There is a lack of beds, a lack of canteen places, transport and security are insufficient. And those who are out of office now also lack the ability to dream. It is a heartfelt appeal that the boys and girls of the student houses in Viale La Plaia and via Businco address to the university, municipal and regional authorities in an open letter.
«It is “your” students who are talking to you – the message begins -. We are the ones who populate your streets, your vehicles, your premises; we are the ones who leave their country to pursue a degree in the city; we are those who invest in their future by relying on those who should support and protect them: you. It's simply us, and with the utmost hope we hope that these sincere words will be read by you with commitment and attention. In an increasingly stingy and unbalanced society towards the strongest, we reiterate the need to decisively support a real right to education, capable of helping everyone, without leaving anyone behind. For most of us, without this support, it would have been impossible to undertake university studies. A path that for us is not limited only to the purely educational part, but which also represents a powerful means of emancipation with which to enhance ourselves and be able to fully express our aspirations."
«The experience as a student away from home, today more than ever - they continue - therefore remains a fundamental stage for all those who in the capital, through many sacrifices, forge their personality and dream while looking to the future. And it is precisely the ability to dream that is being lost. The growing distrust grips us and oppresses us more and more. The ambition, optimism and energy that should fuel our dream are instead swept away by an increasingly unsustainable reality. The commitment must start from each of us, let's be clear, but the problem arises when the latter is no longer enough. What's the point of dedicating body and soul when even our most extreme sacrifices are no longer enough? How can we find the strength to carry on when the basic support we are entitled to by law and for which we have worked so hard is lacking?".
Hence the complaint: «For several years now the panorama of the right to education in Cagliari has not presented the most rosy situation. We are faced with a very serious shortage of beds and canteen places , certainly the most serious problems of all. Added to these are various other inconveniences, for example relating to transport and safety near university facilities, which would undoubtedly require greater attention. There are many dynamics and they derive from numerous factors, which is why it would be necessary to constantly monitor and intervene quickly every time a new problem arises, avoiding ending up in a confusing funnel like the current one, where the sum of the problems also makes the interventions complicated relatively simpler and more ordinary."
«It is not in our interests to now search for the individual culprits – they continue – We want our voice to be heard and we are ready to participate and collaborate together in the search for the best solutions. We believe that, in order to achieve the most desirable of scenarios, collaboration between all individual parties is necessary. It is essential that a solid political will is followed by technical tables where the most appropriate and sustainable solutions can be studied and launched."
A specific appeal follows. « At the University of Cagliari, greater attention is paid to the mood of the student population, especially those who do not have the means and must make the greatest sacrifices to define themselves as “UniCa students”. We want a university of all, for all."
To the Municipality of Cagliari " to work for a city that can truly be defined as university, collaborating with local entities such as the CTM to guarantee safety and efficiency throughout the city".
To the Sardinia Region « an economic effort to guarantee access to the university world for all. If the right to education is truly a priority, this is a good time to demonstrate it by supporting projects that will arise in the near future."
At Ersu " a greater propensity to listen, in addition to a political-administrative decision that is sometimes lacking".
There are various more urgent issues which, say the young people, require "immediate intervention": "The beds are absolutely insufficient, with the house in Via Biasi which should have already been reopened a couple of years ago and instead continues to seeing its inauguration postponed. Many students need the La Plaia Campus to remain open also in August, for educational reasons (internships, degree theses...) and logistical reasons (relating to impracticable moves). Furthermore, we have recently witnessed yet another cut, this time on concierge and external security staff, and we believe that it is not correct to save on the efficiency and above all on the safety of university structures".
«These are just some of the problems, and each one has a serious urgency to be addressed: we have the duty to highlight them, it is up to you to take action to resolve them – the conclusion -. We have already presented our requests several times in the appropriate places and we will continue to do so. The student population, through its representatives, will not fail to collaborate but also to draw attention to any non-compliance. Everything, just like this letter, will always start from the bottom, from the moods of the people, from those who live this life and have to deal with it every day. We believe that Cagliari is a splendid city, and we are also convinced that it can offer the best to the university population. We believe it, and you?
(Unioneonline)
