Student strike at Bir Zeit university: Financial crisis is PA responsibility

The Democratic Pole, the progressive student alliance at Bir Zeit University, denouced the unprecedented measures taken by the University administration since Thursday morning, January 19, 2012, to break up a peaceful student sit-in organized by student government activists at the university calling for tuition and fee reductions.

The Democratic Pole said that the objective of the sit-in, which is taking place within Bir Zeit’s president’s office and outside in the courtyard, is to pressure the university to resolve what has become a severe financial crisis for students, who cannot afford the escalating costs of tuition and fees, and to address additional academic demands, including lowering barriers to changing majors and other related issues.

The university gates were closed to prevent entry and exit of students, and university officials refused to allow the entry of blankets and mattresses for the student protesters to sit on while protesting. The Democratic Pole said that these actions are unacceptable, and breach the right of students to organize peaceful protests to achieve their just demands.

The Democratic Pole encouraged the continuation of the sit-in and protests until the demands of the students are achieved, highlighting the faculty and staff trade union’s initiative to resolve the sit-in and respect the students’ protest and demands. With regard to union rights at the university, the Democratic Pole rejected any prejudice against the labor unions at the university, saying that workers’ rights are a red line.

It rejected the university’s action to suspend classes during the protest, saying that this action was not in line with the university’s policy or with student freedoms, saying that all student blocs should continue to pressure the university to assume its responsibility to resolve these issues, and to provide serious attention to the students’ issues and their just demands, which stem from an ongoing Palestinian economic crisis.

The Democratic Pole also highlighted the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority in the financial crisis at the university, saying that the PA allocates 40% of its budget to security services but only 5% to the various aspects of higher education, including universities and schools. This lack of resources and suport has caused significant damage to these important institutions due to the unwillingness of the PA to support higher education, while continuing to support a massive security budget. The Democratic Pole further emphasized that this only expands privatization and profit motives within the university, in order to compensate for the lack of support from the Authority.

The Democratic Pole said that education is a fundamental human right, a universal right, and a sacred Palestinian national principle that must not be denied due to lack of financial resources. The Pole urged that the university administration open registration for all students without pre-payment of tuition and fees and reduce the tuition fees and installments, and take action to support students rather than simply transferring the financial crisis created for the university by the Authority on to the backs of the student body.

The Democratic Pole encouraged the university’s administration to formally present, before the media, the cuts in funding to the university, and budgeted funding to the University that has still outstanding from the Authority, and point to the factors that are responsible for this crisis.

The Democratic Pole said that maintaining the highest standards of education at the university is critical, and that facilities and laboratories need updating and class size should not be risen to over 40 students per class, in order to preserve the educational environment at Bir Zeit.

The Democratic Pole also stated that it is the duty of the university to work to lower the prices of both private and public facilities on campus, including bookstores, cafeterias, and print and copy shops, as well as providing students with information through financial statements and reports. It also urged the university to resume alternate policies to support students in special circumstances, including prisoners, former prisoners, and families of the martyrs.