Heated discussions echo through the corridors of St. Stephen’s College in Delhi after the suspension of more than a hundred first-year students, igniting indignation among the student community and prompting inquiries into institutional protocols and student liberties.
Sent out via email on February 17, 2024, the suspensions were attributed to the students’ alleged neglect in arranging appointments with the college Principal following a prior notification about their low attendance at morning assemblies in January 2024. This decision, accompanied by the exclusion of these students from participating in semester 2 examinations. The decision has faced vehement criticism from both students and observers alike.
Challenges and Questions raised by affected students of St. Stephen’s College
In a letter addressed to the college administration, the affected students outlined various challenges they faced in adhering to the appointment requirement. Numerous students, particularly those whose parents reside outside the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), encountered logistical and financial hurdles in arranging last-minute travel for these appointments. Moreover, attempts to schedule appointments independently without guardians were reportedly rebuffed, while others received no response to their inquiries.
The students’ letters questioned the rationale behind their suspensions, pointing out a lack of clarity in the college’s regulations concerning morning assembly attendance as grounds for disciplinary action.
Faculty Member’s Concerns
Professor Sanjeev Grewal, a faculty member at the college, also penned a letter to the Principal expressing his astonishment at the large-scale suspensions and the threat of barring students from examinations. He argued that students should only be barred from exams based on explicitly stated grounds in the university regulations, noting that morning assembly attendance isn’t recognized by the university as a requirement for exams. He opined that failure to attend the morning assembly shouldn’t warrant suspension.
Solidarity for the suspended students has poured in from various academic years, reigniting discussions on student rights, institutional transparency, and disciplinary actions in academic settings.
Support and Advocacy
In the letter addressed to the college administration, students articulated their concerns and frustrations, highlighting the impracticality for many to set appointments due to parental residence outside Delhi NCR, resulting in difficulties with travel, prior commitments, scheduling conflicts, and financial constraints.
The campus resonated with a sentiment of solidarity as students rallied against what they perceived as unjust treatment. Faculty members and alumni added their voices to advocate for a fair and transparent resolution to the conflict.
Clarity and Awaiting Response
In response to the escalating situation, calls have been made for the college administration to provide clarification on the suspension criteria and to reconsider the punitive measures imposed on the students.
As tensions persist and dialogues unfold, stakeholders await a resolution to the crisis, hopeful for an outcome that prioritizes both academic integrity and student welfare. The resolution of this dispute is likely to have significant implications for campus governance and student-administration relations not only at St. Stephen’s College but also beyond its boundaries.
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