The dissertation reveals the organizational-pedagogical principles of youth education in student associations of Chernivtsi University – the only institution of higher education in Bukovyna in 1875–1939. Political, economic, socio-legal, upbringing-educational preconditions that contributed to the development of the students’ movement in Bukovyna of that time have been defined, the periods of activity of student associations of Chernivtsi University have been specified. It was found out that in Chernivtsi University of the studied period there were four main types of students’ organizations: academic societies, including cultural-educational ones, corporations, trade unions and Christian unions. At the same time, it is emphasized that the associations were organized as polyethnic or ethnic unions.
The main organizational principles of activity of students associations of Chernivtsi University (1875–1939) have been singled out: the availability of statutory documents; democratic atmosphere, support of the societies initiatives by the representatives of the professors-teaching staff; the prohibition of political activity; the possibility of its reformation and transformation by the type, ethnic affiliation according to the directions of activity; obligatory official events and the publication of reports; the use of steady traditions and the formation of the own ones (coat of arms, motto, uniform and multi-colored ribbons), clear subordination and discipline, membership categories, etc.
The content of the directions, methods and forms of activity of the Ukrainian students’ organizations of various types in Chernivtsi University of the studied period have been considered and revealed. The generalized purpose of the Ukrainian students’ organizations «Soiuz», «Moloda Ukraina» and «Sich» identified the main directions of its activity, namely: cultural-educational; publishing; sociable; patriotic (ethnography, ethnology, propaganda work, physical education). The methods of realization of the educational work inherent to all Ukrainian academic societies have been distinguished: examination in Ukrainian history and literature; distribution of scientific and popular literature; official paperwork in Ukrainian language; creation of the publishing commission; single-day postcards «butterflies»; publishing of the jubilee almanac; competitive and gaming.
It has been proved that the development of national self-determination and the struggle against denationalization were the main goals of the activity of the ethnic students’ associations of the period under study, such as the Romanian «Arboroasa» and «Junimea», the Polish «Ognisko», the German «Arminia», the corporations of Jewish students «Hasmonea», «Zephirah» and «Hebronia». Along with the classic forms of work (conferences on the national history and literature, literary and musical evenings, library and reading room organization), such specific forms as the «literary process», the organization of the hostel («Junimea»); mutual benefit fund, fundraising for the establishment of the settlement in Palestine («Hasmonea», «Zephirah» and «Hebronia») have been used.
Education of the younger generation is defined as a leading direction of activity of women’s unions, the essence of the educational process in them has been described.
