In 1861 the Russian Empire's Department of People's Enlightenment sent university councils a questionnaire regarding, in particular, the possibility of women's admission to universities and the granting to them of academic degrees with corresponding privileges. Only Moscow University answered negatively, but without elaborating on the reasons for its decision. This article analyzes the actual discussion that took place among the university council's professors. Several archival documents - an excerpt from a letter by the district curator of 19 October 1861 explaining the questionnaire; the voting list of 23 September 1861; answers by Professor N. E. Zernov, and a dissenting opinion by professor A. O. Armfeld - are published and reveal the logic and reasoning of both opponents and supporters of higher education for women among the academic community.