Dongduk Women's University Restricts Main Building Access Ahead of 'Engineering Transition Recommendation' for Safety and Order

University Cites Overlapping Regular Admissions and Final Exams
"Aiming to Prevent Disruptions to Academic Administration Schedule"

Dongduk Women's University deployed security personnel to control access to its main building ahead of the announcement of recommendations by the Engineering Transition Public Discussion Committee. This measure appears to have been taken in consideration of the possibility of a repeat of last year's student occupation.

According to Dongduk Women's University on November 27, the school has posted an "Access Restriction Notice" on the main building since the previous day and is restricting entry with the help of a private security company. The university explained that these actions were taken to prevent disruptions to academic administration, as the announcement of the committee's recommendations on the engineering transition is scheduled for early next month, coinciding with the regular admissions process and final exam preparations.

Access Restriction Notice Posted on the Main Building of Dongduk Women's University. Yonhap News.

Last year, Dongduk Women's University experienced internal conflict due to student occupations and "lacquer" protests in opposition to discussions about transitioning to a coeducational system. Subsequently, the university reached an agreement with the student council to establish a public discussion committee involving students, professors, staff, and alumni. The committee's recommendation is expected to be released in early December. However, as a formal resolution is required, there is a possibility that the schedule may be delayed. It is known that the recommendations issued by the committee are not legally binding.

On December 4, an event to remove lacquer from campus buildings, with participation from students, professors, and staff, is scheduled. On November 26, the university posted an announcement titled "Campus Building Lacquer Removal Event" on the school portal, accessible only to current students. The notice stated that students, professors, and staff are eligible to participate and that lacquer removal scrapers and gloves are required. It also mentioned that all participants will receive a coffee coupon.

The Emergency Response Committee of the student council posted on the university's social network service that "on November 20, we held a meeting with the university administration and the Facilities Restoration Committee," and that "of the 725 students who responded to the '8,000 Dongduk Members Facilities Restoration Survey,' 95.2% answered that lacquer cleaning work is necessary." However, the committee also acknowledged, "We are aware of concerns about removing the lacquer while campus issues remain unresolved," and added, "We will discuss this matter with the university and strive to share updates with students as soon as possible."

Front view of the main building of Dongduk Women's University. Dongduk Women's University

Meanwhile, in November last year, Dongduk Women's University students staged strong protests by occupying the main building and the Centennial Memorial Hall and applying lacquer throughout the campus in opposition to the coeducation transition discussions. The university filed police complaints against the students involved in the occupation, citing property damage and obstruction of work, but withdrew all complaints in May. However, since these are not offenses subject to non-prosecution upon the victim's request, the police referred 22 students, including current students of Dongduk Women's University, to the prosecution without detention in June.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.