Representatives of the youth organizations of three political parties – Party “Action and Solidarity” (PAS), Liberal Democratic Party (PLDM) and Party “Platform Dignity and Truth” (PPPDA) – request to modify a Government decision so that students have free access to dorms after twelve midnight. These collected over 4,000 signatures and intend to go to the Constitutional Court if the Government does not grant their request.
Liviu Vovc, chairman of the PPPDA youth organization, in a news conference at IPN said the students and dwellers of dorms consider the regulations that ban access to dormitories after twelve o’clock violate the rights of the youth. The students turned 18 and have the right to organize their time as they want. Many young people work to pay for studies and the limitation of access to dorms causes impediments to them. The given Government decision violates the law on university autonomy.
PAS Youth leader Dan Perciun stated the collected signatures will be submitted to the Ministry of Education within a public event at 2pm on March 24. If the Ministry supports the students, this will be a step in the correct direction, towards participatory democracy. If this rejects the dialogue, it will further fuel the young people’s perception that the Ministry of Education and the Government are hostage to particular private interests and do not hear the voice of the ordinary people.
Dan Perciun noted it is hard for him to believe that if a group of students in an EU member state collects signatures from over 10% of the student population, the ministry and the state institutions will remain indifferent. They are ready for action if the Ministry of Education neglects the issue and will go to court and will invoke clauses of unconstitutionality.
Ruxanda Macuh, a member of the PLDM youth organization, said they collected signatures both online and at university campuses and dorms. The hope and wish for things to change increased as a result of their interaction with students. Students from dorms related that the ladies from reception desks expect favors from those who come after twelve midnight.
Signatures started to be collected on February 27. About 13,000 students live in student dorms.
