The Science Union requested on Thursday the dismissal of the interim administration at Croatian Studies, stating that it has not resolved any of the tasks for which it was appointed, but has instead created chaos that has destroyed the “last chances for Croatian Studies to continue operating.”
The interim body has not fulfilled any of its tasks nor has it adopted legal acts regarding the organization and operation of departments and the structuring of job positions, yet it has employed 35 new staff members despite lacking regulations for such actions, it was stated at a press conference by the Science and Higher Education Union.
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According to union lawyer Ana Petošić, they have not fulfilled their obligations and are unlawfully managing Croatian Studies. The interim administration’s deadline for adopting legal acts has expired, and simultaneously, in the middle of the academic year, they are introducing a new program, even though this should be done at least six months before the start of the academic year, Petošić said, adding that this violates students’ rights to study what they enrolled in.
– Changes at Croatian Studies have been explained as a need to avoid the triplication of philosophy study programs at the University of Zagreb. Today, philosophy at Croatian Studies is more similar than ever to other such studies. Meanwhile, we have more employees than ever, even though five of our teachers have left the philosophy program, said union representative at Croatian Studies Tomislav Janović.
Students and teachers have been excluded from the decision-making process and have no body that could protect their interests, Janović concluded.
He reminded that the quotas for the philosophy program were abolished at Croatian Studies without discussion or explanation and then reinstated under pressure from students and the public, and that the strategic document prepared by the interim administration caused a public scandal as it was found to be partially plagiarized.
Union representative in the Senate of the University of Zagreb Vesnica Garašić stated that there is apathy at the University, even though it should inspire society.
The University Senate, which makes employment plans, has never discussed the new 35 employees at Croatian Studies. These employments are illogical when it is known that some of the largest components of the University, such as the Faculty of Philosophy or the Faculty of Science, did not hire new people at all last year, she said, adding that she has been requesting a table of employees since mid-last year, but has not yet received it.
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The University of Zagreb has a non-transparent relationship not only with the public but also within its bodies, especially the Senate, said Vesnica Garašić, adding that the University Administration communicates with the public through a law firm, and that no administration has been burdened with such problems until now.
She assessed that the Senate bears great responsibility for the current problems at Croatian Studies and believes that the Senate’s passivity in resolving these issues stems from fear and concern for the personal interests of the majority of its members. She warned of a very dangerous phenomenon where laws and regulations are being adjusted to the needs of individuals.
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Union President Igor Radeka stated that there was previously a problem with the accreditation of Croatian Studies, and now they find themselves in complete chaos. The union has repeatedly requested the determination of the legality of the operations of the University of Zagreb, to which it has not yet received a response.
He emphasized the demand for Rector Boras to immediately convene an extraordinary Senate session at which all interim bodies of Croatian Studies will be dismissed and to enable the establishment of regular, legal governing bodies of Croatian Studies, in which all regular teachers will participate, which is their right according to the principle of university autonomy.
– If Rector Boras does not do this, the Union will request it from the University Council, concluded Igor Radeka.
Divjak: I Expect the Rector to Take Responsibility Regarding Croatian Studies
Minister of Science and Education Blaženka Divjak said on Thursday, responding to journalists’ questions about the situation at Croatian Studies, that the rector must take responsibility and ensure legal security and protection for students and professors of Croatian Studies, as well as work in normal conditions.
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– I expect the rector, who is directly responsible for Croatian Studies, given that they do not have legal personality, to take his responsibility and act accordingly, not only in accordance with the statute and the law but also in a way that students studying at Croatian Studies and professors working there have not only legal security and legal protection but also the ability to work in normal conditions. I would say that this is the first and fundamental task of the rector, the minister told reporters in front of the Banski Dvori.
When asked by reporters whether this can be expected from Rector Boras, Divjak replied that this “must be expected from every rector.”
– Whoever is the rector and whoever is a member of the Senate must take this kind of responsibility and act accordingly, Divjak added.
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Rector of the University of Zagreb Damir Boras believes that after January 18, there has been no legal vacuum at Croatian Studies, as he claims, the Scientific and Teaching Council is not permanent, but it is also not limited to just one year.
