around 60 guards to cover one university—not even meeting half of the institution’s needs. Rectors called for legal improvements concerning security measures.
When asked about the issue of reinstating a university police force, Rectors firmly stated it was not discussed. However, most agree on the necessity of police presence on campuses for regular patrols. They argued that police should be permitted to enter university grounds without request, especially given recent unrest, despite previous ideological opposition to this idea.
On Student Expulsions
Disagreements surrounding student expulsions have lessened, with a consensus favoring extensions for students nearing graduation who have a few remaining courses. Expulsion will be enforced for others, in line with legal stipulations. However, the Rectors deferred on defining criteria for “active” students and required course percentages, directing this task to the Ministry of Education.
The anticipated threshold for courses owed is approximately 20% to 25% of the total, equivalent to one year of a four-year undergraduate program. It was recommended that the Minister’s new regulation should project into the future to address similar cases and prevent recurrence. The Minister supported this proposal.
Disagreement on Administration Elections
The Rectors were divided on the issue of reforming the university administration election system. While some advocated maintaining the current system, a majority agreed on the necessity of introducing changes, a view supported by Deputy Minister Nikolaos Papaioannou.
In conclusion, despite the heated discussions at the Rectors’ Meeting, the Minister of Education expressed satisfaction, finding the conversations substantive and revealing, contributing to a deeper understanding of the country’s academic landscape.
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