The University of Jordan held university elections for its student government on Dec 21, 2010. Following reports of violence and election irregularities, the University promptly issued statements denying the clashes. Less than two weeks later, further clashes broke out. Hamzeh Lattouf tweeted:
الحرس الجامعي حاول وقف المشاجرة في الجامعة الاردنية باستخدام خراطيم المياه
Lattouf then launched a series of tweets asking Walid Maani, the Minister of Higher Education, to launch reforms to curb violence:
YE @WalidMaani make a study. what type of people r making such troubles, those with less luck or whatever,start accepting them in diff Univ
Lattouf then tweeted videos featuring students pelting rocks at each other, and of a person being removed on a stretcher:
طوشة السلطية والحمايدة في الجامعة الاردنية | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WUdbdazS2E #Amman #JO
2 طوشة السلطية والحمايدة في الجامعة الاردنية http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdynl17eviQ #Amman #JO
As the videos were retweeted, Jordanians such as Nada Abandah added their dismay:
University students or some sort of a gang #Jo http://ow.ly/3wCf2
Mohammed Yousef added his condemnation, also tagging Maani:
this is what #Jordan universities stepped down to http://youtu.be/4WUdbdazS2E cc: @WalidMaani #Jo
Ali Al-Hasani tweeted:
Can i just say one thing before we enter 2011? THANK GOD I DIDN'T STUDY IN ANY JORDAN UNIVERSITY! http://youtu.be/4WUdbdazS2E #Amman #Jo
In a country proud of its educational achievements, a governmental response to prevent further clashes seems likely.