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NEW DELHI: Delhi University has sent a letter to the chairman of the governing body (GB) of St Stephen’s College stating that the extension given to principal John Varghese is “illegal” as the due processes laid down by the University Grants Commission (UGC) have not been followed. Varghese was appointed principal on March 1, 2016.
The DU assistant registrar’s August 22 letter is the third communication between the college and the university over the issue. The teacher representative at GB had also written to the governing body raising this issue.
The recent letter states, “The issue in question has been carefully examined by the university in terms of relevant UGC regulations on minimum qualifications for appointment of teachers and other academic staff in universities and colleges and measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education adopted by the university in Ordinance XVII. Accordingly, it was notified to all the colleges, including St Stephen’s College, on 03.06.2014 that the term of appointment of the college principal shall be five years with eligibility for reappointment for another term only after following the due process of selection.”
The university has said there is no provision in the UGC regulations for an extension. “The reappointment may be considered only after following due process of selection laid down under UGC regulations incorporated in Ordinance XVIII, which denotes that candidature of the existing principal for reappointment can be considered only after following due processes and procedure afresh. However, this has blatantly been violated by the supreme council of the college, which is not tenable,” it adds.
The reappointment for another term of five years can be done based on a performance assessment by a committee appointed by DU. “The committee will consist of the nominee of the vice-chancellor, a nominee of the UGC chairman. The nominees shall be nominated by the principals of the colleges with potential for excellence/autonomous colleges/NAAC-A accredited colleges,” the letter states.
The university has also said a constituent college, whether Trust-maintained or Delhi government-maintained, has to follow the UGC regulations.
“St Stephen’s College, which receives 95% of its maintenance grant from UGC and 5% from the Trust, has violated the spirit of the 2018 provision. The competent authority of the university… is of the firm view that since the supreme council of St Stephen’s College has not followed due processes and procedures… the decision… is ab-initio null and void,” the letter points out.
The principal of the college did not respond to calls and messages from TOI.
The DU assistant registrar’s August 22 letter is the third communication between the college and the university over the issue. The teacher representative at GB had also written to the governing body raising this issue.
The recent letter states, “The issue in question has been carefully examined by the university in terms of relevant UGC regulations on minimum qualifications for appointment of teachers and other academic staff in universities and colleges and measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education adopted by the university in Ordinance XVII. Accordingly, it was notified to all the colleges, including St Stephen’s College, on 03.06.2014 that the term of appointment of the college principal shall be five years with eligibility for reappointment for another term only after following the due process of selection.”
The university has said there is no provision in the UGC regulations for an extension. “The reappointment may be considered only after following due process of selection laid down under UGC regulations incorporated in Ordinance XVIII, which denotes that candidature of the existing principal for reappointment can be considered only after following due processes and procedure afresh. However, this has blatantly been violated by the supreme council of the college, which is not tenable,” it adds.
The reappointment for another term of five years can be done based on a performance assessment by a committee appointed by DU. “The committee will consist of the nominee of the vice-chancellor, a nominee of the UGC chairman. The nominees shall be nominated by the principals of the colleges with potential for excellence/autonomous colleges/NAAC-A accredited colleges,” the letter states.
The university has also said a constituent college, whether Trust-maintained or Delhi government-maintained, has to follow the UGC regulations.
“St Stephen’s College, which receives 95% of its maintenance grant from UGC and 5% from the Trust, has violated the spirit of the 2018 provision. The competent authority of the university… is of the firm view that since the supreme council of St Stephen’s College has not followed due processes and procedures… the decision… is ab-initio null and void,” the letter points out.
The principal of the college did not respond to calls and messages from TOI.
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