After Student Protests, Unsoed Sets New Rules Regarding UKT

After student protests, Jenderal Soedirman University finally established new rules regarding single tuition fees.

KOMPAS/WILIBRORDUS MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO

Hundreds of Jenderal Soedirman University students demonstrated at the Unsoed Rectorate Building, Purwokerto, Banyumas, Central Java, Monday (29/4/2024).

PURWOKERTO, KOMPAS — Jenderal Soedirman University, Purwokerto, Banyumas Regency, Central Java, has established new rules regarding single tuition fees for its students. The new rules were made after the increase in UKT which was previously determined was protested by students.

The new rules are stated in the Regulation of the Chancellor of Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed) Number 9 of 2024 concerning Education Fees for Unsoed Students. This regulation replaces Unsoed Chancellor's Regulation Number 6 of 2024.

The Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of Unsoed, Noor Farid, stated that the new regulations were established based on input from various parties. In addition, Unsoed has also consulted with the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology (Diktiristek) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek).

"In response to input from students and the public, as well as consultations with the Directorate General of Science and Technology Development in the Ministry of Education and Culture regarding adjustments to tuition fees, Soedirman University has enacted Rector Regulation Number 9 of 2024," said Noor in a press statement on Friday (3/5/2024) afternoon.

Also read: Unsoed Chancellor's Regulation on UKT Adjustments Will Be Revoked

KOMPAS/WILIBRORDUS MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO

Hundreds of students at Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed) held a demonstration at the Unsoed Rectorate Building, Purwokerto, Banyumas, Central Java, Monday (29/4/2024).

Noor conveyed that Unsoed ensured the affordability of the campus's tuition fees for underprivileged citizens. This is because there is a Level 1 tuition fee of IDR 500,000 per semester and a Level 2 tuition fee of IDR 1 million per semester, which is at least given to 20% of students.

"Until now, 34 percent of Unsoed students who receive this level of UKT, including those who receive KIPK (Indonesia Smart Card for Education), are from underprivileged communities. This shows that Unsoed is still highly accessible to those who are less fortunate," said Noor.

Also read: Hundreds of Unsoed Students Hold Demonstration Against UKT Increase

Noor added that based on the data of new student registration for the year 2024, out of 300 individuals who have already registered, the majority or 74 percent of prospective students at Unsoed are in the UKT Level 2, 3, and 4 categories.

The rest are in UKT Level 5, 6, 7, and 8 with decreasing percentages. "In fact, the percentage of UKT Level 8 is the smallest and less than 3 percent," said Noor.

KOMPAS/WILIBRORDUS MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO

Vice Rector I for Academic Affairs of Jenderal Soedirman University, Noor Farid, provided a press statement regarding the demands of students in Purwokerto, Banyumas, Central Java on Monday (29/4/2024).

According to Noor, the determination of the amount of Tuition Fees (UKT) for each student is done fairly. The determination of UKT for new prospective students is based on the income of parents/guardians and the number of dependents in the family.

"With these criteria, it is hoped that the UKT paid will be in accordance with each individual's abilities so that it fulfills the principle of justice," he said.

Also read: Unsoed UKT Increase Considered Burdensome, BEM Requests Evaluation

To avoid input data errors that can result in inaccurate levels of UKT, Noor mentioned that data verification will be carried out by involving all faculties. After the data is verified, prospective students can continue the registration process by paying their UKT fees.

"Unsoed still provides mechanisms for tuition fee relief during the semester. Students can apply for a adjustment of UKT in the second semester. This is expected to be a solution for those who are still experiencing economic constraints," said Noor.

KOMPAS/WILIBRORDUS MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO

Hundreds of students from Universitas Jenderal Soedirman held a demonstration against the increase of single tuition fees at the Unsoed Rectorate Building in Purwokerto, Banyumas Regency, Central Java on Friday (April 26th, 2024).

The Coordinator of the University Student Demonstration Action at Unsoed, Fadhil Syahputra, said that the students continue to demand that the amount of tuition fees be returned to the old regulations before the increase imposed through the Rector Regulation Number 6 of 2024.

"The new regulation is a one-sided decision from the rectorate. As for us students, we are still demanding the same thing, which is to revert back to the previous regulation," said Fadhil.

Unsoed also still provides a tuition fee waiver mechanism during the current semester.

Previously reported, the increase in tuition fees at Unsoed has been widely discussed on social media. The Unsoed Student Executive Body (BEM) has asked for the increase established by Unsoed Rector Regulation Number 6 of 2024 to be evaluated as it is deemed burdensome for new students.

According to BEM Unsoed's data, a fairly high increase in UKT occurred in several study programs (prodi). Citing data on the Bank Tempat Informasi Unsoed Instagram account or @batir_unsoed managed by BEM Unsoed, the amount of UKT for the Animal Husbandry prodi in 2023 for Group 5 - the highest category - is Rp 2,500,000 per semester.

KOMPAS/WILIBRORDUS MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO

A mural or wall painting related to the single tuition fee can be seen on the wall of the building complex of the Student Activity Center of Jenderal Soedirman University, Purwokerto, Banyumas, Central Java, on Thursday (25/4/2024).

However, in 2024, the Prodi Animal Husbandry tuition fee for Group 5 will increase to IDR 12,500,000 per semester. Additionally, in 2024, the highest tuition fee in the Animal Husbandry department is in Group 6, which amounts to IDR 14,081,000 per semester.

The amount of UKT for the International Relations Department has also dramatically increased. Last year, the UKT amount for the program's highest category, Group 7, was Rp 3,500,000. However, this year, the UKT amount for the International Relations Department's Group 7 has increased to Rp 14,081,000.