Students and faculty at the renowned Boğaziçi University, as well as supporters, have been protesting since early January against the appointment of Erdoğan favorite Melih Bulu as rector and thus the overriding of academic autonomy. Countless students have been arrested since then, six of whom are still in prison. In solidarity with the six detainees, a six-day university strike begins today under the slogan "If our friends are not there, we are absent, too."

Students logged into online classes and declared their protest. In the afternoon, larger actions and a resistance festival are expected on the university campus.