TAIPEI (TVBS News) — National Chengchi University (NCCU, 國立政治大學), one of Taiwan's premier institutions for higher education, issued a statement Friday (April 11) clarifying its position on campus political activities, citing the neutrality requirements of Taiwan's "Fundamental Act of Education" (教育基本法). Officials emphasized that all campus events require advance approval to prevent the promotion of specific political agendas.
The controversy erupted when NCCU students set up a table outside the main library to collect signatures for a legislative recall petition, igniting fierce debate across campus social media channels. While university administrators acknowledged students' legal right to engage in public affairs, they emphasized that such activities require advance authorization detailing the event's scope, timing, potential disruptions, and plans for maintaining orderly campus operations.
In its statement, NCCU highlighted Article 6 of the "Fundamental Act of Education," which explicitly prohibits educational institutions from promoting specific political activities or agendas. The situation has divided the student body, with opponents arguing recall petitions represent partisan politics inappropriate for academic settings. Supporters, however, point to the university's own politically-oriented founding mission and defend students' rights to free expression within campus boundaries. ★