In 1911, the conflict between the Ministry of Education, headed by Lev Kasso, and the University of Moscow resulted in the collective resignation of more than a third of the faculty, including many outstanding scientists.
The immediate cause of the conflict was the decision of the student meeting in November 1910 on the occasion of the death of Leo Tolstoy about the termination for 3 days of classes in connection with mourning.
The rector of Moscow University, according to the circular of the Minister of Education, banned the holding of meetings.
However, the meetings continued.
Minister of Education Lev Kasso demanded from the rector of Moscow University Alexander Manuilov to resolve the conflict by force.
The Ministry publishes in January 1911 a circular «On temporary exclusion of public and private student institutions», which prohibits meetings at the university, which makes it obligatory for rectors to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the university and to report to the police about alleged gatherings; the mayor was charged with closing the university with the help of the police in case of unrest.
The circular violated the provisions of the provisional rules of 1905, according to which the petition for the closure of the university belonged to the rights of the Council.

The student meeting takes a decision on the strike.
Immediately afterwards, police forces were introduced into the university, without the knowledge of the Council, to prevent the beginning of the strike.
Police actions paralyzed the training sessions.
At an emergency meeting of the Council, all the leaders of the Moscow University resigned.
This decision was approved by the Council.
In response, the Ministry publishes the highest decree on the dismissal of university leaders, while at the same time prohibiting them from engaging in scientific and teaching activities.
Cassault's decision caused a storm of resentment among professors and teachers of Moscow University.
The first applications for resignation in March 1911 were submitted by teachers of the Faculty of Law.
By the end of the semester, the University had left 131 people — about a third of the teaching staff of the university, among them — world-renowned scientists.
In 1911, the conflict between the Ministry of Education, headed by Lev Kasso, and the University of Moscow resulted in the collective resignation of more than a third of the faculty, including many outstanding scientists. The immediate cause of the conflict was the decision of the student meeting in November 1910 on the occasion of the death of Leo Tolstoy about the termination for 3 days of classes in connection with mourning. The rector of Moscow University, according to the circular of the Minister of Education, banned the holding of meetings. However, the meetings continued. Minister of Education Lev Kasso demanded from the rector of Moscow University Alexander Manuilov to resolve the conflict by force. The Ministry publishes in January 1911 a circular «On temporary exclusion of public and private student institutions», which prohibits meetings at the university, which makes it obligatory for rectors to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the university and to report to the police about alleged gatherings; the mayor was charged with closing the university with the help of the police in case of unrest. The circular violated the provisions of the provisional rules of 1905, according to which the petition for the closure of the university belonged to the rights of the Council.
The student meeting takes a decision on the strike. Immediately afterwards, police forces were introduced into the university, without the knowledge of the Council, to prevent the beginning of the strike. Police actions paralyzed the training sessions. At an emergency meeting of the Council, all the leaders of the Moscow University resigned. This decision was approved by the Council. In response, the Ministry publishes the highest decree on the dismissal of university leaders, while at the same time prohibiting them from engaging in scientific and teaching activities. Cassault's decision caused a storm of resentment among professors and teachers of Moscow University. The first applications for resignation in March 1911 were submitted by teachers of the Faculty of Law. By the end of the semester, the University had left 131 people — about a third of the teaching staff of the university, among them — world-renowned scientists.
Imperial Moscow University