University of North Sumatra UKT Protest Students Increase 30-50 Percent

Tuition fees at USU have increased by 30-50 percent. Many learning media are damaged, toilets are dirty, clean water is lacking.

KOMPAS/NIKSON SINAGA

Students of the University of North Sumatra staged a protest against the 30-50 percent increase in the single tuition fee at the Office of the USU Rector's Bureau in Medan on Wednesday (8/5/2024).

The implementation of the Independent Campus policy is considered to be still far from its goals. On some campuses it actually results in misery for students.

At the University of North Sumatra, Wednesday (8/5/2024), students demonstrated at the Office of the Chancellor's Bureau USU. They rejected single tuition fees which went up again this year. In fact, learning facilities on campus are still considered poor. Many learning media are damaged, lecture rooms have no fans or air conditioning, dirty toilets and a lack of clean water.

"Single tuition fees at USU this year have increased again by 30 percent to 50 percent. Prospective new students complained about the single tuition fee (UKT) which suddenly increased when student admissions were already at the re-registration stage," said USU Student President M Aziz Syahputra during demonstration at the USU Chancellor's Bureau.

Hundreds of students wearing USU's green alma mater jackets gathered in front of the main door of the Chancellor's Bureau. They conveyed their aspirations by giving speeches, unfurling banners and posters. Posters and banners include the words "Campus Sealed, Students Killed by UKT" and "Free Campus, Students Miserable".

Aziz mentions that new students at USU are deeply affected by the increase in UKT for students admitted through national selection based on achievement, national selection based on tests, or independent selection.

Also read: Increasingly Higher Tuition Fees

KOMPAS/NIKSON SINAGA

Students from the University of North Sumatra had a dialogue with the Vice Rectors of USU during a protest against the increase in tuition fees by 30-50 percent at the Office of the USU Rector's Bureau in Medan on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024.

With the increase, the Integrated Tuition Fee (UKT) for Group VIII or the highest UKT now reaches Rp 8.2 million to Rp 14.7 million per semester, depending on the study program. For Medical Education and Dentistry, it even reaches Rp 30 million and Rp 27 million. For the independent path, the UKT is added again with institutional development fees.

The UKT system at USU, according to Aziz, is even on average more expensive than most private campuses. The existence of USU as a state university receiving subsidies from the government is being questioned.

"Tuition fees are more expensive, but the facilities at USU, which is a state campus, are much worse," said Aziz.

During a dialogue with the university representatives, the students took turns conveying their aspirations. They were received by Vice Rector I Edy Ikhsan, Vice Rector II M Arifin Nasution, and Vice Rector V Luhut Sihombing, as well as several deans and teaching staff.

Students from the Animal Husbandry Program at the Faculty of Agriculture said that they still do not have a dedicated classroom for their program. In several courses, they study in a lecture hall with more than 120 students.

“The room is hot without a fan or AC. "With that many students, we can't study well," he said.

Other students question the construction of the grand building, the Office of the Rector Bureau, while the toilets on campus are neglected. Furthermore, there are increasingly more cafes and mini markets being built within the campus environment. The campus development is seen as leading towards commercialization.

Self-funded students at the Faculty of Dentistry refer to themselves as paying Rp 25 million per semester. However, they have to study in a hot hall with more than 100 students. With that many students, they are only taught by one lecturer.

There is a reality like that. However, if you say there are no improvements to facilities, that's not true.

Andika Yudhistira, a student from the Faculty of Public Health and also from Pema USU's Public Relations team, stated that campus operational costs are projected to only increase by four percent, from IDR 1.098 trillion in 2023 to IDR 1.146 trillion in 2024. However, the increase in tuition fees will touch 30-50 percent.

Andika mentioned that they also regretted the statement from the Ministry of Education and Culture stating that the increase in tuition fees was a policy of each campus. However, when asked to the campus, the campus officials mentioned that the increase was a policy from the Ministry of Education and Culture.

KOMPAS/NIKSON SINAGA

Vice Rector I of the University of North Sumatra, Edy Ikhsan (second from the left), received students who were protesting against a 30-50% increase in tuition fees at the Office of the Rector's Bureau at USU, Medan, on Wednesday (8/5/2024).

Responding to the students' statement, USU Vice Rector I Edy Ikhsan stated that the increase in tuition fees they implemented is in accordance with regulations from the Ministry of Education and Culture.

"The adjustment of UKT (Integrated Academic Fee) was not made solely by USU (Universitas Sumatera Utara) without adhering to regulations. It is already in accordance with regulations, not illegal, and not arbitrary," said Edy.

According to Edy, the increase in tuition fees did not happen to all groups. In Group I, which consists of students from low-income families, tuition fees remain at IDR 500,000. For Groups II, III, and IV, tuition fees are around IDR 1 million, IDR 2.4 million, and IDR 3.2 million, respectively.

"It should be noted that around 45 percent of students from the achievement pathway are in groups I-IV," said Edy.

Regarding campus facilities that do not meet the expectations of students, according to Edy, it is not entirely true. The USU campus continues to improve its facilities from year to year. "It is true that there are such facts. However, it is not true to say that there have been no improvements in facilities," said Edy.

Edy stated that USU campus is also open to correcting the grouping of tuition fees for new students. If the grouping of tuition fees is not in line with the family's ability, the campus will correct and lower it to the appropriate group.

Also read: Single Tuition Fee: Conflict over Higher Education Funding