The elections of the “Lebanese” League: Does it violate the voice of the opposition?

The maturity for the elections of the Association of Full-Time Professors of the Lebanese University this month will not pass dull, as has been the case in the electoral rounds during the last decade, when the consecration of “understandings” between the party forces eliminated all union vitality. On this occasion, some professors did not hesitate to run with the argument that “the university is closed” and there is no place to violate the coalition of parties, but that the voice against the political and sectarian system appeared in many schools and branches. Some built their candidacy on the October 17 uprising, and others seemed disconnected from their parties, while the presence of the group “Independent University for the Nation”, which was established more than two months ago “with the aim of raising their voices non-partisan opposition union to defend the interest of the university and not only the economic interest of the professors. ” According to a member of the group, professor at the Faculty of Law and Political Science, Azza Soliman. There are still no lists ready for the group, especially in the first phase of the elections, that is, the elections to the Council of Delegates that take place tomorrow, but “we supported independent professors and others rose up against their parties.”

Suleiman does not hide that there is a discussion within the group about the meaning of independence, especially after the incorporation of the party’s candidates into the group. However, he says that “the principle is independent thinking towards the university, and that the professor does not have a financial dependence on his party”, and points out that “we meet with university students. In his current battle against the parties in power.
On the other hand, the representatives of the parties wanted to emphasize that the preparation of the elections is taking place in a “consensual” climate, comfortable, not convulsive or conflictive, and “understandings” are given according to the circumstances of each school, and “much to speak of the executive body and the presidency of the League “which usually takes place after 20 days. It is noteworthy that the presidency will be delegated this time to Muslims under the principle of rotation applied in the League. It seemed remarkable to focus on the sponsorship and withdrawal of carrot-and-stick candidates, and it was noted that so far some 85 delegates have won by acclamation of 159. Among the winners of the acclamation, some 20 delegates have run against the parties, according to the group “Independent University for the Nation”.

In the last decade, the consolidation of partisan “understandings” has eliminated all union vitality.

There is a third option betting on voting for your proposal, project and union performance since you entered the university and not for your independence, as is the case of a professor at the Faculty of Sciences, Wafa Noon, who appointed, individually, to the Council of Delegates of the Association “in order to correct the union action towards the participation and transformation of the university into an issue. Public opinion. “Mediodia confirmed that union representatives” are concerned about reactivating the university fabric made up of professors, students and employees and their participation in public affairs. They are called to define the role of the university professor and the role of the university and its vision in the current reality, and that their records converge on the basis that they are university issues and not just individual rights, including, for example, dedication, holders and rights. Students who should be of interest to the entire university and not directly related to the beneficiary category only, such as “the voice of the professor must be active in everything that is decided in the university at an academic, administrative and financial level, that is, it must be a participant in decision-making at the university.

Subscribe to «News» on YouTube here