Days after the Governing Body of St Stephen’s College passed the proposal of amending its constitution, principal Valson Thampu has come out in defense of the decision saying the issues raised against the moving of these amendments are mere “misconceptions” created by the vested interests.
Thampus said the college is amending its constitution in accordance with all relevant provisions of law. Thampu said the amendments to the 102-year-old constitution of the college were “natural” and “necessary”.
Thampu claimed that the recent Governing Body meeting in which the amendments were approved had full quorum as he slammed teachers for questioning the quorum after deliberately and publicly “boycotting” the GB meeting
“The society of St Stephen’s College is amending its constitution, which is a natural, necessary and in accordance with all relevant provisions of law. The amendments have been necessitated due to changes in law, the enormous transformation in education and the need to reach out to those in need,” he said in a Press statement. The GB meeting on November 30 met quorum requirements.
“Rumour spread that 8 members boycotted the meeting is false and malicious. The GB currently comprises 15 members. Of the 15, 10 members attended, which is two-thirds. It does not have to be emphasised that non-members cannot boycott meetings,” Thampu stated in an extensive Press statement.
Thampu added that while Delhi University provides for only two teacher representatives by rotation based on seniority, the college had provided for two additional elected teacher representatives.
“The proposed amendments are meant to bring it in harmony with applicable laws including the statutes of DU. This exposes the false propaganda that the college will lose its affiliation if its constitution is amended. This malicious campaign is aimed at spreading panic among the teaching community, students, their parents and the alumni.”
He alleged that when college notified for these two positions for elected teacher representatives not even a single teacher filed nomination. “It is baseless to insinuate that the UGC will stop grant-in-aid if the College constitution is amended. There is no UGC rule that disallows any institution from amending its constitution,” he further stated.