St Stephen’s to seek autonomy
Governing body takes decision, ignores opposition by some teachers during council meet
NEWDELHI: The governing body of St Stephen’s College has decided in principle to apply for autonomy, despite opposition by teacher representatives at the meeting on Saturday.
As the governing body met on Saturday, students and members of Teachers’ Association (DUTA) protested outside the venue against the proposal.
Holding posters that read “Discussion not decision” and “We want consensus,” the students sat in the college corridors in protest. Around 500 students have signed a petition saying that they will oppose the move.
Autonomy implies that the college will no longer be a DU constituent. It also means that the college will be free to take its own decisions in framing syllabus, fee structure, start new college branches and enjoy other academic freedoms.
In November 2016, the UGC has notified DU and its affiliated colleges that a provision for autonomy has been incorporated in the new guidelines. Representatives of willing colleges were asked to apply for it. Though demands for autonomy had been raised in the past too, this time DU has formed a committee to look into it.
In the governing council meeting held at St Stephen’s College on Saturday, four teacher representatives registered their dissent. However, the governing body decided in principal to go forward with application. Some teachers who were present at the meeting, requesting anonymity, said that two teachers were allegedly snubbed by the principal when they differed. “One of them was chided during the meeting. The other one was summoned later and,” said a teacher.
St Stephen’s College principal John Varghese could not be reached for comments.
“They said the university had sent a proposal but showed us no letter in the meeting. They just put forward a UGC guideline. They, however, assured that before sending the application to the university, they will hold consultation with teachers and students,” said Nandita Narain, teacher at the college and a governing body member.
However, she said that their questions about opposition to autonomy were not answered.
“We have no clarity on what the autonomy is all about, and the college is moving forward with it. It is a big decision that will change the character of the college. So they cannot just do without consultation with stakeholders,” said a third year student of the college.
The university representative also complained that he was not informed of the meeting and he came to know of it only through newspapers. He said that he would raise this matter with the vice chancellor.
Many students said they will fight the decision and shouted “Sangarsh Hamara Narah hai (Struggle is our slogan)”.
The National Democratic Teachers Front, a right wing teachers’ body is also opposing the move. “We want academic and governance autonomy for the university, but not autonomy to the constituent colleges. We will not let anything happen without consensus,” said AK Bhagi, president of the front.