‘Damage assessment report’ by Boğaziçi academics

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The academics of Boğaziçi University have launched a social media campaign titled "Damage Assessment Report."

Under the hashtag #BoğaziçiHasarRaporu (Boğaziçi Damage Report), the academics have been sharing the problems that have arisen at the university since Prof. Melih Bulu was appointed as a rector from outside the university's community by a decision of President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on January 2, 2021.

The following damages have been listed by the academics:

• An non-elected rector was appointed to the university.
• Two faculties were founded one night.
• A dean was appointed from outside the university to the Faculty of Law, which was founded one night.
• The non-elected rector also became a dean of the Faculty of Communication, which was founded one night.
• The LGBTI+ student club was closed.
• It was prevented from entering the room of the women studies club.
• The office for preventing sexual harassment was de facto shut down.
• No elected director was appointed to the institute of social sciences.
• No elected director was appointed to the institute of graduate studies in science and engineering.
• The elected administration cast multiple votes at the senate.
• A representative was appointed from outside to the Faculty of Law, which was established one night.
• A director was appointed to the School of Foreign Languages (YADYOK) without consulting the constituencies of the university.
• There is a heavy police presence in our campuses.
• Our campuses are under police blockade.
• More and more surveillance cameras are placed in our campuses.
• Raids were conducted on our students' houses.
• The police were allowed to enter our campus.
• Our students were detained.
• Our students were arrested.
• Our part-time, retired lecturers and guests are not allowed to enter the campus.
• Our alumni are not allowed to enter the campus.
• Disciplinary investigations were launched against our students by fabricating crimes.
• One student of ours was battered at the police station.
• The activities of our students are hindered by the use of force.
• Our principle of gender equality is violated.
• University personnel and laborers are outcast due to their identities.
• Public resources are exploited.
• Our school's tradition and language of nonviolent communication is undermined.
• Our university is represented in a way against its principles, its prestige is undermined.
• Our tradition of democratic governance is damaged.
• There is an attempt to govern our university by proxy.
• Our democratic elections have been suspended.
• Security personnel inflict psychological and physical violence on our students.
• The right to benefit from job security is violated.
• Our works are discredited by such statements as "Boğaziçi is now producing science."
• Our freedom of communication is hindered.
• Our right to give information is violated.
• Our academics and students are targeted.
• There is an attempt to polarize our students.

(EKN/SD)