It is more or a less a rule that a wave of university building occupations will kick off at the drop of a hat. Yet again, the biggest academic institutions in the country are under occupation because a group of students believe that their rights are being subverted by Fortsakis’ proposal to establish electronic voting.
Whatever the objections – justifiable or not – the students may have for the Rector’s rather “heretic” proposal, all they succeed is in canceling the role of the university and undermining their own education.
It is an undeniable fact that the student movement is in decline, unable to galvanize the great majority of students. The proliferation of partisanship – and not necessarily politicization – the clientelist role parties, have discouraged a significant section of the student body from participating in all collective procedures. As a result, a small group of organized students decide for everyone else, often in favor of circumstantial political considerations.
Just like everything else in Greece, we also managed to undermined the universities and depreciate institutions that emerged through struggles in hard times. The participation of students in the decisions that concern them is above all on their conscience. If they are not interested in their problems, then no party and no rector can help them. Perhaps that was Mr. Fortsakis’ mistake, indirectly wanting to enforce more democracy on the universities. Unfortunately, you cannot enforce democracy if there is no interest and intention to participate in civic life.
TO VIMA
