St Petersburg University students launch a petition against deductions for participation in unauthorized rallies

St Petersburg University students opposed the practice of deductions for participation in uncoordinated actions against Russia’s special operation in Ukraine. The corresponding appeal is published on the website change.org.

The authors of the petition recalled that the law does not oblige the university to apply “disproportionate” disciplinary sanctions in the form of deductions for bringing students to administrative responsibility. The legal norms mention that representatives of the university must take into account the severity of the misconduct, its causes and circumstances, the student’s previous behavior, the opinion of student and parent councils, follows from the letter.

“We ask the leadership and teachers of St. Petersburg State University to take into account the severity and pain of recent events for many young people and be guided by the principles of kindness and justice. We ask St Petersburg University to protect the right of young people to education and not to deprive them of development opportunities in such a difficult time for our country,” the appeal says.

The petition is addressed to Rector Nikolai Kropachev, Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs Alexander Babich and First Vice-Rector Elena Chernova. Over 450 people signed in thirteen hours.

“Stand up for the values ​​of our culture and education. Be fair and kind to the younger generation. It will repay you with gratitude,” students say.

The practice of expelling students from St Petersburg University for bringing them to administrative responsibility after participating in unauthorized rallies is indicated by student council materials published on social networks and official comments by university representatives. As of March 6, thirteen draft orders for expulsion are known, which were submitted to the representative body of students for expressing their opinion. However, the position of the Student Council is not guiding for the university, as officially announced.

“The procedure does not provide for a procedure for obtaining consent to disciplinary action, therefore, even if the Student Council (Student Council) of St Petersburg University does not agree with the proposed measure of disciplinary action, this measure can be applied,” Vice-Rector Alexander Babich said in the virtual reception of the university.

As the correspondent of “Rosbalt” was informed in the press service of the university, at present, none of the students has yet been expelled. “The University requested the opinion of the Council of Students (Student Council) of St Petersburg University on the measure of disciplinary action. The opinion of the Student Council will be carefully studied and taken into account when making the final decision,” Vice-Rector Alexander Babich said in the latest publication in the virtual reception.

In the meantime, the Student Council prepared legal recommendations on the participation of students in pickets and rallies.

Recall that earlier the university requested written explanations from students and threatened with expulsions.