The most dramatic example of student reaction now is in Germany, where the largest student demonstrations since the 1960s have taken place in the past few months to protest the rapidly deteriorating conditions in German universities. Massive demonstrations in Berlin, Frankfurt, and other cities have involved thousands of students in protests against budget cuts, overcrowding in the universities, and the general neglect of the universities by German authorities, who have been focused on economic problems and the challenges of reunification. It is widely recognized that the universities have suffered dramatically in recent years. They have been forced to absorb major increases in student numbers without added resources. This has led to overcrowding.
Students now take seven or more years to finish their first degrees.
Some are even choosing to study in other countries, such as the Netherlands, where academic conditions are better. After suffering silently for almost a decade, the current wave of demonstrations has forced governmental authorities to take notice. So far, the only reaction has been finger-pointing by federal and state authorities. In France, students over the past decade have taken to the streets to protest against educational reforms aimed at rationalizing the French university system and making student funding income related. Students succeeded in halting the reform, and French politicians, regardless of party, are reluctant to propose any new changes in current policy for fear of arousing student opposition.