About 30 university students barged into the office of the vice-dean of the University of Athens Antonis Kalokairinos and emptied two trash bags over his desk to protest over lack of cleanliness at the university, police presence on canvas and security problems. The video was of their action was posted on Youtube with the first student who had emptied a bag of garbage on his desk heard saying: “This is a Greek university.” The other students are heard chanting slogans. The group is then shown leaving the office. Other photos from the incident were uploaded on Twitter.
Athens University Dean Theodoros Fortsakis told Proto Thema that the situation is “unacceptable”. He explained that the reason for the delay in hiring cleanliness staff is due to the fact that the previous university leadership had delayed the specific tenders for cleaners. He said that cleaning staff will be hired within ten days.
A message from the university stated that the students had asked to meet with the dean to discuss some issues, however they were received by the vice dean who agreed to see them in his place due to the fact that Mr. Fortsakis was at another meeting. The university’s statement explains that there is a legal framework that doesn’t allow for a fast-track solution to the students’ problems regarding cleanliness. The message states that the university administration is always open to real dialogue based on the principles of democracy.
Government Spokeswoman Sofia Voultepsi was critical of the students’ behavior. “I wonder, what the (main opposition Coalition of the Left) SYRIZA party has to say about this new incident of abominable behavior?” she asked. “Unless they tell us that the transportation of garbage is another way to get ideas flowing.”
Who is the student seen in the video throwing trash on the vice dean’s desk?
Law student Christos Xagoraris is the one who emptied the trash on the desk. He was also the person who posted the video on youtube. The students say that this was a symbolic protest and that there are rats on the university grounds.
