The experience of the applicants extends from the very recent past to much older, ten years or even more, thus showing that the events were not random.
“Gaining experience in further studies in other higher educational institutions, both in Latvia and abroad, I can conclude that the JVLMA Department of Ancient Music was ruled by the opinion of one person – the head Mārs Kupčas. Communication with the head of the department was complicated, unclear, difficult to understand hints.
The atmosphere in the department was rather demeaning to the students, not only the direction of the program, but also the evaluation criteria were unclear.”
This is an excerpt from one affidavit, which, along with ten others, is attached to the joint submission. Respecting the wishes of the submitters, the quotes used in the program are anonymous. Other testimonial writers did not even agree to anonymous citation.
In the last week of March, the application, which has the signatures of 28 current and former students and faculty members, was submitted to the Music Academy Council, the Ombudsman and the police.
Excerpt from the joint submission: “(..) we have personally experienced or witnessed the mobbing and bossing, manipulative work style, unethical attitude, tactless (sexist, misogynistic, homophobic) comments, insults, humiliation and belittling of Māras Kupča towards students and lecturers, psycho-emotional pressure and violence, favoritism, pushing out students and lecturers, blackmailing to achieve their personal goals, as well as concentrating power in their own hands and those close to them, making themselves an unquestioned authority in public.”
Tags: testimonies received suspended lecturer
