Students in Lviv in defence of the autonomy of the institutions of tertiary education (1932–1939)

Abstract

In the year 1932, the Ministry of Religious Confessions and Public Enlightenment significantly raised tuition fees for tertiary education, which caused vehement protests and strikes in the community of students. In January, 1933, those failing to pay their tuition fees, were struck off the lists of students. The Parliament of the Republic of Poland passed a new Act on Tertiary Education, significantly reducing the autonomy of universities, which was met with protests of teaching staff and students. In Lviv, the academic community declared a three-week strike. The students occupied the building of their institution of tertiary education and organized demonstrations. Fighting and scuffles between the police and students who supported the authorities and the opposition occurred.