Press Release: 11.1.2014

The DUTA Executive, in its meeting held on 9 January, announced the stepping up of the campaign against the FYUP with a series of dharnas to be held from 16 January to 22 January 2014 in various clusters of colleges. (Poster with schedule attached). The actual venues will be announced later in consultation with the Staff Associations of the colleges of the concerned clusters. During the dharnas, the DUTA demands for regular appointments on the basis of correct reservation roster, Selection Committees as per UGC Regulations and calling of all eligible candidates for interviews without the arbitrary screening points will be taken up.

The DUTA Executive demanded that the Sports Facilities in the University, constructed for the Common Wealth Games, be made available to students and sportspersons on a nominal charge as per rules followed in other Government stadia. The DUTA Executive also demanded fixing of responsibility on the basis of the Shunglu Committee Report and strict action against those found guilty of financial irregularities.

The DUTA Executive also took a serious note of the manner in which the Vice-Chancellor has announced student evaluation of teachers to be implemented in a non-transparent manner and used as a punitive measure against teachers for their promotions, etc. This sudden announcement is clearly a reaction to the student feedback on the FYUP collected by the DUTA, in continuation of the exercise started and abandoned by the University. The chagrin of the authorities is all the more because an overwhelming majority of students have trenchantly criticized the imposition of substandard and ill-thought out courses on them and have demanded a roll-back of the FYUP and relief to the current batch of first year students. The DUTA’s long-standing demand of effective Student Faculty Committees, articulated in its document on Academic Reforms and Accountability and approved by the Academic Council in 2004, would be a far more positive method of ascertaining student feedback on teaching and learning. Unfortunately, this resolution of the Academic Council has never been implemented by any Vice-Chancellor.