A new rule allowing students to wear hats over their headscarves partially counters the controversial headscarf ban at Boğaziçi University in response to pressure from society, the students of Boğaziçi University and two student representatives who discussed the issue with the rector on Tuesday. 

Z.S., a student at Boğaziçi University who wears a headscarf on campus, talked to Today's Zaman on Thursday. She said that students can now enter the campus wearing hats on their headscarves. She added: "Nothing has changed compared to last year, when the ban was lifted. We already used to put hats on our headscarves in specially designed cabins near the gates of the campuses. Rector Kadri Özçaldıran retreated after two of our friends spoke to him on Tuesday. We have not had any problems since then."

Z.S. also noted the students with headscarves who live on campus did not have any problems attending classes since the majority of instructors did not apply the headscarf ban in the classroom, "The problem was entering the campus. If you were already on campus, you could attend classes." However, she said, "Students of the faculty of education are the ones who suffer most from the headscarf ban since some of the instructors do not allow students with headscarves into their lectures."

Even though protests by students and the public did have an effect, students are not satisfied because they cannot enter the campus dressed the way they want to. Students call the policy "fascist" and say that it is in violation of the university's code of ethics.

Code of ethics of Boğaziçi University

Boğaziçi University suggests a code of ethics on its official Web site for its staff to follow in order to maintain order and sustain good public opinion of the university. The Web site reads, "We do so with a view to enable all interested parties to comply with principles normally outside the formal rules and regulations applicable to teaching staff, students, academic personnel involved with administrative work, and administrative personnel."

The code of ethics of Boğaziçi University includes the following: "Respect human rights and liberties. Allow no discrimination or prejudice on the basis of religion, language, race, ethnic origin, opinion, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical disability or the like. Create and maintain at the university an atmosphere that nurtures free discussion. Preserve the freedom of learning and teaching, acquisition of knowledge and dissemination of information . Support the advancement of academic knowledge by all parties. Exercise authority in good faith with a view to protecting academic autonomy and freedom; carry out duties and responsibilities to full the extent; promote all the above principles within and outside the institution."

Rector: We are applying the law

Boğaziçi University Rector Kadri Özçaldıran told NTV news channel on Thursday that he was merely enacting the decision of the Constitutional Court. He said that the problem was solved when students agreed to cover their heads with hats instead of headscarves. Wearing a headscarf is not allowed by university administrations in Turkey because it is seen as a political stand. Özçaldıran emphasized that he reconsidered the universities stance on headscarves because it caused misunderstanding among the students. He added: "I have distributed a paper warning the students that wearing headscarves on campus as political symbols is prohibited by law. I have done this because of my responsibilities as a state employee." Özçaldıran also emphasized that the liberal tradition of the university will continue and was not affected by the latest controversial headscarf ban attempt.

Headscarf ban triggers debates among students

Although the majority of students at the university think that the headscarf ban harms the university's liberal nature, others think that the university suffers due to the personal mistakes of the rector. There are other students who think a ban on wearing a headscarf on campus is necessary. The diversity of opinion can also be seen in banners displayed at the university. The majority of the banners emphasize democracy, freedom and equality. However, there are also banners in support of the headscarf ban. Sometimes students with opposing viewpoints tear up the banners of their opponents.

Todays Zaman