Singing paratroopers and a priest with holy water at the graduation ceremony. Graduates of a Ryazan university have asked for the dismissal of the military rector who "stole the party."
According to graduates of the S. A. Yesenin Russian State University, the graduation ceremony has turned into a "military oath" and a "PR stunt for the rector." In a petition published on the "RSU Memfak" public group, they are calling for Igor Murog's dismissal.
"We could turn a blind eye to Murog's occasional eccentricities. Sometimes they were rather amusing, like standing guard with a stopwatch in the morning. But everything has its limits. Igor Alexandrovich disregarded the opinions of the students, showed disrespect to parents and faculty, and robbed us of our celebration—the graduation ceremony. <…> Diplomas were presented at the faculty desks. What was happening was more reminiscent of a military oath. Why was it necessary to drag in singing paratroopers, the Federal Penitentiary Service, a field kitchen, and so on? Why do we, at OUR event, need a priest with holy water? We have believers of various faiths, even atheists. Igor Alexandrovich, we understand that the university needs drummers more than the graduates' parents. Dear authorities! Please take him back," the appeal reads.
It's worth noting that there had been protests against Murog before. As soon as he was appointed rector, students and faculty launched a petition calling for the colonel's resignation. A few months after his arrival at RSU, due to a lack of funding, closed youth choir that existed for 17 years.
Photo: official RSU public page