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 “Minor crimes included in the newspaper inscriptions" this is how an experienced scientist talking in front of To Vima newspaper described the situation of the last few days in two major Greek universities: the National Technical University of Metsovo and the University of Athens.

The theme of the legitimacy of the spring semester is being discussed in these schools, where tension has risen again.

All this is happening while acts of violence and vandalism enhance the colors of the dark picture represented today by the two universities. On the one hand, the promises made last autumn by the state to stop the three-month protests in both universities were not fulfilled and many people interpreted that as deception.

On the other hand, a few but fanatical representatives of the radical core of the staff working at the Polytechnic University in Metsovo, barricaded the university doors a few days earlier prohibiting entry, an act that could lead to uncontrolled events.

The university staff informed To Vima newspaper that because of the lack of any security in the University of Athens (security guards are at disposal, whereas private security companies are "forbidden" by students with radical left-wing beliefs), in the last few days, theft and acts of vandalism have been happening continuously.

Eight doors were broken by unknown offenders at the University of Athens, at the Physics department, and then technical equipment  worth millions was stolen as well as research data, the result of several months of efforts. What is happening is shameful for Greece at an international level, as the faculty participates in pan-European research programs.

In the same faculty, since last week, only one administrative officer and the office head have remained to serve 1,200 students. It should also be noted that the Dean George Tobras was attacked a few days ago by a few students with more radical views who wanted him to issue a decision and close the faculty as a protest against the government policy regarding higher education in the country. This evoked outrage in the Faculty Council which urged the Rector to investigate the case and to impose penalties on the offenders.

Last week, in the Faculty of Mathematics, unknown persons broke the doors of all audience halls.

The Faculties of Law and Medicine remained closed on Thursday because it was the last day for submitting applications by the administrative employees included in the arrangements concerning participation in Interfaculty mobility.

 “We have 394 employees available, and only 142 positions were declared for the University of Athens," said the University. It was explained that the university was not even asked about the distribution of these positions in majors. More specifically, by now, for the Medical Faculty, there were 20 people in the office. Out of them, 10 are at disposal now, 1 of them being part of an area which is already closed and 1 is retired. As a result, today in the faculty office the only people working are 7 employees and the faculty office head.

The Problem with the Beginning of the Spring Semester at the Polytechnic University

As representatives of the university say, the question arises of cancelling the spring semester in some of the faculties, and seven of the nine departments are under occupation by students and staff.

Meanwhile, the situation in the university is about to explode because the occupiers have not allowed any vehicles to enter the campus. The administration, however, is operating and serving the people who need to be served, but they should come without cars.

In this environment, the chairperson of the General Assembly, Michalis Triandafilou, made ​​a statement that the university community had to show a sense of responsibility, especially to students, and contribute to the open access on campus as well as to continuing training and research activities.

“We hope that this sense of responsibility will make those who are once again facing the threat of dismissals overcome the understandable feelings of bitterness. References to legitimate demands or mistakes of the government do not justify the denial of access to public goods and prevention of the university from operating. The Polytechnic University does not belong to anyone, neither to students, nor to teachers, nor to its employees. It belongs to the community and everyone who works in it must put into practice the principle of responsible self-government," according to a written statement from the university.