At the heart of the student protest movement, there is the law Pécresse, called the law LRU (on the freedoms and responsibilities of universities). Voted by parliamentarians in July and enacted Aug. 10, was one of the priorities of Nicolas Sarkozy. Today, the most radical of students, around-SUD or coordination, demanding its repeal, believing that it meant the end of public service education. The Unef acknowledges, however, that a reform of the university is essential, but that this law is bad. All around are of great concern that the government considers unfounded. Review fears of the five most discussed in the general meetings.

What the law says. All universities have gained in five years their autonomy and manage their budgets. The presidents become the true masters, with strengthened powers-the veto on the appointment, distribution of premiums, and so on. The Board of Directors is tightened (the weight of elected officials, including students, decreases), and it can create foundations to attract private capital. The state provides tax exemptions for patronage.

What are afraid of the protesters. They believe that universities autonomous and using private funds, the State will take the opportunity to withdraw. As to alleviate the misery of universities, it should do the opposite. The Minister of Higher Education, Valerie Pécresse, contests, with 1 billion more for the university in the budget 2008, the state has never made such an effort. False replicate students: the bulk goes to tax credits, late payments, investment in real estate. In addition, none was created when he needed for tackling the licensor (40% during the first two years).

THE RISE IN TUITION what the law says. It is enshrined in a law older than the state sets the amount of tuition fees. The LRU stipulates that the president must ensure that universities do not require extensions to students (annually Unef made the list of universities who abuse).

For the protesters, it is a logical deduction: universities, dropped by the state, seek new revenue own side of the students.

What the law says. It makes no distinctions between campuses. On the contrary, under pressure including the Unef, autonomy which would be optional will finally devolve to all universities.

Pour les protestataires, la différence qui existe déjà entre une grande université parisienne et une petite de province risque de se creuser. For the protesters, the difference which exists between a major university and a small Parisian province risk to widen. Major will indeed come together in powerful Pres (poles of research and higher education), where cutting-edge research will concentrate and where capital flow. Small will of education with shorter courses and applied research.