On November 17, the Korea University Student Association (KUSA) and the Headquarters for Action against Undemocratic Academic Administration held a press conference, proclaiming the strife against the establishment of the Crimson College, widely known as the Future College, in front of the Main Hall.

 

KU has recently announced the plan to establish Crimson College by 2018, which emphasizes convergence education, P/F grading system, high tuition fee, and connections to conglomerates. Yet, there was no exchange of opinions with the students in the planning process and the plan committee unilaterally informed the possibility of abolishing the School of Interdisciplinary Studies to make room for the Crimson College. Students have shown actions of resistance by cancelling the debate sessions with fierce protest.

 

The president of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies Bok Geum Tae (‘14, Business) made a remark of protest that, “I believe that there exists no justification for the school to abolish the School of Interdisciplinary in order to found the Crimson College, which is full of preferences for the nobility and plagued with ridiculous integration of studies.”

 

Yeon Eun Jung (‘11, Korea Language and Literature) from Workers’ Solidarity KU Branch made a joint statement. She exclaimed that the practice of undemocratic academic administrations have persisted ever since she entered college and the overemphasis on industry-university cooperation projects defame the essence of university. Kang Min Hyuk (’16, School of Interdisciplinary Studies) expressed his perplexity regarding the abolishment of the major he just entered and criticized the illogical arguments of the school.

 

The president of KUSA, Park Se Hoon (’13, Political Science and International Relations) explained the dishonorable attitudes of the school carrying on the Crimson project under shadow. “I sincerely hope that president Yeom Jae Ho, faculty members, and the plan committee can remain admired while respecting and cherishing the students of KU,” he stated.

 

Students winded up the press conference by reciting the press conference statements. General Assembly on the issue will be held on November 28.