University council meeting to discuss reappointment

The Delhi University administration has planned an amendment in the statute to allow reappointment of the Vice Chancellor. An executive council meeting has been called on Thursday to consider the proposed changes. 

According to the existing statue 11-F (4) of the university, the DU VC can hold office for a term of five years and is not eligible for re-appointment. 

Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) said that the Central University Act doesn’t allow re-appointment, but several universities in the past have had amendments in the statute to retain their heads.

Notwithstanding the expiry of the term, a Vice Chancellor can continue in office until a successor is appointed. And through an amendment in August 2013, the maximum age limit for a VC, Pro-VC, Deans and Directors was extended from 65 to 70 years. 

Pro-VC Prof. and former Dean of Colleges Sudhish Pachauri and Dean Academic Activities and Projects Prof Malashri Lal are beneficiaries from the last amendment, DUTA said. The executive council is also going to consider including a section on Code of Professional Ethics in pursuance of the University Grants Commission Regulations 2010. 

This will bring changes in service conditions of teachers and enlarge the definition of misconduct.  If the changes are passed by the council, the VC may direct the college governing bodies to take action against erring teachers on the ground of misconduct, failing which the VC and executive council may take action directly.

DUTA reads the amendment in the university statute and ordinances in the light of their ongoing protest against the four-year undergraduate programme. On vesting powers to punish erring teachers in the hands of VC, the association said that the role of the executive council and college governing bodies are being diluted.  

While arguing that the university administration is trying to curb dissent, the association said the teachers’ service contracts are exhaustive in nature and serves as a deterrence against professional misconduct.