Heated Debate Between UNY Students and Rectorate Over SPPG Goes Viral, Campus Officials Express Anger
UNY's SPPG has become a focal point after a video of Vice Rector Siswanto angrily confronting students went viral. Read the chronology of the SPPG protest and UNY's clarification.
UPDATEYUK.ID - The issue of SPPG (Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit) at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) has become a public spotlight after a video showing a Vice Rector of UNY, Siswanto, arguing with students during a protest against the program went viral on social media.
In the circulating video, a student criticism banner concerning the management plan of SPPG on campus is said to have triggered a strong reaction from the rectorate.
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UNY SPPG Rejection Banner Sparks Tension in Rectorate Area
The student action, organized by the Garda Biru UNY alliance, was known to carry banners containing criticism of campus policies, including the rejection of the SPPG plan linked to the Nutritious Free Meal (MBG) program.
The banner contained criticisms such as the rejection of SPPG on campus and narratives highlighting the direction of educational policy at UNY.
According to the students, the banner was initially intended to be temporarily displayed for documentation before further action was taken outside the campus area.
Viral Video of UNY WR Siswanto Responds to SPPG Criticism Banner
A video uploaded by the Instagram account @gardabiru.uny shows a tense situation between students and the campus administration. In the footage, the Vice Rector for Human Resources and Law of UNY, Siswanto, is seen reprimanding the banner displayed by the students.
He stated that the banner disturbed the cleanliness and order in the rectorate area.
“That’s trash, it’s dirty, sir… it’s dirty, it pollutes the view, it’s inappropriate,” he said in the viral video.
The post then sparked a debate on social media, particularly regarding students' freedom of expression in voicing their rejection of SPPG.
Students: SPPG Rejection Action Was Blocked at the Rectorate
The representative of the UNY Student Alliance, Andri, explained that the action took place on Wednesday (24/6) during the campus graduation ceremony.
According to him, the students deliberately chose this time so that their aspirations regarding the rejection of SPPG would be more widely conveyed to the attending public.
He mentioned that the banner, measuring approximately 2x2 meters, contained criticisms of campus policies, including narratives rejecting SPPG, which was deemed not transparent.
However, before reaching the rectorate area, the students claimed to have been blocked by security personnel and campus officials, leading to a pushing match and tension at the location.
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UNY Clarification Regarding SPPG and Student Action
UNY Vice Rector, Siswanto, explained that the action to reject the student protest was carried out because the activity did not have official permission.
He also emphasized that the banner carried by the students contained writings that were considered inappropriate and did not align with the facts of campus policy.
According to him, UNY has not yet had or implemented an SPPG program as accused in the banner. (*)
