Panjab University sets up 8-member panel

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 30

The Panjab University Syndicate today constituted an eight-member committee on the resolution of Dr Gurmeet Singh for seeking the Central University status for the university. The committee will be headed by Syndicate member Jarnail Singh. Among other members of the committee are Dr Gurmeet Singh, Prof Navdeep Goyal, Prof Akshay Kumar, Iqbal Sandhu, Dr Dalip Kumar and Subhash Sharma.

Dr Gurmeet Singh had raised the issue in the past two Senate meetings. He suggested that the only solution to the financial crunch being faced by the university was to collectively press the Centre and the state government for the Central University status.

The meeting of the Syndicate was held today. It was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Arun Kumar Grover.

The Syndicate also approved a new Panjab University Committee Against Sexual Harassment (PUCASH) for a two-year term with effect from August 1, 2017. The new PUCASH will be chaired by Prof Manvinder Kaur from the Department-cum-Centre for Women’s Study and Development. Among other members of the committee are Prof Rajat Sandheer, Prof Ameer Sultana, Prof Promila Pathak, Poonam Chopra, Surinder and Dr Navneet Kaur, besides members of three NGOs.

The Syndicate said college professors and associate professors of five-year standing could be considered for faculties, whereas the modalities had to be worked out by a committee of Syndics and the report shall be brought back to the Syndicate for further consideration.

The master seniority list of university teachers at different levels recommended by a committee shall be circulated to the university teaching community for comments.

Major penalty recommended in sexual harassment case

After accepting the recommendations of the PUCASH with respect to a sexual harassment complaint against an assistant professor from the Department of Public Administration, the PU Syndicate recommended imposition of a major penalty on him. The matter will again come up at the Senate meeting on May 7 to decide the quantum of penalty. Sources said the assistant professor could face suspension, demotion or termination or dismissal. The PUCASH had held him guilty of sexually harassing his student. On September 10, 2015, a post-graduate student had alleged that the assistant professor had indulged in “sexual talks” with her and used to make “sexually coloured remarks”. The complainant also informed the committee that he threatened to ruin her career if she filed a complaint against him. The PUCASH held him guilty in the case and asked the PU authorities to take action against him.

Law classes: Second shift from 1 pm

Following an objection raised by the Bar Council of India, the PU Syndicate on Sunday gave a nod to commencing the second shift form 1 pm in place of evening classes of the law course.

The council, in its letter dated November 30, 2016, had brought forward the fact that the evening shift timings of the law course were 5.30 pm to 9.15 pm, which amounted to less than the required 30 hours per week. At a meeting of the law faculty held on December 13, 2016, it was decided that the evening course could not work and from the next academic session (2017-18), the classes would be held in the morning shift only. 

Process for online admissions ratified

The Syndicate ratified the process of online admissions through "cloud-based online admission management services" for the academic session 2017-18 on the campus as well as regional centres.  The services shall also include the facility for payment of fee through various channels such as internet banking and debit/credit cards.