Lists of expelled academics were prepared by their universities: Turkey's Higher Education Board

The lists of academics expelled with the latest state of emergency decree on Feb. 7 was prepared by their own universities, Turkey's Higher Education Board's (YÖK) press adviser has said after the board received harsh criticism from opposition groups and the scholars themselves. 

"The entire process on expulsions is controlled by universities. Universities prepare the list and YÖK does not track that," Şener Aslan told BBC Turkish service on Feb. 8, adding that the expulsion of even one academic was excessive and intractable for them.
 
"The expulsion of even one academic is too much for us. I wish they never took place," he said. 

Answering a question on why the board had not released a statement after the expulsions, Aslan said it was not possible for them to comment on each decision.  

"Investigations into terrorist organizations are being conducted in universities. The names affected by the state of emergency decrees are determined by their own universities. These universities carry out examinations and investigations and order the dismissals, suspensions and expulsions. As YÖK, we decided that universities should handle these processes, because they know the academics the best. We cannot know the truth of the allegations on academics when the case comes to us," he added.  

Saying that the expulsions should be carried out based on documents, Aslan noted that "the people should be known."

"Because of this, as YÖK, we've decided that all processes should be made solely by universities, which has been going on this way for some time. We cannot release a statement on why each person was expelled. If people have objections, they can apply to their universities," he added. 

Aslan said the expulsions were...