Petition Signed by 160 Novi Sad Faculty of Philosophy Teachers so Far: No Exams in These Conditions

Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad(BETAPHOTO/DRAGAN GOJIC)

So far, 160 teachers and associates of the Novi Sad Faculty of Philosophy have signed a petition condemning the fact that the Faculty dean and several teachers and employees stormed into the Faculty building a few days ago, threw the blockading students out of it and then called the police, which remained in and around the building on Aug. 29. The aforementioned group of Faculty staff is not allowing students or professors to enter the building.

In the petition, the teachers and associates underscored that exams could not be held in such a violent atmosphere. "We most strongly condemn the eviction of the blockading students from the Faculty building. In an atmosphere of blackmail and threats, it is neither possible nor professional to hold exams. We urge the Faculty of Philosophy management to enable the professors who have so far communicated well with the students to find an adequate solution together," reads the petition.

The signatories added that they wanted to help in resolving the situation in a constructive way, keeping in mind the interests of all students, including the ones who had been blockading the building, as well as the interests of the Faculty of Philosophy.

"There is a will on the part of both the students and the teachers at the Faculty to hold exams. We believe there is also room for an agreement which would enable the realization of examination activities in an academically proper atmosphere, with mutual respect and appreciation. This is the only modality in which we are ready to participate in the realization of exams," they said.