(Translated in Schnapp – Document 85)

The UNEF Declaration

Following the events of the last three weeks, and particularly these last few days, in all the University cities in France – notably in Paris; taking into account the situation, the distortions made by official news releases or by those controlled by the government, we want to clarify the following points:

I – THE POLICE AND THE GOVERNMENT
ARE ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INCIDENTS
THAT HAVE JUST OCCURRED
AND THE U.N.E.F. DECLARES ITS SOLIDARITY
WITH ALL THE VICTIMS OF THE FORCES OF REPRESSION

 These incidents arise from the government’s intentional tendency to create an objectively explosive and provocatory situation for the students and for the workers fighting with them: the UNEF declares its entire solidarity with victims of police repression, on whatever occasion it is used.

II – THE U.N.E.F. PROPOSES TO DESIGNATE
MONDAY MAY 27 AS A DAY FOR LARGE DEMONSTRATIONS
THROUGHOUT THE NATION

 The attitude of the police makes them entirely responsible for all confrontations, Particularly today and tomorrow, the presence of large forces in the Latin Quarter, their constant comings and goings, the way they disperse all groups, are so many provocations: if incidents occur, the government must know that it causes them.

 The UNEF makes no call for demonstrations today or tomorrow. As a counter-measure it proposes that all Paris and provincial militants make Monday, May 27 a national day for demonstrations, to be held after 5 P.M.

III – THE UNIVERSITY STRUGGLE HAS MEANING ONLY
IF IT IS INTEGRATED WITH THE LARGER STRUGGLE:
THERE WILL BE NO DIALOGUE WITH A GOVERNMENT
THAT REFUSES TO RECOGNISE THE MEANING OF
THIS COMMON STRUGGLE

 For a long time now the UNEF has emphasised that the University struggle is meaningless unless it becomes a part of the framework of confrontation and combat against the capitalist regime: true democratisation of education can only exist in liaison with an overthrow of production relationships and the transformation of economic structures by and for the workers.

 It is very evident that on all these points the government and General de Gaulle are unwilling to consider the nature of our combat and that they see it only from the standpoint of perpetuation of the present system.

 Therefore, we consider that there can be no dialogue with the regime.

IV – THE UNIVERSITY, IN ANY CASE, IS TAKING IN HAND
ITS OWN AFFAIRS

 On May 17, 1968, the UNEF proposed to all students and professors four precise points on which pressure may be brought to bear.

 The decisions freely taken by the student body are in broad agreement with proposals made by the UNEF. Wherever possible, particularly in the faculties henceforth under co-equal administration (teacher-student), we must now conclude and actually inaugurate the right of veto on all decisions taken. In reality, only control over decisions will make it possible to ensure permanent University confrontation. Wherever universities are autonomous, all deviation towards any sort of private administration of the faculties must be fought against. Autonomy also means that the University should be widely opened to workers.

 The UNEF therefore calls on all its militants and the whole student body to apply their own decisions from now on.

 It also calls for postponement of all examinations until September.

V – FOR AN EVEN STRONGER LIAISON
BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY STRUGGLE
AND THE STRUGGLE OF WORKERS AND PEASANTS

 The UNEF welcomes the actual junction of striking workers with students which took place in Paris on May 24, as well as in many provincial University cities, in the factories, and in the facultés. In all these cases tens of thousands of striking workers have joined the students.                            

 The UNEF sends its warmest greetings to all workers engaged in the battle with their unions. Because it believes in the importance of keeping a united student-worker front, it asks workers’ unions:
– To maintain the same solid front in face of government repression. As it happens, the refusal to give Daniel Cohn-Bendit a residence permit is precisely a decisive element of this repression.
-To remember that our position is a simple one: never, and in no way, do we intend to give lessons to working class organizations, but on the other hand, none will be accepted with regard to the student struggle.

 Permanent discussions exist at the grass roots between students and workers. To the extent that the aforementioned points are clearly understood, the UNEF proposes that the same discussions be begun on all levels with the workers’ union organizations.

 The degree to which action carried out in Paris has been reproduced in the provinces has made extension to the workers sector possible.

 At present, and with the same concern for developing the movement, the UNEF calls on all students in all University cities to increase their activities:
– for continuation of our university combat
– for union of students and workers
– for their common victory.

National Committee of the UNEF, 
May 25, 1968.

(Translated in Fisera – Document 53, and in Schnapp -Document 111)

THE UNEF PROPOSES…

 Considering the extension of the student and workers’ movement in Paris and the provinces, together with the outcome of preliminary discussions which have been taking place in the faculties, the UNEP national executive (national bureau) considers it to be its duty to sketch out a preliminary balance-sheet of events and to put forward some ideas for restarting discussions and action in all French universities. At all events, one thing is clear: the radical dispute going on within the university is inseparable from the challenge to the established power structure, in other words, the battle is currently taking on a political nature.
 At a time when the movement started by students is taking on a new perspective (factory occupations by workers), it is vital that we overcome any attempt to smother the movement, either by limiting its aims to purely university matters or by considering unity do be possible only in the forecourt of the Sorbonne. This is why it is so important for us to participate in the dynamic movement of social confrontation, chiefly by developing in the universities a potential for assertive demands. It is vital to put forward suggestions complying with this analysis.

 Four main objectives can be suggested to the student movement:
 1. The immediate establishment of real student power in the faculties, with the right to veto any decisions made;
 2. Depending on this first point, the autonomy of universities and faculties;
 3. The extension of the struggle to all sectors involved with broadcasting the predominant ideology, which means the media;
 4. The real unification of workers and peasants causes by bringing up the same sort of confrontation with authority in the factories.

 These four vital factors will create the conditions necessary for solving other problems (exams, selection, political and trade-union freedom in faculties, schools and elsewhere).

I – STUDENT POWER 

 Whether it is by means of the Critical University, or by predominantly student committees or by a complete transformation of faculty meetings, what is important is that the student movement retains control over all decisions made in the University. Whatever structures are discussed at local level, it is the students right of veto which will allow decisions to become fact and prevent integration. 
 This measure must come into effect immediately, it alone justifies the continuation of the strike. 
 We all know, however, that in a capitalist regime such power can only be temporary.

II – UNIVERSITY AUTONOMY 

 Without student power, the autonomy of the university would be a mere trap. giving authority back do the university mandarins. On the other hand, without autonomy student power is a trap, since the government and administration retain the means of control. Autonomy means that all decisions taken by students in collaboration with the staff will come into effect immediately.

III – EXTENDING THE STRUGGLE TO ALL IDEOLOGICAL FIELDS

 It is by means of the media that the bourgeoisie is trying to destroy the movement, so it is by this means that we must publicise our actions and make them understood. This means that any source of information that toes the governments line must be fought whether it be the ORTF, private radio stations or the press. Not one paper must appear if it gives false information. We must act in close communication with journalists and printing workers. In the same way, youth and cultural centres, theatres and all artistic professions must join the struggle for the creation of a new people’s culture.

IV – LINKS BETWEEN WORKERS’ AND STUDENTS’ STRUGGLES

 The downfall of the present ruling power can only occur if the battle is led by the workers themselves. This means that the main strength behind changes in society remains the working class. Workers must take their futures into their own hands and fight against the power of management in business. For our part, this implies systematic participation in the discussions taking place in the working class – in order to present out point of view, and not to give lessons, Also, every university under student control should be open to workers, and in all discussions.
 The four points set out here should enable us to act and bring about the other demands which affect us:

 1. The boycott of traditional exams which only serve to eliminate students from a bankrupt education system. A provisional synthesis of the discussions enables us to present the following points:

 a) There is no question of victimising students for challenging the exams. This means it is inconceivable that the students should lose a year, nor that the militants who fought while others stayed at home, or who were wounded should suffer.
 Seeing that the challenge to the exam system is closely tied to a complete change in education, any discussions on how to test students’ knowledge are subordinate to it. What is important in the present climate is:
– student control of all exam procedures, or an alternative method for obtaining certificates ;
– in certain subjects, changing the contents of exams ;
– student control of all decisions ;

 b) There is no question of allowing exams and competition for national awards in their present form:
– we suggest changing the competitive award for the CAPES into an exam: this would mean success would not depend on rationing the posts available ;
– the baccalauréat: it is no longer feasible for the exam to continue under its present form. At the very least, we advocate that school students have the power of control and that all candidates have the right to take the oral exam.

 2. Political and trade-union freedoms are a fact in the faculties. They should also become so (student power having the right of veto) in the grandes écoles and secondary schools, UNEF declares itself in solidarity with the CAL on this point, and will support and participate in the struggle for recognition for the CAL in schools and for their complete freedom of action and expression.

 3. No selection at entry and throughout higher education. Given that a complete change in education is a primary objective, we declare ourselves against any form of selection.

What Should Be Done Right Now?                                    

1. It is essential to continue discussion of fundamental issues in every domain and on every level. But from now on, the UNEF calls on its militants immediately to seize control of university institutions. If discussions with the teachers remain necessary, the right of veto on all decisions taken is the only valid guarantee.
The control to be set up in terms of relative strength can only be given to the combat, strike, or action committees that have actually led the action during these last ten days. Wherever the relative strength is not favourable we must have recourse to parallel structures (the counter university or others) in order to maintain pressure that would make it possible to obstruct the functioning of the traditional University. This line, which is applicable under present circumstances, can be altered according to the evolution of our relative strength.

2. Proclamation of autonomy must be demanded now. But this proclamation must be made only if the first point (right of veto) has been obtained, and with all the necessary guarantees that this autonomy will not bring about a reinforcement of the conservative and technocratic professional fraction.

3. The mass media battle must be waged in every university city. This means that no regional newspaper can come out if it has not accurately presented information concerning our struggle, demonstrations, occupation of premises, boycott of distribution, etc., will be organised in collaboration with newspaper workers.
The battle in the cultural sector can also be waged with young workers in order to orient the activity of youth and cultural centres toward combat (occupations, organisation of political discussions, etc.).
As regards other sectors of cultural life, participation will take place in agreement with artists who have taken a stand against bourgeois culture.

4. Occupation of factories by the workers has already begun. Our role is to broaden the campaign of political explanation to prevent the government and the reactionaries from separating the student and worker struggles. The UNEP militants will therefore take part in the meetings, assemblies, and demonstrations decided upon by the workers, this participation being considered by us as a priority.

This series of proposals has been introduced into the free discussions that have been going on for several days now in the university.

NATIONAL BOARD OF THE UNEF