Genesis and Effects of the Activities of the Branch of Poznań University of Physical Education in Gorzów Wielkopolski from 1971 to 1984

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to present the 13-year-long activity of the Gorzow branch of the Academy of Physical Education. The article was prepared in accordance with the methodology of historical research. It is based on the analysis of archival materials, documents and files. The branch of the Higher School of Physical Education in Poznań (since 1973 known under the name of the Academy of Physical Education) was established in 1971, in the Gorzow district as a result of the efforts of local and provincial authorities. Initially, the new educational institution functioned as the Branch (1971–1984). The period of 1971–1984 was the most difficult and least known in the fifty-year history of the university. Many teachers commuted from Poznań, and the teaching base was modest. From 1971 to 1984, the Gorzow school educated full-time and part-time students. During the period under review, a total of 1,400 graduates completed their master’s degrees. Significant contributions to the development of the university were made by: associate professor Lech Erdmann (1972–1974), associate professor Tadeusz Łobożewicz (1974–1976), Professor Jerzy Gaj (1976–1984). The rector, Prof. Stefan Bączyk, and his successors Prof. Zbigniew Drozdowski and Prof. Alexander Kabsch were also meritorious. In1982, under martial law, an unexpected, unsuccessful attempt was made to make the Branch independent and transform it into anindependent university.