The only candidate for director of the Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy of the Universitat de Lleida has withdrawn his candidacy after the public alert launched on Thursday by the three student assemblies of the campus.
Withdrawal after the public complaint of the assemblies
The resignation comes after the student collectives openly questioned the continuity of the electoral process and requested its annulment. In their statement, the assemblies warned that the situation could violate fundamental rights of the students and the principles that should govern a public institution.
The candidate had been accused by the students for alleged sexist behavior, inappropriate touching in the academic context, and inadequate communications with students. At the same time, the assemblies themselves recalled that the judicial procedure related to these facts concluded with acquittal.
Petition to annul the process
The controversy had focused on a process in which only one candidacy was competing. After making their position public, the three assemblies demanded the annulment of the electoral process in the department of Nursing and Physiotherapy of the UdL.
"Could violate fundamental rights of the students" - Student Assemblies, Universitat de Lleida
The withdrawal of the candidacy now leaves in the air the election of the department's direction, in a context of strong student contestation within the Leridan university.