Rebellion in the university

 Confrontation in Tbilisi State University continues.

Two opposing student protest rallies have been simultaneously held today. One group of students has

Confrontation in Tbilisi State University continues.
Two opposing student protest rallies have been simultaneously held today. One group of students has protested against nomination of Giorgi Gaprindashvili for the University chancellor’s post and demanded launching a probe into existence of the so-called ODR officers (active reserve officers) in the university. Meanwhile, another rally has been organized by Gaprindashvili’s supporters, who have demanded resignation of the university rector.
The protest rally grew into a clash between the opposing parties. The conflict began after the members of the university self-government had entered the building and tried to get to the place, where students had been rallying for several days, demanding university’s autonomy.
University security guards and police officers managed to quickly defuse the tension.
Some time ago, George Gaprindashvili announced about withdrawal of his candidacy for the chancellor’s post. In his words, the decision was made proceeding from the university’s best interests

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                                                          11.03.2016

There has been a confrontation at Tbilisi State University for already three days. The situation has tensed after the University Senate conducted a session to elect a new Chancellor.
The only candidate, nominated for this post, turned out to be unacceptable for students. The students gathered outside the university and in the entrance hall and did not leave the university building even at night.

So, what do the students specifically protest against?
Chancellor is the second administrative manager after the Rector, in charge of financials issues material and human resources. Consequently, it is of particular importance for functioning of the university who will assume this post.
The University’s 42-member Senate, that comprises academic staff and students, was to elect the new Chancellor on March 10. Giorgi Gaprindashvili was the only person, nominated for this post.
The students whistled and shouted at the university hall in protest against Gafrindashvili’s possible appointment.

Students demanded to be allowed to attend the Senate session and the voting procedure. However, the security guards prevented them from entering the session hall. Then the police were called, as the situation aggravated. This, in turn, made the students’ protest even more acute. The protesters did not let the Senate members enter the hall, which finally disrupted the session.

The protestors accused Gaprindashvili of having links with security services, pursuing political interests and exerting pressure upon the students.
Students claim, that in 2011, Giorgi Gaprindashvili, who was then the university administration employee, covered up the student self-government members’ violent actions against some critically disposed students.
‘If a student had questioned the appropriateness of spending the self-government budgetary funds or criticized the student self-government over some other matter, he was brutally dealt with. Gaprindashvili was in the administration then and he turned a blind eye to all that, ‘- says Levan Lortkipanidze, student, Senate member.
Besides, students claim, Gaprindashvili has links with National Security Service official, Iva Kasradze, who is also holding an administrative position in the university.
Students’ indignation was further fueled by the University Rector, Lado Papava’s public recognition of the fact that some of the university staff members were commissioned there by the national state security service and that one of them – Iva Kasradze, used to be Gaprindashvili’s fellow student.
This statement caused outrage among the non-governmental organizations. ‘Transparency International Georgia’ demanded from Papava to make clarifications regarding the grounds for university’s cooperation with the security service.
Gaprindashvili’s candidacy has been actively supported by the student self-government, to which the students also have a lot of claims. They say, the student self-government is a group of privileged people, driven by personal, opportunistic goals, who are inappropriately spending the university’s budget funds.
‘For example, the self-government members go to Bakuriani on vacation and call it a training. They get money from the fund, that is actually designed to cover the costs of students’ participation in exchange programs and conferences,’- says Irakli Kupradze, TSU student.
Gaprindashvili responded to the aforesaid accusations against him through the Facebook and termed them as absurd.
Finally, the Rector offered students to participate in debates on Giorgi Gaprindashvili’s candidacy. However, the protesters are not going to give up on their stance and, along with Gaprindashvili’s withdrawal as candidate, they also flatly demand from the Rector’s Office to stop promoting self-government’s privileges and carry out reforms in the Chancellor election system.
Ilia State University students also joined the TSU students’ protest.