A state of new-found independence

Thanks to the unplanned schedules of the Bangalore University and VTU, many colleges are now opting for the ‘university status’ as this gives them the liberty to take their own decisions. However, this has various pros and cons.

Often, the fee structure of the colleges, which have newly acquired the status of a university, is changed and tends to be on the higher side. Many changes are also made in the academic structure of the college, which can affect students. 

Basvanna, a spokesperson from the Bangalore University, informs that the BU doesn’t have the authority to check these independent universities as they are controlled by the Department of Higher Education.

Most of these universities follow the norms and guidelines set by this department, which also checks the curriculum and fee structure.

Professor AV Chandrashekhar, principal, PES PU College, says that now that the PES Institutions have been granted this status, all decisions are taken by the vice-chancellor and pro vice-chancellor of the university.

“They take all the decisions regarding the university and the policies are subject to the approval of the Department of Higher Education,” he says.

Most colleges are opting for the university status as they can decide on their own without being subjected to the whimsical decisions of the Bangalore University and VTU. Says Sindhu, a final-year student, “The positive side is that we don’t have to depend on the VTU to design a curriculum or decide the schedule for the entire academic year as our college authorities can take a call on that. Hence, it is more systematic in nature and there are no goof-ups. But the negative aspect is that the fees and other financial formalities are decided by the college, which might not always benefit the students.”

Subhash, a final-year student, says that the attendance system in many colleges is extremely strict and there is no one to listen to the problems of the students. “Many colleges require 80 per cent attendance and sometimes it becomes very difficult to maintain a spotless record. The college is not ready to consider even a case of illness. There is no one to look into such problems when a college gets a university status,” he points out.

Rohan, a student of BMS College of Engineering, feels that it is because of the unsystematic nature of the universities like the VTU or BU that many colleges want to be independent.

“Since our college is autonomous under the VTU, we don’t feel the pinch. But other colleges, under the VTU, have to bear the brunt of the sudden changes made by the VTU,” he says.