The Jāzeps Vītolas Academy of Music of Latvia (JVLMA) will pay compensation for the unused leave to 13 former employees, but it is not revealed how much it will be.
A week ago, the government supported the redistribution of funding in the amount of 2.2 million euros for the implementation of urgent and priority measures in the cultural sector. Of this, almost €400,000 will be allocated to JVLMA, including providing a safe learning environment and legal services.
Half of the designated funding, or 206,418 euros, is planned to be spent to pay compensations for the unused leave of JVLMA’s former rector Guntars Prānis, vice-rectors, as well as for possible sexual harassment of dismissed lecturers and employees who left their jobs at the academy after the scandal.
In order to compensate JVLMA’s previous rector Prānis and two vice-rectors Valdis Bernhof and Anda Beitānei for the unplanned termination of employment, 135,919 euros were allocated.
On the other hand, 70,499 euros will be used to pay compensations to former lecturers Māris Kupčas and Rolandas Kronlaks, who were dismissed from their jobs after complaints about possible sexual harassment of female students, as well as to eight other employees of the academy who left their jobs with Prānis’ departure.
At the same time, JVLMA refused to reveal to the LETA agency how much compensation is planned to be paid to each former employee. The exact calculation of Kupča’s and Kronlak’s vacations is available in the court materials, but the amount paid to Prān and the vice-rectors will have to be reflected in the declarations of their state officials.
“Since the Cabinet of Ministers has not published a more detailed calculation in the annotation of the order on the allocation of additional funds, the academy, guided by the point of view of personal data protection, can only indicate the total amount, not the costs incurred for specific individuals,” explained the academy.
It has already been reported that the police started criminal proceedings in March in connection with the information about the possible harassment of female students by the teachers of the academy.
Latvian Television’s program “Kultūršoks” received the testimonies of seven JVLMA students about sexual harassment by individual lecturers.
The information available to the program shows that several complaints have been received about at least one lecturer. One of the lecturers who may have transgressed the boundaries in dealing with female students is Kupčs, the head of the Department of Ancient Music.
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The Curious Case of Compensation at Jāzeps Vītolas Academy of Music
Ah, Latvia! A country with more composers than comedians, it appears there’s been some interesting drama brewing at the Jāzeps Vītolas Academy of Music (JVLMA). You might be wondering, what’s the score? Well, it’s a bit like finding out your favorite composer has as many controversies as fine notes. JVLMA will compensate 13 former employees for their unused leave, but here’s the twist: they’re keeping the actual amounts as secretive as state secrets. Looks like “What’s in the box?” is trending again in the land of Beethoven and Bach!
Breaking Down the Numbers…or the Lack Thereof
Last week, the government decided to sprinkle €2.2 million on urgent measures in the cultural sector, and JVLMA is grabbing a slice, nearly €400,000 of it! Quite generous for a music academy, don’t you think? What are they planning to do with it? Well, besides providing a “safe learning environment” (which sounds very much like a polite way to say, “Don’t harass our students”), a substantial portion is earmarked for legal services and “things” that we can only guess at.
“Half of the designated funding, or 206,418 euros, is planned to be spent to pay compensations for the unused leave of JVLMA’s former rector Guntars Prānis and the vice-rectors.”
Oh yes, former rector Guntars Prānis is in the spotlight (and not the good kind). He’s set to pocket a portion of €135,919, while two vice-rectors, Valdis Bernhof and Anda Beitānei, join him in this unwelcome payday. The academy’s financial maestro appears to have walked straight into a scandal, compounding a tune of scandals that rivals the greatest operas.
Sexual Harassment Allegations: A Dissonant Note
But wait, there’s more! It wouldn’t be a scandal without some salacious allegations, right? Two former lecturers, Māris Kupčas and Rolandas Kronlaks, who faced dismissal due to some rather serious complaints, are also on the compensation roster—to the tune of €70,499. Their legacy? Not just teaching the flute but facing accusations of behaving rather badly with students. As shocking as finding out your piano teacher moonlights as a cryptid!
The precise details of these payouts? Sorry, folks! JVLMA is playing the “personal data protection” card, which seems to be a fancy way of saying, “If we told you, we’d have to… well, that’s classified.”
“Since the Cabinet of Ministers has not published a more detailed calculation…the academy can only indicate the total amount, not the costs incurred for specific individuals.”
Trust and the details regarding payments are as absent as a conductor without his baton. But fear not! Court documents allegedly contain enough details to fill a new rhythm section.
The Aftermath: Criminal Investigations and Cultural Shocks
Now before you think this is just a quirky tale, remember—police have jumped into the fray, kicking off a criminal investigation that began in March regarding serious accusations of harassment. Apparently, seven brave students have stepped forward to share their distressing experiences with the world. Sounds like a students’ battle band, if you ask me!
So, as we watch the JVLMA saga unfold like a dramatic symphony, one has to wonder: will they rise from these scandalous notes, or shall they take a bow amid the boos? Either way, grab your popcorn, folks! Latvia’s cultural stage is about to get its very own Shakespearean tragedy.
Final Thoughts
In the grand scheme of things, we can only hope that this whole messy affair leads to a safe and respectful environment for students—a symphony worth playing. For now, we’ll just keep our ears open and our fingers crossed that the maestro can hit the right notes after this concerto of chaos. Who knew academia was just another stage for drama, intrigue, and unfortunately, more scandals?
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The Jāzeps Vītolas Academy of Music of Latvia (JVLMA) is set to compensate 13 former employees for their accrued unused leave, although the specific amount to be disbursed has not been disclosed.
A week ago, the Latvian government approved a significant redistribution of funding, totaling 2.2 million euros, aimed at addressing immediate and essential needs within the cultural sector. Among this allocation, nearly €400,000 will be designated for JVLMA, ensuring the establishment of a safe learning environment as well as the provision of legal services.
The academy has earmarked a substantial portion of the allocated funding, specifically 206,418 euros, to cover compensations related to the unused leave of high-profile managerial positions, including the former rector Guntars Prānis and the vice-rectors. Additionally, this funding aims to address potential claims of sexual harassment involving dismissed lecturers and staff who left their roles post-scandal.
In further detail, to settle compensation for the abrupt termination of employment of Prānis and vice-rectors Valdis Bernhof and Anda Beitānei, a total of 135,919 euros has been set aside.
Furthermore, 70,499 euros will be allocated to compensate former lecturers Māris Kupčas and Rolandas Kronlaks, who were dismissed following serious allegations regarding their behavior towards female students. This also includes remuneration for eight other academy employees who chose to leave alongside Prānis.
Despite inquiries from the LETA agency, JVLMA has opted not to disclose the specific compensation amounts intended for each former employee. While the court materials contain precise calculations regarding Kupča’s and Kronlak’s entitlements, the exact compensatory amounts for Prānis and the vice-rectors will be included in their official state declarations.
The academy explained, “Since the Cabinet of Ministers has not published a more detailed calculation in the annotation of the order on the allocation of additional funds, the academy, guided by the point of view of personal data protection, can only indicate the total amount, not the costs incurred for specific individuals.”
It has been previously reported that criminal proceedings were initiated by the police back in March, focusing on troubling reports concerning the suspected harassment of female students by faculty members.
In a broadcast by Latvian Television’s program “Kultūršoks,” testimonies from seven JVLMA students were shared, detailing instances of sexual harassment perpetrated by certain lecturers.
Compounding the issue, evidence gathered by the program suggests multiple complaints have been filed against at least one educator. Among those under scrutiny is Kupčs, the head of the Department of Ancient Music, who has been implicated in crossing professional boundaries with female students.
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