The case of Professor Jelena Kleut confirms an unwritten rule: speak out and criticize the state, and you risk losing your job. What happened to her, and is this yet another warning to other dissenters?
At the heart of the academic community at the University of Novi Sad, another dramatic episode in domestic university life has unfolded.
Jelena Kleut, a long-serving professor at the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad, has lost her job—not due to a lack of knowledge, but apparently because she dared to be disobedient and stood with the students.
Kleut, one of the region’s most recognized media researchers, was also an advocate for faculty blockades.
What Happened?
In November of last year, the Senate of the University of Novi Sad did not approve Jelena Kleut’s promotion, despite her meeting the formal criteria for advancement.
Due to opposition from colleagues and procedural disagreements, the promotion was not confirmed, and the Senate provided neither a clear decision nor justification.
Kleut then filed an appeal against the Senate’s decision, which was reviewed by the so-called expanded Senate—a body comprising additional members and representatives of the University Council.
In a secret vote, the expanded Senate rejected her appeal on Thursday, January 15.
According to Srđan Rončević, Dean of the Faculty of Science, six Senate members voted in favor of her appeal, 17 were against, and two abstained.
As a result, her employment at the Faculty of Philosophy ends after two decades of work.
Political Retaliation and a Precedent
Regarded as a political retaliation, Kleut announced she will appeal the decision. She pointed out that an unprecedented precedent has been established, undermining the university’s previous autonomy, adding that political actors will now influence academic careers.
“What began on November 20 is now concluded with more or less the same people who started the entire process. My colleagues and students are reacting emotionally, but more important than an individual case is that an incredible precedent for university autonomy has been set. Rules are not the same for everyone; rules can change along the way, and above the rules, there are party officials who can launch meaningless procedures against any colleague critical of this government during future promotions,” Kleut said upon learning of the expanded Senate’s decision.
She also noted that legal uncertainty at the university is now a growing problem and that the members of the expanded Senate demonstrated “the raw power of political backing.”
The expanded Senate session was held on Thursday, January 15, at the Rectorate building in Novi Sad.
Support for Professor Kleut
The associate professor had previously received support from students as well as colleagues.
Over 700 professors signed a letter of support, along with more than 300 of her former students. In November, following the initial decision, a rally was held on the university campus in support of Kleut, attended by students and professors.
A Warning to the Disobedient
The expanded Senate, which decided on her appeal, exists only at the University of Novi Sad, N1 reports. Kleut said the more favorable option for her would be to return the appeal to the Senate, as the expanded Senate was not competent to issue a final decision.
“By expanding the number of people, it only became clear how much party influence there is at the university, and that the Senate, and even less so the Council, do not act as autonomous bodies following their own regulations,” Kleut explained to N1.
She described the case as an unmistakable warning, suggesting that similar actions are being prepared against colleagues facing upcoming promotions to permanent positions.
Jelena Kleut’s case is not isolated. As she herself states, it is a matter of political retaliation. Clearly, it does not matter whether someone meets the requirements; what matters is whether they are critical, whether they support students, whether they oppose government decisions. When all this is taken together, losing one’s job can be the inevitable outcome.
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Source:Vreme.com, Foto: Printscreen Youtube