Opposition to campus police growing

The permanent presence of police officers on university premises is proving taboo for professors, administrative staff and some student groups, judging by reactions to the government's proposals for campus security.

One day after the announcement of the Panteion University Senate stressing the incompatibility of a police presence at universities with the free pursuit of knowledge, the proposal was flatly rejected  by the senate of the country's largest academic institution, the Aristotle  University of Thessaloniki (AUTH).

The government's proposal to stamp out chronic lawlessness at the country's universities includes an entrance card for all students and staff, as well as the creation of a protection team consisting of police officers who will answer to the Hellenic Police (ELAS) and the Ministry of Citizens' Protection. 

The AUTH Senate said that during its...