«The memory of the commitment of the academics who did not sign loyalty to the fascist regime and for this reason were removed has not disappeared, and we do not recognize ourselves in an academic community in which decisions of silent obedience to the will of the government bend the daily routine of life. Now and always Resistance».
It ends with a reference to the darkest page in the history of the university the letter which around a hundred professors, researchers and post docs from the Polytechnic sent to the rector Stefano Corgnati and academic leaders. It is a letter with tones never seen before, at least recently, in a university where the debate on issues related to current affairs and politics has always been limited, prudent, almost hidden.
Yet, this time a spark seems to have started a fire at the Valentino Castle, highlighting the discontent in the Architecture department and in the inter-university Science, Project and Territorial Policies department. They are based in the Savoy residence on the Po, where the disputed and highly armored summit of the scientific attachés of the Farnesina took place on Tuesday.
Institutional meeting, where the complicated topic of the. was discussed, in the presence of 4 ministers dual use, the thin line between civil and military applications of research. A very hot topic in these months of war in Gaza, even more so after the “neighbors” of the University banned the Maeci call for scientific, technological and industrial collaboration with Israel, promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
«We write to share the discomfort in the way in which the decision to suspend teaching on April 23 was communicated, depriving the academic community of moments of discussion». They attack the professors of the Castle, where a group of teachers had also made themselves known for their very long battle for the profitable agreement signed with Frontexthe European agency that monitors the borders of the Union in the eye of the storm due to the inhumane practices of the rejection of migrants.
The letter, sent to the rector, the general director and the two heads of the departments, also questions «theauthoritarian attitude supported by the use of security and armed forces” which prevented any form of protest by undermining “the autonomy of university campuses” and brings back memories of “a season which on April 25th had helped our country to remove”.
On Tuesday, San Salvario, for the meeting of embassy experts, was literally blocked and militarized for security reasons. It’s a small procession of pro-Palestine militants he was kept away by officers with shields and truncheons.
«We understand the inconvenience towards ways and times of the internal communication process, which must be redefined in our university”. This is how Rector Corgnati responds with the DG in a letter where it is pointed out that in the summer of 2023 it has been decided to organize the conference of scientific and space workers and agricultural experts from our country’s embassies.
«The Maeci event – it is underlined – followed the usual safety protocols, to which are added those linked to the presence of a vice-president of the Council of Ministers, ministers and undersecretaries. Hosting these events always implies the presence of law enforcement.” The rector also opens up to a “reflection to gain full awareness of the requirements in order to host events with various types of safety protocols”. But then brands the references and the accusation of “silent obedience” as “inadmissible” as in the time of the regime. «We intend to resist such a way of arguing (…). The university must remain an open space of innovation and experimentation, free and autonomous.” But it’s only the beginning. The letter of accusation was sent to the Senate and the Board of Directors. And it will be discussed in the next Dist department meeting.
