Rector who told student asking for 'disabled restroom' to 'make a donation' speaks out: 'My words were distorted'

Kocaeli University (KOÜ) Rector Prof. Dr. Nuh Zafer Cantürk met with students at a Q&A event held the other day.

Answering students' questions, Rector Prof. Dr. Nuh Zafer Cantürk listened to their requests. During the Q&A, a disabled student stated that there was no disabled restroom in their faculty.

The dialogue between the Rector and the student sparked controversy. Kocaeli University Rector Prof. Dr. Nuh Zafer Cantürk, who is at the center of the controversy, made statements.

"THIS ISSUE WAS DISTORTED"

Stating that the issue was distorted, Kocaeli University Rector Prof. Dr. Nuh Zafer Cantürk said, "I am a rector who has made it a motto to constantly talk to our students and exchange ideas. Over the last 2 years, we have implemented practices such as walks with our students, breakfasts, meetings in cafes, being one-on-one with them in their activities, and accepting every application they make to the rectorate.

The meeting where the incident that was reflected in the press yesterday and caused the misunderstanding to grow took place was one of dozens of events we organized for consultation with our students during our rectorate process. In these meetings, we value every student's opinion with an understanding of high accessibility.

The information provided by our disabled student who attended the meeting regarding the problems of disabled students was very valuable in this context. I already thanked them. I told our student, ‘I received your email, we did what was necessary, I know what you said.’ After they sent that email to me, I gave instructions to the Head of the Construction Department, Mr. Hasan. I stated that a space had been allocated for this young woman, that she was taking her classes on that floor, and that an arrangement would be made that could also be used as a restroom. However, such an issue came to the agenda just as this preparation was being made.

Our friends accelerated this situation and arranged that restroom in a way that disabled students can now use it as well. The issue of a disabled restroom raised during the event is not a matter that cannot be solved by the power of our state. This issue was distorted. Our state is strong; it can build thousands, hundreds of thousands of restrooms. The issue here is not just a restroom. What we meant is our effort to carry out accessibility projects, including elevators that should be available for the disabled, in all buildings and on all our campuses at our university," he said.

"IF THE ENTIRE SPEECH WERE LISTENED TO, THE ISSUE WOULD BE UNDERSTOOD"

Explaining the dialogue that took place between him and the disabled student, Rector Prof. Dr. Nuh Zafer Cantürk said, "Our state is capable of doing this. However, this process can take time. In this context, I asked them to present me with a methodology. I said, ‘You need to specify a method.’ As can be understood from the speeches, I already detailed this. I said, ‘You know how this will happen.’ Some people there distorted it. They said, ‘Are we going to find the resources?’ I also made statements in the sense of, ‘This is not a very elegant thing. I am not telling you to find resources.’ In fact, if the entire speech were listened to, the issue would be clearly understood. But in the end, the necessary restroom for this student was built. No one needs to make a restroom donation at our university. Our state is strong," he said.

"THIS SITUATION WILL NOT BREAK MY ENTHUSIASM"

Stating that they will continue their work, Rector Prof. Dr. Cantürk said, "Apart from all these efforts, the footage taken during a spontaneous speech that day was taken out of context, ignoring the work we have carried out in the name of our university, and was served to the press in a purposeful manner. I am saddened, but this situation will not break my enthusiasm. My enthusiasm is to be with the students, not to be a burden to them, but to support them. I will walk with our students again, I will chat again, I will be with them in all their activities again. Let no one doubt this. Let no one try to take credit for themselves from this," he said.

"WE ARE NOT POLITICIANS, WE ARE SINCERE SPEAKERS"

Finally, Rector Cantürk expressed the following; "I am a rector of a learning university, one that learns but also tries to teach. I am the father, uncle, brother, teacher, and rector of our students. In the end, I have always been happy to be with them. I will continue to be happy from now on. We are not politicians, we are sincere speakers."

News Source: İHA