Our Russia: education is free, but you have to pay for the entrance

In the educational building of a certain institute they are going to turn on the turnstiles installed six months ago. Judging by the verbal description of a friend, in this institution of the student, an RFID card is required for the passage. And for these cards you have to pay. Institute. They say they don’t have to pay, but if you don’t pay, you won’t get a card. Accordingly, the pair will not get. Here is a free education :)

The question arises: Does anyone (an institution, an employer) have the right to demand money for an RFID card, which is necessary for access to a place of study or work?

UPD: It became clear that there is a lot of such arbitrariness throughout the country, but people are afraid to do something because of the fear of being expelled . Can anyone suggest effective ways to deal with the described behavior of the university without the risk to students?