Khaberni - The student forces at the University of Jordan met today with the Dean of Student Affairs, his assistant, and the director of student bodies to discuss the repercussions of the amendments on the student union regulations and the student forces' boycott of the elections. It was decided that new regulations for the student union elections, introduced weeks ago, will involve appointing 18% of the union membership and reducing the number of seats allocated for the university list, as well as eliminating the criterion of the number of students in determining the representatives in the majority of faculties.
The student forces confirmed in the meeting that these amendments will have numerous negative repercussions and backlashes on the democratic process at the university. The procedure that was followed to make these amendments without presenting them to the forces and without any consultation or listening to their proposals and recommendations; led to their current contents being accepted, and the forces pointed out that the approval of the regulations in this manner and mechanism is not separate from the climate that restricts student work.
Hence, the student forces - which include 4 out of 5 forces - reiterated their commitment to the decision to boycott, asserting that this decision comes in defense of the independence of student work and a rejection of any measures affecting the integrity of the elections or reducing democratic participation.
The student forces expressed during their meeting their rejection to the appointment as a principle, not as a mechanism or basis for selecting the appointed seats. They confirmed that there is no justification for the appointments, and they decried the manner in which their proposal, submitted weeks ago, was handled. This proposal was formulated and presented with consideration of the justifications claimed to be the reason behind the amendments.
At the end of the meeting, the student forces emphasized the necessity to retract the amendments, to side with the students' will, and to work on formulating a fair electoral system that enhances participation and preserves the students' right to true and effective representation; they confirmed their steadiness in their stance to boycott the elections, and their right to organize all activities within their campaign according to regulations and legislation.
Karama Bloc
Himma Bloc
Awda Bloc
Tajdid Bloc
