Thursday March 18 2021 02:46 pm

Boğaziçi continues rector protest on first day of Spring Semester

Academics and students of Boğaziçi University continued their resistance and protest of Melih Bulu, a politician appointed as rector to the school by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Jan. 2. Bulu's appointment was widely viewed as a breach of academic freedom, and the university community has maintained their position since day one that they will not stand the appointment.

Duvar English

Boğaziçi University academics and students continued their protest of the president's appointment of a party member as rector to the school on Jan. 2, marking the 11th week of demonstrations and the first day of the Spring 2021 semester.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan appointed ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) member Melih Bulu as rector to the prestigious higher education institution, a move that was widely viewed as a breach of academic freedom.

Boğaziçi academics staged their 54th peaceful protest in front of the rectorial building on March 18, turning their backs on Bulu's office and clapping in protest.

The group of academics and students who have maintained continuous protest on campus hold events regularly, the most famous of which was the student art exhibit that displayed a piece that led to students' prosecution.

Two Boğaziçi University students who were awaiting trial in jail for a poster depicting Islam’s most sacred site with LGBT flags were released on March 17, and cleared of charges of "inciting hatred or insulting religious values."

An open-air "class" was held on campus on March 18 to celebrate the first day of the Spring semester.

"We feel the joy of reuniting with our students, even if through screens," the academics said in a press statement.