President of Russian State Humanitarian University (RGGU) left it, carrying away the position itself.
Photo: Aleksander Saverkin
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Yuri Afanasyev Covered YUKOS Tracks
// RGGU remained without president
It became known yesterday that Yuri Afanasyev, founder of Russian State Humanitarian University (RGGU) abnegated his powers as president of the university. RGGU’s academic council not only accepted his resignation, but also abolished the position of the president in the university’s charter. By leaving, Afanasyev finally delivered RGGU from the shadow of YUKOS and his own political image.
Yuri Afanasyev asked out at his own will, attaching a medical certificate of illness. Academic council gave the president 2 weeks to think, in case he changed his mind. However, he confirmed his intention to leave.
The council adopted by the majority of votes several decisions at once. First, it accepted the president’s resignation request. Second, it abolished the position of the president which had been established in the university’s charter.
Afanasyev’s life was closely intertwined with the university, beginning from 1986, when he became its rector and remained such for 10 years afterwards. Then, oil company YUKOS decided to give $100 million to the university for its development. YUKOS co-owner Leonid Nevzlin became rector, and Afanasyev became the university’s president – a position created specially for him.
Afanasyev criticized the authorities, the policy of Russian president and government, issuing publications signed with “RGGU president” signature. Some of his colleagues believe a politician heading a university is nonsense. With a new rector and without a president, RGGU’s position strengthened: it is now participating actively in national projects, and hopes to receive financial support from the budget.
Officially, the university expressed sadness for its founder’s leaving. Yet, some RGGU members were philosophic, saying that Afanasyev felt it was time to go, and so he went.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Sep. 16, 2006
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