The University of Theatre and Film Arts (SZFE) in Budapest has been the subject of debate ever since its model change in August, when its faculty and staff stepped down in protest of the government appointed board of trustees. While the current administration promises a new and improved SZFE, many students, supporters of the FreeSZFE movement, want justice.
A law passed by the government transferred ownership of the 155-year-old state-run theatre school to a private foundation, bringing into effect a model change.
The government appointed a new board of trustees, and rejected members which the university proposed. To this, the university’s senate said that they had been deprived of the right to decide on budgetary, organizational, and personnel issues, as power had been transferred to the board.
Classes at the University of Theatre and Film Arts (SZFE) may resume from Feb. 1, if all necessary conditions are in place, the new supervisory board said.