In a letter to the chairperson of the UGC, the Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) expressed their opposition to the idea of making St. Stephen College autonomous. They said that such a decision cannot be taken without consulting the statutory bodies of the DU and introducing necessary amendments in its Act, Statues and Ordinances.
They further said that as an initial step a proposal needs to be sent to the DU.
In the letter, 44 out of 56 permanent teachers of the college opposed the autonomous status of the college saying ‘it would threaten the financial stability, academic viability, service and working conditions, affordable fee structure and accessibility to students coming from diverse backgrounds.’
"They pointed out that such a decision would jeopardize the future of a 138-year-old premier public-funded educational institution that has made a significant contribution to nation-building," said the letter.
According to the letter, the college governing body took the decision to apply for the autonomous status and did not concern the primary stake-holders namely faculty, students and non-teaching staff of the college.
"In the representation mentioned above, teachers had attached as annexures several petitions by more than 80% of the faculty and students, as well as the link to a CD prepared by students. All these protests and representations were ignored," the teachers wrote the UGC.
Rajib Ray, President, DUTA said that as an autonomous body the college will be pushed towards the self-financing schemes which will change the college’s original purpose and motive.
“While the academic autonomy of universities has been snatched away allowing a non-academic body such as the UGC to impose an examination system, course curricula in the garb of a CBCS, the so-called autonomy is being thrust upon the university and college administration to expand self-financed courses and self-financed research and to determine fees for the purpose of gradual greater reliance on internal revenue generation,” he added.
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Delhi University
Autonomous Status Of St. Stephens College
St. Stephens College
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