Include JNUSU, JNUTA in decision-making for proper functioning of JNU: Students' Union to VC

NEW DELHI: The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) met the new Vice Chancellor Santishree Pandit today, February 11 and presented its demands “highlighting the issues of offline classes, GSCASH, infrastructure issue across campus, health centre, deprivation points, Equal Opportunity Cell, CUET, NEP and other concerns of student community.”

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The VC, in full capacity, is willing to solve the concerns of the student community in dialogue with the students and also seeks to take suggestions of any sort from the student community, the students’ union said in a statement.

The VC also assured JNUSU that the memorandum handed over by JNUSU will be responded back through her office with detailed understanding within a month after looking at the status of each issue, it said.

Demands of JNUSU

In the memorandum, JNUSU demanded VC to include the students union and Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association (JNUTA) in the decision-making process for proper functioning of the university.

The Union demanded the reinstatement of the Gender Sensitization Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH) to control cases of sexual harassment in the campus.

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The students’ body demanded proper functioning of Equal Opportunity Office and SC,ST,OBC Cell of JNU and to ensure no one faces discrimination.

It also demanded reinstatement of deprivation points in all courses offered at the university and regular disbursement of fellowships and scholarships. It also urged the VC to increase the amount of merit-cum-means scholarship and extend it to school of engineering.

JNU reopening, admissions, scholarships

The Union mentioned about reopening of JNU and argued that the university has not made proper arrangements for students including allotment of hostels. It also pointed out the poor infrastructure of campus including constant leaks, failing ceilings and asked for a maintenance drive of schools and hostels.

It demanded the VC to provide for a democratic atmosphere in the university where students, faculty can raise their voices and dissent.

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Further, the Union urged VC to ensure contractual workers get their salaries on time; remove 30% weightage to viva exams in JNU PhD admissions; and take a stand against National Education Policy (NEP) as the members are of the opinion that “NEP, FYUP, and CUET would destroy the higher education in this country.”

Lastly, JNUSU demanded reduction of fees of students of school of engineering and Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Entrepreneurship and Management (ABVSME).