‘UoM convocation is against its own norms’

The University of Mysore (UoM) is not just breaking the tradition but is also violating it’s own statutes by organising the annual convocation for second time this year.

BENGALURU: The University of Mysore (UoM) is not just breaking the tradition but is also violating it’s own statutes by organising the annual convocation for second time this year.
The university had conducted its 96th annual convocation on April 17, 2016 and as per the university statutes, it is not supposed to conduct another convocation in the same year. But, the Syndicate of the university agreed and finalised the dates for the 97th annual convocation, which is scheduled to be held on December 13.

As per the chapter 7, section 7.2 sub section 1(i) of the statutes of the university, there is no provision to hold two consecutive convocations within the same calender year for the purpose of conferring degrees. Though, there were objections by some syndicate members to conduct convocation in December, the matter got approved in the syndicate held in November.
Meanwhile, the issue has now reached the Governor, who is also the Chancellor. Syndicate member, M S S Kumar and Save Universities Forum president Shivaramu K S, wrote to the Governor requesting him to direct the university to withdraw the circular issued on the convocation and conduct it as per the statutes and time-honoured tradition.
The copies of the letters are available with Express. The letter also has details about recent judgement pronounced by the High Court in a case related to misappropriations at Karnataka State Open University (KSOU).

“Very recently the High Court has refused to quash the FIR filed against UoM Vice Chancellor Prof K S Rangappa and dismissed the petition, relating to criminal proceedings based on Bhaktavatsala committee report. Thus sharing the dias by the Chancellor and other dignitaries with tainted VC may tarnish their image and also the image of a prestigious university,” reads the letter.
They also requested Chancellor to call off the scheduled convocation in the interest of students, teachers and the university.

Syndicate member M S S Kumar told Express, “There are no justifications for this second convocation except whimsicality and arbitrariness of the administration of the university. I requested the Chancellor to direct the authorities to stop the convocation and also initiate action against the registrar for failing to run the university as per the provisions under the statute.”

Why is the V-C in a hurry?

Sources sayProf Rangappa will be completing his term on January 13, 2017 and he allegedly wants to conduct the convocation before that. “All these years the university witnessed annual convocations between February and April and this is the first time it is happening so early,” said a senior professor of the university. It can be recalled that, a recent High Court judgement says, Rangappa can be arrested after 15 days of the judgement.

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