“An unprecedented attack by the government administration on the Collegium Intermarium has been going on for almost four months. This is a fulfillment of the threats made by the government since January 2024 by placing the university on the ‘Sienkiewicz blacklist’ and subsequently launching a media attack on it and its former rector by Adam Bodnar. – inform in a statement published on the Ordo Iuris website Dr. Artur Górecki, Prof. CI – Rector of Collegium Intermarium and lawyer Jerzy Kwaśniewski – Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees.
In a lengthy statement published on the website of the Ordo Iuris Institute, the authorities of Collegium Intermarium raise the alarm about government attempts to destroy the university.
Dr.Artur Górecki, Prof. CI, Rector of Collegium Intermarium and lawyer Jerzy Kwaśniewski – Chairman of the Board of Directors of Collegium Intermarium describes the history of the university founded in 2021 on the initiative of Ordo Iuris and presents its educational offer and performance to date.
Despite its successes, the university faced a number of media attacks, mainly motivated by aversion to the classical educational ideal and its association with a conservative political model. It also fell victim to attacks as a place of professional involvement of practicing lawyers against whom the government took direct offensive actions
– enter Prof. Górecki and lawyer Kwaśniewski.
Sienkiewicz’s blacklist
As we read further, active politicians, such as Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar, also join the attacks.
The name of the university was also placed on it “Sienkiewicz’s list”, among several dozen organizations marked in publicly released government correspondence as subject to special, politically motivated surveillance by the public administration. This will result in early 2024 the payment of research fees specified in the contracts concluded by the university with the Ministry of Science within the framework of programs available to all universities in Poland was temporarily suspended
– emphasized in the statement.
Mid-year, the ministry ordered an extraordinary inspection by the Polish Accreditation Commission [PKA]that would take place during the summer holidays, without the opportunity to inspect classes with students and without the opportunity to fully present the university’s activities. At the same time, the government initiated an inspection of eight research, publication and conference programs implemented by the university, which was expanded to another inspection area in October
– we read.
As indicated by the CI authorities, the university was forced to suspend recruitment for full-time studies for this reason and supported students already studying at Collegium Intermarium to study at other universities. Prof. Górecki and lawyer Kwaśniewski point out that in this way they have secured the fate of the students.
“We believe that the idea of Collegium Intermarium can still be saved.
Before the end of the inspection procedure, the government, contrary to the agreements made, stopped financing research programs in which renowned professors and scientists participated. At the same time, a dispute with the government agency from which the university rented space on a commercial basis, which had grown since the change of government, ended with the termination of the lease.
– emphasizes.
According to the authors of the statement, the current sponsors have also withdrawn their support for fear of government repression.
Forced to limit academic activities and focus on defense in the increasing scrutiny procedures, Collegium Intermarium authorities believe that the government’s aim is to ultimately eliminate the university from the Polish academic scene. The attack on her is intended as a warning that will have a lasting chilling effect on circles committed to the ideal of academic freedom.
– indicate the university authorities.
After securing the fate of the students and drawing up extensive reports on the research programs carried out, the university authorities granted the lawyers of the Ordo Iuris Institute appropriate powers to conduct further disputes with the government, resigned from their positions and called meetings of the collegiate bodies of the university. for November. Today, only massive support for the university can save it. We believe that the idea of Collegium Intermarium can still be saved.
– wrote in the summary.
The full text of the statement is available on the Ordo Iuris website.
aja/ordoiuris.pl
Source: wPolityce