Paris’ Sciences Po university has been closed for the day on Friday after a debate between the institute’s leadership and students on the war in Gaza failed to ameliorate the simmering tension on campus, leading to protesters occupying it overnight.
The elite political sciences university this week became the bullseye of a wave of protests at several schools in France over the war and academic ties with Israel, although it was not on the same scale as the one in the United States.
A group of about 70 students were occupying Sciences Po’s main buildings in central Paris on Friday morning, at the time of the school closure. They had spent the night there.
Sciences Po had not immediately replied to a request for comment at press time but a local newspaper, Le Parisien and radio France Inter, had quoted an internal memo where the university was reportedly asking staff to work from home as university buildings were shut down.
This is coming after Sciences Po’s director had on Thursday, rejected demands by protesters to review the schools’ relationship with Israeli universities, inducing protesters to continue their movement with at least one person embarking on a hunger strike, according to a student speaking on behalf of the protesters.
Why It Matters:
The shutdown of Sciences Po University over fresh Gaza protests spotlights several deep issues plaguing the varsity:
- Firstly, the shut down of the university came after a scheduled debate between the institution’s leadership and students on the war in Gaza failed to ameliorate tensions on campus.
- Secondly, the occupation of Sciences Po’s main buildings by approximately 70 students showed the deep simmering discontent among the student body towards the school
management. - Thirdly, the university’s decision to shut down buildings, and reportedly asking staff to work from home highlights the severity of the situation and the need to ensure safety and security on campus. The directive also shows the challenges faced by institutions in managing protests and maintaining normal operations during times of unrest.
Bottom Line:
The shutdown of Sciences Po University serves to emphasise the importance of addressing controversial issues through constructive dialogue and engagement as tensions almost always heightened in cases like this.
