Widespread changes at the University of Tehran in order to prevent student protests

Amir Kabir (Tehran, Iran)

Accessed from Gooya: http://news.gooya.com/politics/archives/2009/09/094016.php

23 September 2009

Amir Kabir: Measures to prevent further student protests are being implemented by the directors of the university. [These measures began] two weeks ago when the university dorms re-opened and the delayed exams were administered. The exams had been delayed because of the attack on the dorms by Ansar forces and the subsequent traumatization and arrest of a great number of students.

Written slogans on the University dorms

According to the Amir Kabir report, in the past two weeks, since the re-opening of the university dormitories, the dormitories have been declared an ‘intense security area’. Since the dormitories re-opened on the 14^th of Shahrivar (September 5th), plain-clothes forces have occupied the area around the dormitories, which they patrol together with University’s security forces. Due to the existence of these threatening measures, however, many pieces of graffiti have been seen on the dormitory walls.

Though they are not residents, student Basij forces have been present in some of the dorms, in order to continue efforts to create a tangible atmosphere of fear and dread in the dorms. With all of this, however, since the re-opening of the dorms, male and female student residents of the University of Tehran, along with other residents of the Amir-Abad area of Tehran, have shouted ‘Allaho Akbar’ during the wee hours of the night, which has caused dormitory officials to take action and ask the boys and girls to identify the students [responsible for the chants], however, because of the great number of students, this matter is still not certain.

Installation of an antenna across from the University dorms over the summer break

While the dormitories were closed, a new antenna was erected on top of a building across from the temporary Masjid building of the university dorms in the Amir-Abad area. In the students’ opinion, [the antennae] most likely belong to the Revolutionary Guard or Basij, but its purpose is still unknown. It is possible that the antenna is a security measure in order to control the dormitory space in the new academic year. It is worth mentioning that in the building, a room on top floor has been appropriated by Security forces and [it is unlikely] that the room will not be in communication with the antenna.

Drawings on the interior of the University dorms

On this basis, rumors also exist regarding the directors of the dorms’ move to transfer buildings 20, 21 and 23 to married students. At the same time as end of the students’ final exams, in this respect, the directors of the university of Tehran announced that the students’ registration and the beginning of the new term would be several days late. According to the students, the authorities intend to implement change and alterations in the dorms during this [delay]. Also, according to some other students, this delay has occurred because of the installation of surveillance in the students rooms.

Reduction of more than 1500 students from the dormitories

According to the report from Amir Kabir, on the threshold of the re-opening of the University of Tehran, the University’s directors’ fears and the line of action they have adopted to confront a wave of student protests [have come to light], when three buildings were suddenly emptied. Residents have been discharged from Buildings 20 and 21, which is where undergraduate students reside, and also building 23, which is reserved for senior undergraduate students. These buildings are located on the south side of the University of Tehran and overlook the streets of Amir-Abad from the north.

A reduction in the number of student residents has been sought by Farhad Rahbar, the Dean of the University, and by other directors of the University. Instead of providing dormitory accommodation, their method is to provide newly arriving students for the new academic year with housing accommodation in the city. The University of Tehran has also meanwhile notified a list of term-10 undergraduates and also term-6 senior undergraduates who will not be provided dormitories.

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