PHITSANULOK - Students and administrators at Naresuan University, at odds over a "green campus" concept, struck a compromise deal on Thursday to prevent the project from failing completely.
Student union leaders met administrative staff, led by university president Sujin Jinahyon, in an attempt to thrash out their difference over the scheme, which prohibits students and all personnel from using motorcycles on campus.
Bicycles and electric carts are provided for them to get between classes and other buildings.
The campaign to turn the campus in Muang district into what was being touted as a ''green and clean university" instead turned into a protest by about 1,000 students on Tuesday to scrap the initiative as it made it difficult for them to travel between classes. The students also said their rights would be curtailed as cars were still allowed.
Jatupat Saengsawang and Sasima Utang, representing the student union, said after the two-hour meeting that the students and university executives agreed to scale down the green zone, but bicycles and electric carts only will be allowed at the main lecture hall. Students can travel by motorbike in other areas, they added.
Anupan Sittichokechaiwut, vice-president for student affairs, promised flexibility with the project by receivinging reaction from students to keep it moving forward.
The no-motorcycle campaign was officially announced on May 12 and took effect on July 1 as the university sought to curb "traffic congestion" and reduce "carbon monoxide" on campus.