Splitting the Croatian Society of Mathematicians and Physicists in two

The debate on the proposal for the separation of the Croatian Society of Mathematicians and Physicists into the Croatian Mathematical Society and the Croatian Physics Society took place on 18 April 1990 in the Mathematical Lecture Theatre in the Faculty of Science on Marko Marulić Square in Zagreb. The minutes of the meeting appeared in S Martinović, XXXIX Annual General Assembly of the Society of Mathematicians and Physicists of Croatia, Glasnik matematički (3) 25 (45) (1990), 430-431. We give below an English version of these Minutes:

Item 7. Discussion on the proposal for the separation of the Croatian Mathematical Society and the Croatian Physics Society into the Croatian Mathematical Society and the Croatian Physics Society.

M Šikić: This proposal had already been discussed at the Presidency of the Society, where mathematicians supported it, and physicists were against separation.

M Polonijo: This is an old idea that was previously proposed by physicists. The reasons for the separation are as follows: Mathematics and physics are two large, clearly defined professions. They have separated societies in most countries in the world, and in some other of our republics. At the time when the Society was small, it was natural to be together. But now, that is no longer the case. It would be more profitable to split them apart. Funding would be simpler, and in our actions we would have a greater voice. The Scientific-Teaching Council of the Mathematics Department unanimously supported the proposal for separation.

S Bariašić: He thinks this separation will necessarily be inevitable, but he will argue against it. It was he who was defended by the physicists at the Presidency of the Society. He also contacted colleagues individually, given that both the Mathematicians and Physicists of the Society meet individually and not as institutions. They concluded that the discussion had to be moved to this Assembly. He listed the arguments against separation.

M Kurnik: We do not suggest separation because of misunderstandings and we do not have to work under compulsion. It is difficult and tedious to launch proposals, competitions, and initiatives with the current organisation. If we had separate societies it would be easier - there would be fewer themes, and smaller units would be more efficient for us as well as for physics colleagues. Everything would be a blessing for any relationship between each other. With regard to high school work, it might be better to do that with two societies under a certain agreement rather than one.

J Ivenašić: I would add some information. At the Ohrid Congress in 1970, there was a recommendation on separation. Our Assembly has already made such a decision based on the suggestion of a physicist. I was the president, we had already compiled two statutes when physical colleagues said that they had changed their minds.

M Šikić: The Assembly will vote and decide on the way forward. If it is passed, then separation.

A vote was taken on the proposal. Voting Results: 34 Votes for Separation of the Society, 9 votes against Separation.

L Neralić: I suggest that the Assembly delegates the Presidency to meet and discuss concrete moves. Personally, I think, we ought to be able to do this by the end of the year.

K Horvatić: The Presidency should not only meet, but have a meeting. A number of issues, including the Society's registry, will need to be addressed.

S Mardeašić: I suggest that the new organisation begins with the new year of 1991. The strategy can be discussed earlier, and the legal side needs to be prepared. As this is the first year of the Presidency, fortunately we do not make any major changes to the composition.

S Bariašić: Physicists will be loyal to this decision. Deadline by the end of 1990 is enough and we will work without delay.

L Randić: Some older members are simultaneously mathematicians and physicists. They should be given the option of being considered members of both societies and paying the membership fee of only one society.

S Mardeaić: I support this proposal. You should pay a fee, as is the practice in the so-called "nursing societies", and any journals they want to receive they pay specially.

M Šikić: We consider that it will be concluded by the end of 1990, preparations have already been made for separation.

The meeting unanimously supported by the Presidency's proposal to award the Charter for the fortieth anniversary of the Society's foundation to its zealous members. These were added to the Charter: V Bajrović, A Bjeliš, M Buljubašić, L Colombo, B Dakić, M Gelineo, Ž Hanković, Hanjš, K Horvatić, I Ivanšić, B Jagodić, J Jakopec, K Klaužer, M Krajnović, R Krsnik, A Kuntarić, Z Kurnik, B Mikuličić, U Milutinović, V Paar, P Papić, M Pešagić, Ž Pechers, P Pavković, G Pintarić, M Polonijo, L Randić, R Rasol, Z Roller, A Smontar, V Stošić, Z Šikić, V Sips, Z Šporer, E Šuštar, K Uzelac, B Valić, J Vuletin, N Zovko, D Žubrinić, P Zupanović, School Library, Zagreb, Technical Library, Zagreb, Graphic Institute of Croatia, Graphic Educational Center, Zagreb.

L Randić's proposal is supported that astronomers take their section within the Society of Physicists.

S Martinović

Last Updated February 2018