Coinciding with the commemoration of Pancasila Day, the Universitas Gadjah Mada Student Executive Board (BEM UGM) officially announced its institutional transformation into the UGM Student Union (SEMA UGM). The declaration was held on Monday (Jun. 1) at the UGM Boulevard. The change marks the beginning of a new direction for the student movement, one that is considered more adaptive, inclusive, and responsive to contemporary challenges.
SEMA UGM Chair, Sheron Adam Funay, explained that the transformation is not merely a change of name but represents a new orientation aimed at addressing what he described as the “illness” of fragmentation and elitism within the student movement.
“We believe that through the UGM Student Union, fragmentation and elitism within the movement can be addressed. SEMA is not a hierarchical executive body but an organization on an equal footing with faculty-level student organizations, to unite student movements,” he said.
Sheron added that the transformation introduces fundamental structural changes, including the elimination of the Student General Election (Pemilwa) system. According to him, the open political contestation model is vulnerable to issues of popularity, political patronage, and power struggles.
“As a result, it can obscure the true purpose of the student movement,” he said.
Through SEMA UGM, the International Relations student explained that the organization will implement a merit-based selection system.
“We are not trying to place individuals who win political contests into strategic positions. We uphold meritocracy and hard work, so people attain strategic roles based on their capabilities, not because of political victories,” he emphasized.
In addition, the transformation redefines the institution’s claim to representation. Sheron noted that BEM had often been perceived as representing all UGM students. Therefore, the shift from BEM to SEMA is intended to position the organization as one that represents its members without claiming to speak on behalf of the entire student body.
“BEM has often been viewed as the representative of all UGM students. SEMA is different because it positions itself as an organization that represents its members without claiming to speak for all university students,” he said.
Tiyo Ardianto, Chair of BEM UGM for the 2025 term, who was also present at the event, expressed support for the transformation, describing it as an important moment to revive the driving force of campus democracy amid increasingly complex national sociopolitical challenges.
According to him, the model of total representation practiced by BEM no longer aligns with the realities of students, many of whom are apathetic toward organized movements.
“Today, what we need is no longer formal representation but active participation. That is what the Student Union is trying to achieve. Therefore, even though it is membership-based or cadre-based, it does not mean that it is indifferent to others,” he said.
Tiyo added that the current national sociopolitical situation requires students to formulate new strategies that no longer rely on elitist forms of activism.
“We should appreciate what Sheron and his colleagues are doing as an effort to respond to the demands of the times. Now is the moment for the student movement to transform,” he said.
Author: Aldi Firmansyah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photo: Firsto