“Student Issue” at Kiev University on the Pages of the “Kievlyanin” Newspaper in the 1860–1870s

Abstract. This article focuses on the history of the “student issue” at Kyiv University during the reform period of 60–70s in the 19th century. The author draws on archival and published sources, as well as research literature. The publications of the newspaper “Kievlyanin”, one of the leading periodicals of South-Western region (Kyiv, Volyn and Podolsk provinces) during this period, became fundamental for this article. Liberalization of university policy in the late 50s–early 60s of the 19th century had a direct influence on young students, including those at Kiev University. The outbreak of the unrest of Kiev students was largely caused by extreme hardships. Canteens, solidarity funds, etc. played a special role in the lives of students. Therefore, any attempts by the government to outlaw communities only aggravated the resentment of the students. The importance of the student poverty problem has been repeatedly reported in “Kievlyanin”. Rector of Kyiv University N.Kh. Bunge presented the opinion of the Kyiv newspaper’s editors. While defending the importance of student communities, Bunge also recognized the need to establish a connection between students, the university and society. However, the government’s wariness towards student associations made it difficult to understand the most significant cause of unrest — poverty, and the unwillingness to radically solve this problem turned into a series of riots.

Keywords: Kyiv University, “student issue”, student unrest, student associations, “Kievlyanin”, V.Ya. Shulgin, N.Kh. Bunge, journalism, South-West region.