The case of Professor Jelena Kleut confirmed the unwritten rule - when you raise your voice and criticize the state, you will be fired. What happened to her and is this another demonstration exercise for other disobedients?
At the heart of the academic community University of Novi Sad, another of the more dramatic episodes in domestic university life takes place.
Jelena Kleut, longtime professor of Novi Sad Faculty of Philosophy, she lost her job. Not because she lacked knowledge, but, apparently, because she dared to be disobedient and stood by the students.
Kleut, who is one of the most recognized media researchers in the region, she was also an advocate of faculty blockades.
In November of last year, the Senate of the University of Novi Sad did not vote on the election of Jelena Kleut to the position, despite the fact that she met the formal criteria for advancement.
Due to the opposition of colleagues and procedural disagreements, that choice was not confirmed, and the Senate did not make a clear decision or explanation.
After that, Kleut submitted an objection to the decision of the Senate, which was considered in the so-called to the extended composition of the Senate, a body consisting of several members and representatives of the University Council.
By secret ballot, the enlarged Senate rejected her objection on Thursday (January 15th).
As the dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences in Novi Sad, Srđan Rončević, said, six members of the Senate were in favor of accepting her objection, 17 were against it, while two abstained.
Thus, her employment at the Faculty of Philosophy ends, after two decades.
Regarding this decision, which she considers political retaliation, Kleut announced an appeal.
She pointed out that an incredible precedent has been established that violates the University's previous autonomy, adding that political officials will decide on people's academic careers.
"What started on November 20 has now ended with more or less the same people who started the whole process. My colleagues and students are reacting very emotionally, but much more important than the individual case is that this has set an incredible precedent for university autonomy. The rules are not the same for everyone, the rules can change in the course of time, and above the rules there are party officials who will be able to initiate meaningless processes for every next election of a male or female colleague who is critical of this government," said Kleut after learned the decision of the expanded composition of the Senate.
She stated that legal uncertainty at the University is now becoming a problem and that the members of the extended composition demonstrated the "bare force of the political hinterland"..
The session of the extended Senate was held on Thursday, January 15, in the building of the Rectorate in Novi Sad.
The associate professor of the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad was previously supported by students and colleagues.
More than 700 professors signed the letter of support, and before that more than 300 of her former students.
And in November of last year, after the first decision, a gathering of support for Professor Kleut was held on the campus of the University of Novi Sad, which was attended by students and professors.
The role of the expanded Senate that decided on her objection exists only at the University of Novi Sad, writes N1, and Kleut says that the option that is more favorable for her is to return the objection to the Senate for a decision, because this body was not competent to make a final decision.
"By expanding the number of people, it only became clear how much party influence there is on the university, and that actually the Senate, and even less the Council, do not act as autonomous bodies that respect the regulations they passed," Kleut explained to N1.
She assessed that this was clearly a demonstrative exercise, and that they only had indications that the same was being prepared for colleagues who were also approaching the decision to move to a regular position.
The case of Jelena Kleut is not isolated, and as she herself says, it is a policy of retaliation. Obviously, it is not important whether someone fulfills the conditions, but whether he is critical, whether he supports students, whether he opposes the decisions of the authorities. And when you add it up, you can easily end up without a job.
Source: Vreme/021/N1
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