A team of University Grants Commission (UGC) slated to visit St Stephen's College of Delhi University on Thursday for granting “autonomous” status, is likely to ask all teachers of Stephen's whether they are in favour of autonomy to the college.
One of the major parameters on which the visiting team will judge the college for granting autonomous status is “interaction with stakeholders”. It includes points like interaction with faculty, whether all teachers are in favour of autonomy to the college, interaction with students, and interaction with non-teaching staff.
However, with almost 42 out of more than 55 teachers expressing their reservation against “autonomy” to college all eyes are now on the visit of the UGC team. The non-teaching staff and students too have expressed their concern against the autonomous status to the college.
The other major parameters for UGC team are college profile, Infrastructure facilities, courses, including self-financing ones, fee structure, achievement of students etc.
The six-member UGC team is led by former Vice Chancellor of Allahabad University Prof Rajen Harshe. The other members include Prof Madhoolika Agarwal of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Dr (Ms) Nirmala S, Principal of PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, Coimbatore, Dr Archana Thakur, UGC Joint Secretary and two other nominees of the State Government and Delhi University.
When contacted, the DU nominee outright refused to comment on the matter citing “confidentiality”. Dr Archana Thakur said, “I cannot comment over this issue.”
However, highly placed sources in the university administration said that DU wants to “push” autonomy for St Stephen's but is apparently caught in a “Catch-22” situation with Delhi University Teacher's Association (DUTA) and majority of St. Stephen's faculty and staff against the autonomous status to the college.
It is being alleged that Principal John Varghese has “handpicked” teachers and staff for meeting the visiting UGC team. Varghese could not be reached for his comments despite repeated attempts.
As per the rules, the colleges who scored 3.5 and above on the four point scale of National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) can directly approach the UGC for autonomy. While the St Stephen's College, which has been accredited with CGPA 3.21 by NAAC and needs a visit of the UGC team before granting it autonomous status.