Top body approves Stephen’s autonomy move

New Delhi: St. Stephen’s College is all set to move ahead with the status of autonomy with the chairman of the college governing body asking the principal to finally proceed with the application of autonomy to the college.

The college principal, John Varghese, has reportedly shared the letter from the chairman with the teachers on Friday.

“The governing body is the sole decision making body of the college on policy and governance. I therefore advise you to proceed as per the decision of the governing body. In this regard, the governing body has authorised you to execute and sign all necessary proposals, documents, applications, forms, letters, undertakings to the university, UGC and make requests for requisite grants in aid,” the letter, dated April 14, read.

Last month the governing body of the college had decided that the college would apply for autonomy.

Following protests by the teachers and students over the issue, Prof Varghese had assured them that he would write to the governing body seeking permission to have discussion with stakeholders before going ahead with the application. However, the students and teachers of the college argued that the decision has been taken without any consultation or discussion and the letter is now being circulated. It is to be noted that if the college becomes autonomous, it will no longer be a constituent college of DUand will be free to take its own decisions from framing syllabus to making its own fee structure. “The autonomy will not be accepted as there has been no discussion as promised by the principal. Steps are being taken to privatise colleges by keeping the rules and law at stake. If one college becomes autonomous, the other colleges will try to move towards the same direction.