Presspersons kept off Academic Council meeting

The office of the Governor has passed a circular making it mandatory for universities across the State to maintain confidentiality on decisions taken in the meetings of their Executive Council, Syndicate, Board of Management and other bodies.

Owing to this order, presspersons had to remain off the meeting of Academic Council of Kuvempu University held on campus in Shankaraghatta on Friday. In the order passed on April 24, the office of the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the universities, has said that, under no circumstances, the decisions taken in the meeting should be disclosed till the minutes of the meetings are approved by concerned authorities.

Guidelines issued

The circular contains guidelines for universities on conducting the meetings. Universities have been directed to ensure that time is not wasted over the discussion of irrelevant subjects. Also, it has been mandated that a copy of the agenda is circulated with the notice of the meeting well in advance as per the statutory provisions of the university. The minutes should be prepared after incorporating the suggestions, comments and modifications by the members.

The approved minutes should be sent to the office of the Chancellor the very next day, after which the minutes, along with the agenda, must be published on the website of the university.

Against democracy

N. Ramesh, a former member of Syndicate of Kuvempu University said that, only academic issues are discussed in Academic Council meetings and the public has the right to know of the same. “The universities run on tax collected from public and the move to maintain confidentiality on the decisions goes against the principles of democracy. The circular should be withdrawn,” Mr. Ramesh said.

Jogan Shankar, Vice-Chancellor, Kuvempu University, has said that the circular has been issued for all the universities in the State. Issues such as revision of fee, scholarships, infrastructure upgradation, academic calendar, exam schedule, introduction of new courses and the annual budget of the university will be discussed. Kuvempu University would seek clarification from the office of Governor on allowing presspersons to attend the meetings of Academic Council, he said.