**Belgrade University Demands Government Meet Student Demands to Unblock Academic Year**
The University of Belgrade has called on the government to create conditions for continuing the academic year, which is now seriously jeopardized due to a student-led blockade. The university’s rector and deans have presented their platform for discussion with relevant bodies and institutions, outlining the demands that need to be met in order to unblock the situation.
According to the document, attempting to conduct teaching activities against the students’ will would violate their right to peaceful assembly and public interest, as well as principles of academic integrity and freedom. The university has also acknowledged that such an action would be practically unfeasible, given the experiences of other higher education institutions in Serbia where leadership attempted to hold classes under current conditions.
The University’s Platform highlights that the rector and deans do not have a mandate from students to negotiate their demands or end the blockade. Instead, they support the initial student demands but do not participate in organizing blockades. The document emphasizes that the university and its faculties have acknowledged the situation created by student plenaries while supporting student demands and their right to peaceful protest.
**Key Demands of the University**
The University of Belgrade has presented several key demands to the government, including:
1. An immediate end to pressures on the university and its members.
2. The suspension of unannounced inspections and audits at schools and colleges.
3. An end to the media campaign against the rector, deans, students, and employees.
4. Payment of all overdue salaries from the budget in full.
5. Revocation of the amendment to the Decree on Standards and Norms for University and Faculty Operations Funded from the Budget.
6. Revocation of the Government’s March 24 Conclusion regarding partial funding for teachers’ salaries.
**Questions Posed by the University**
The platform also poses several questions to the government, including:
1. Whether and when dialogue with students blocking faculties will begin regarding their demands?
2. What steps the government plans to take to meet student demands and unblock the academic year?
In conclusion, the University of Belgrade is calling on the government to engage in a constructive dialogue with students to find a solution that allows for the continuation of the academic year.