In recent days, the closure of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences (FEAS) at Boğaziçi University and the evaluation of splitting certain faculties have been brought up.

According to the plan, the Business Administration department within FEAS was supposed to be transferred to the Faculty of Management Sciences, while the Economics, Political Science, and International Relations departments were to be linked to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

During the university senate meeting held on December 20th to discuss this agenda, the Student Representation Board called for a protest to oppose the decision. As a result, Boğaziçi University students gathered in front of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences to march towards FEAS and hold a forum afterward.

During the march, students chanted slogans such as “Naci, keep your hands off our faculty,” “Universities belong to us, they will be liberated with us,” “Long live student solidarity,” and “Long live scientific, democratic education.” Students managed to open the locked faculty door to proceed with the forum at FEAS.

Students marched, senate plan was withdrawn

After the senate meeting, Boğaziçi University shared details about the new restructuring through its social media account, titled “Information Regarding Our New Faculty Restructuring.”

The statement emphasized that Boğaziçi University is one of Turkey’s strongest educational and research institutions, and continued as follows:

“In this context, the University Senate, which is the highest academic decision-making body of our university, has finally completed its ongoing faculty restructuring efforts. Throughout this process, the works carried out by our university administrations for many years have been compiled, different models from various universities have been examined, and comprehensive preparations have been made by gathering opinions from local and foreign experts regarding faculty restructuring.”

The scheme to be submitted for approval by the Higher Education Council (YÖK) was also shared along with the statement. Accordingly, the university administration took a step back from the plan to close FEAS due to reactions and student protests. However, the division of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences into “Faculty of Science” and “Faculty of Human and Social Sciences,” as well as the closure of the Faculty of Management Sciences and its inclusion in FEAS, were approved. The plan was accepted by majority vote.

Students said, “We do not recognize the plan”

Students who evaluated the decision to step back from the closure of FEAS and the division of faculties expressed that they do not recognize the senate decisions:

“We do not recognize the undemocratic senate decisions made unlawfully overnight without any proper planning.”

The protests have been ongoing incessantly for two days.