DU council strengthens VC's case

The Delhi University Vice Chancellor has been voted eligible for another term by the executive council. Changes in the university ordinance were also approved to give a twist to the teachers’ Code of Professional Ethics – a move that will enlarge the definition of teachers’ misconduct and bring changes in their service conduct. 

Earlier according to the statue 11-F (4) of the university, the DU VC could hold office for a term of five years and won't be eligible for a re-appointment. 

Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) said that by allowing the VC to seek a second term in a situation where he has the right to nominate the majority members in the search committee - which does headhunting for the next incumbent - the EC’s decision has violated democratic principles. 

“It has ensured that the Statute 11-F(4) which allows him to nominate two out of the total three members of the search committee now contradicts the amended Statute 11 F(1) which enables him to seek a second term,” said DUTA president Nandita Narain.

On another term for VC, the 23-members Executive Council meet registered four dissents. And on the stricter code for teachers only three were naysayers. DUTA said the dissenters were teachers’ representatives and Vice Chancellor’s nominee in the Executive Council.

She said that the amendments in the university statute and ordinances have given arbitrary power to the VC. But sources in the university administration said that by tweaking ‘professional ethics into a code’, the VC is now more empowered to curb teachers’ absenteeism. 

After the recent amendments, the VC could now direct the college governing bodies to initiate action against the erring teachers, failing which the VC  may take action directly.
In pursuance of the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, the Executive Council has also made changes in the rules for appointment of college principals who could now be appointment for two terms of five years each. 

Earlier, principals once appointed could hold their posts until they complete the age of 65 years.