A democratically elected delegate to the Equal Treatment Council operating at the University of Lodz (UŁ) was hastily removed from it. The reason? A photo with the Sword of Chrobry from the Independence March. In his place, a student active in circles linked to the Civic Coalition (KO) was appointed – one who had participated, among other things, in the Campus Poland of the Future and supported the organization of equality parades, as established by Niezalezna.
At the beginning of last year, the Equal Treatment Council was established at UŁ. As stated on the university’s website, it plays an advisory and consultative role, and its mission is to develop, expand, and implement organizational, administrative, and educational solutions consistent with the principles of equal treatment, aimed at counteracting all forms of discrimination in the academic environment.
A fair university?
The niezalezna.pl portal has learned that in November of last year, one of the previously elected delegates was dismissed from the Council. In this connection, we contacted the University Student Government Council of UŁ (URSS) to request documents related to the election of delegates.
History student Gustaw Glicner put forward his candidacy for the Equal Treatment Council at UŁ. In a note accompanying his candidacy, he emphasized that he wanted to pay particular attention to issues of equal opportunities resulting from financial circumstances.
“I believe that economic differences should not translate into access to education, opportunities for development, or participation in academic life. I would like the University of Lodz to be a place where everyone, regardless of the size of their wallet, can fully benefit from the opportunities on offer. It is also important to me that gender equality be understood more broadly, as support for both women and men, so that no one feels excluded or overlooked in university life. I believe that true equality is not only about regulations and procedures, but above all about everyday respect, empathy, and solidarity in relations between people. I am running because I would like to make a real contribution to ensuring that the University of Lodz is a fair, supportive, and open environment for all,” the student wrote in his note.
On 12 November, URSS adopted a resolution on delegating a student representative to the Council. Student Gustaw Glicner was delegated. According to the protocol of the circulating (secret) vote, he received 15 votes – one more than his sole rival, Adrian Niewiadomski.
An uproar over the “Sword of Chrobry”
Shortly after the vote, a heated exchange took place on an unofficial URSS messaging platform. On the very same day, one of the URSS members, Michał Bartyzel, submitted a motion to dismiss the newly appointed delegate. In the document, the applicant pointed out that on 11 November Glicner had posted a photo on Facebook in which he poses with a flag depicting the “Sword of Chrobry.”
Bartyzel described the flag as a symbol used by nationalist movements.
Let us recall that the flag with which the history student posed is a symbol that has been used for years by Polish nationalists. It depicts the coronation sword of the kings of Poland.
“Posting this photo may indicate the delegate’s identification with extreme views that stand in contradiction to the mission and values of the Council. Such an attitude may raise justified doubts as to his impartiality and ability to represent the student community within it in the spirit of equality, diversity, and respect for all social groups,” we read in the motion to dismiss.
The applicant emphasized that UŁ is an open university and recalled public “gestures of solidarity – such as displaying the LGBTQ+ flag on the Rectorate building during the month of support and solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.” He assessed that Glicner holding the function was “incompatible with the seriousness and mission of the body.”
“Those who defended me were being called nationalists,” Gustaw Glicner told us.
The LGBT delegate
On 20 November, URSS adopted a resolution dismissing the history student from his role as delegate to the Equal Treatment Council at UŁ. Sixteen voters supported the dismissal, while nine voted against.
On 18 December, in turn, a resolution was adopted appointing the aforementioned Adrian Niewiadomski, who had previously lost the vote to Glicner. This time, 14 voters supported Niewiadomski, while five backed Zofia Jochim.
Some URSS members were outraged by the dismissal of Gustaw Glicner. – “Everyone has the right to have doubts, but this case is some kind of absurdity. It looks like many people perceive the problem of discrimination very narrowly, whereas it is in fact a very broad issue,” says a URSS member who wishes to remain anonymous.
A petition was also created in defense of the dismissed student.
“Our colleague had no chance whatsoever to prove himself, or even to make a mistake. He held his function for only a few days. How can we assess someone’s usefulness on a committee without giving them even a moment to act, present ideas, or make a real contribution to the Council’s work? Such an attitude contradicts all principles of academic coexistence. We demand that he be judged by his actions, not by assumptions. The motion we refer to contradicts the very goals of the committee. The Equal Treatment Council has specific, important tasks, including counteracting discrimination at our university,” we read in the petition.
As established by the niezalezna.pl portal, Niewiadomski has long been actively involved in circles linked to the Civic Coalition (KO). In the past, he was active in Nowoczesna, in the Fabryka Równości organization, and supported the organization of Equality Marches. He was the coordinator of the LGBTQ+-Friendly Schools Ranking in the Łódzkie Voivodeship. He also participated in Rafał Trzaskowski’s Campus Poland of the Future.
“It looks like the council exists only to deal with LGBT issues,” the dismissed student concludes.