For the past week the halls here at "Al. I. Cuza" University have been quite quiet. This is because the students have declared a general strike (Greva Generala) and have stopped going to their classes. Their main complaint is that the education minister recently imposed a tax (i.e. tuition) on students who fail their exams and must repeat a year. Since university education is otherwise free, this is essentially a cost-cutting measure by a budget-minded government.

It might seem to American students a relatively minor thing to strike over, especially since the tax is meant only for students who are repeating--something that isn't commonly allowed in the U.S. beyond high school. However, the Romanian education system gives the student somewhat more leeway in exchange for the heavy courseload that the student is required to take. Even getting into university is a struggle, as the entrance exams are very difficult and competitive. So the students are already under pressure to follow their course of study, which is rigid and has few electives.

The imposition of the tax is an additional source of worry. The amount varies, but may exceed $ 2000, which is comparable to the yearly salary of an industrial worker (one of the better-paid careers in Romania). Many of the students who need to repeat would have trouble coming up with the money to pay the tax and would likely have to drop out of school. The students worry that this tax is only the first step in a process of cutting back government-funded education and related subsidies for housing and transportation.

So, there have been large demonstrations at most universities in Romania in the past ten days or so. Of course, the rallies in Bucharest are the most visible in the media, but students in Iasi are participating as well. Last Thursday the 19th there was a crowd of about 10,000 students in front of Building 'B' of the University (where the Geography Department is located). It included students from the Polytechnic and Medical Universities who marched from their campuses through the center of town, and up Copou hill to "Al. I. Cuza". After this rally, they marched to the Palace of Culture for another rally. As of today, the strike is continuing.

For those of you who may be wondering, I am not participating in this strike--the terms of my grant prevent any such activity. I am not taking any courses here, so I haven't been affected much. My research goes on as usual.

In the latest football news, "Poli" was trampled by the hosts, "Rapid" Bucharest, 0-3. But the big news is last-place F.C. Brasov's 1-0 upset of first-place "Steaua" Bucharest yesterday! (The first loss of the season for "Steaua") That's like Northwestern beating Notre Dame or the Colts beating the 49ers--oops, I guess both of those happened too. Get your ice skates, people, 'cause Beelzebub's hoppin' on the Zamboni!