JNUSU approaches VC with memo against compulsory attendance

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) on Thursday approached Vice Chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar with a memorandum signed by more than 2,000 students denouncing the decision making attendance compulsory in classes.

A mass delegation led by the union demonstrated outside the office of Vice Chancellor, who, however, could not receive the memo as he was away, said the students, citing the Chief Proctor.

The students refused to give the memorandum to the Chief Proctor and insisting on meeting the VC, for which they secured an appointment on Monday.

JNUSU President Geeta Kumari told IANS that the move to make attendance compulsory during lectures was a "diktat" and was never passed through the statutory bodies.

"They are lying that the decision was passed by the 144 Academic Council meeting on December 1. It did not. Now a committee has been formed to finalise the decision by the administration. We do not know when it will submit its report," she said.

Attendance has never been mandatory for students during lectures and even now the administration hasn't clarified how much attendance is required to be qualified to sit in exams, she said.

In a circular dated December 21, the Jawaharlal Nehru University administration informed the students of attendance being made compulsory from the upcoming winter session, saying the decision was taken as per a resolution passed in the 144th Academic Council meeting held on December 1.

Geeta Kumari said that they have secured signatures of over 2,000 students against the move despite many being away during semester break, and the number will only increase by Monday.

--IANS

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