Penza, 3 January 2014. PenzaNews. Stanislav Sivakon, the head of the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Military Emergency Medicine at Medical Institute of Penza State University, presented his view on the conflict that took place between the management, teachers and students of the university after which he, Afanasy Baulin and Oksana Vorobyova were dismissed from their posts of deputy directors of the Medical Institute in December 2013.

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“We got fired because we tried to openly express our opinion which was at odds with the position of the leadership,” he said in an interview with the newspaper Ulitsa Moskovskaya.

“We started this struggle last year because of the distressful situation for the students. At some departments they were simply oppressed. During the examination period about 80 students of 100 are included in the list of students who may be expelled. For example, this situation was common for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Thanks to our struggle, 10 people were dismissed and others were saved. The students were dismissed because they had not pass the exams. But I will never believe that 80 out of 100 people cannot pass the exam,” Stanislav Sivakon said.

As an example he told about the situation when students of the Department of Microbiology, who were not questioned by the teacher because the class was over, were put on the list of those who missed the class.

“The most “significant” department at the institute is the Department of Information Systems and Equipment where computer science is taught. This subject is so “important” for the future doctor that annually the department puts on the expel list up to 100 people. They say it is impossible to pass the exam in computer science without special envelope handed over with the help of a trusted man. And at least one failing exam or test may be the ground for expulsion. We, three of us, tried to fight against such situation to save the students,” Stanislav Sivakon added.

In his opinion, the situation in the university is the result of the position taken by Alexander Mitroshin, the Director of Medical Institute of PSU, Penza City Duma deputy of the fifth convocation, United Russia party.

“Alexander Mitroshin is a deputy, a builder of houses and industrial parks, the great scientist. He rarely visits the Medical Institute, and is mainly engaged in political activities. And when he finally comes, the students cannot meet with him. During the summer examination period our relations worsened. Students who could not get the response from Mitroshin tried to reach the principal. But they were caught be the first vice-principal Viktor Mescheryakov who fully supports Alexander Mitroshin. He told the students that they should not complain to the principal, but should complain about their own brains. In short, the problem of students still remains unsolved. In spring, we wrote an open letter to the principal [Vladimir] Volchikhin. There started some kind of movement, but then there was a shift of power. Volchikhin became not interested in Mitroshin, and Gulyakov [Acting principal of Penza State University from May 2013, and principal of PSU from December 3] was not interested in him at all. Moreover, with the appointment of Gulyakov Mitroshin hinted that from then on he would be able to defeat all his enemies,” Stanislav Sivakon said.

He also added that it was the initiative of Alexander Mitroshin to convene the Academic Council on December 17, during which it was decided to dismiss three deputy directors of Medical Institute.

“In accordance with the regulations of the University, vice deans and vice directors of the university may be appointed and removed by order of the principle upon the recommendation of the director. Nevertheless, Mitroshin insisted on voting. And then speaking to the principle, he referred to the fact that it was not his decision but the Academic Council’s. And [...] our dismissal procedure started. Outraged students who learnt about it blocked the principle’s building with the claim to leave us alone. The principle spoke with ten of them and came to the conclusion that all these nearly 400 people were bribed by us and that we put a human shield. Despite students’ protests that lasted two days, we were still fired on December 23,” Stanislav Sivakon explained.

According to him, the activity of the students was a nice surprise for him.

“I did not know that we enjoy such popularity among students. I am no longer the deputy director, but I am still the head of the department, and will not be fired from this position for three more years. It was our secondary jobs – being deputies. And most of all I am proud of our students, because they go with bare hands against tanks. And they realize that they can be oppressed during the examination period and can be expelled. I just tip my hat to them. I am proud that I have the privilege to teach these people,” the teacher stressed.

Stanislav Sivakon supposed that the conflict that erupted in the medical school and received wide publicity had negative impact on the reputation of its director.

“The benefit for Alexander Mitroshin is that he creates an image of the great scientist, politician and strategist before the principle, governor, and some people in Moscow. And the image of the great scientist opens many doors. This scandal does not play into his hands. But there is a philosophical law of the passage of quantitative changes into qualitative changes. All this had accumulated and sooner or later this “barrel with feces” should have exploded. This is even more strange now, when according to the new federal law, all positions in universities are elected. Prior to this, Mitroshin was appointed the director, and now he is facing an election. I expect the elections will be at the end of February. So it is difficult to say why he’s doing all this,” the head of the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Military Emergency Medicine at Medical Institute of Penza State University concluded.