BU revaluation system overhauled, fee tripled

VC Prabhu Dev says the move is aimed at discouraging frivolous applications by students

The university administration has hiked the fee from Rs 350 to Rs 1,050 for each paper that a student wishes to have re-evaluated. Additionally, a change in the system has made it mandatory to apply for photocopies of answer scripts along with the re-evaluation application.

The new system could very well result in more delay in the announcement of re-evaluation results. Under the new system, students will have to initially pay Rs 300 and obtain photocopies of the answer scripts. If they are convinced there is need for re-evaluation they can apply at an additional cost of Rs 700.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor Dr N Prabhu Dev clarified that the increase was introduced to discourage frivolous re-evaluation applications by students. “The system will ensure that only students with genuine cases need apply. They can take the answer script photocopies, consult their parents, principals or teachers and then apply,” he said.

Dr Prabhu Dev also said that even if students obtained the photocopies they could choose whether to go ahead with the re-evaluation process or desist from it. The decision which was taken at the university syndicate meeting on Tuesday and will come into effect from the next semester.

Additional affiliation fee

In a bid to tighten its grip over autonomous colleges in the city, the Bangalore University has decided to charge an additional affiliation fee for each subject besides the autonomy fee. In addition, 50 percent of post-graduation (PG) admissions in autonomous colleges will be controlled by the Bangalore University. The decisions were taken at the syndicate meeting held on Tuesday.

The Vice-Chancellor of the Bangalore University, Dr N Prabhu Dev said that the decisions were taken to ensure “social inclusiveness”. He added that a number of colleges were charging “whimsical fees”, which was in complete violation of the fee regulations of the university. “The university has no say in their admissions policy and it has come to my notice that several colleges are not sticking to university roster system and reservation policies,” Dr Prabhu said.

However, speaking to Deccan Herald the Principal of St Joseph’s College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Fr Ambrose Pinto said “The decision to charge an affiliation fee is completely against the spirit of the University Grants Commission (UGC) statutes.” He added that the autonomous colleges had their own expenses and his college has not increased the fee since attaining autonomy. “Everything said and done, the fees are paid by the students and such measures by the university will only result in a further increase in fees in autonomous colleges,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Bangalore University has also entered into a agreement with the Institute of Social and Economic Change (ISEC) . Under the agreement, research scholars from the university will have access to seminars, workshops and other resources at ISEC. Further, meritorious P G students from the university will be selected by ISEC for doctoral research programmes at the institute.