Amending constitution can cost Stephen’s Delhi University affiliation

Any move to amend the 102-year-old constitution of St. Stephen’s to give more powers to the principal and Church of North India (CNI) might cost the college its Delhi University affiliation as it would be in violation of the varsity’s statutes and ordinances.

According to well-placed sources, derecognition by the university is likely to result in the prestigious college losing funds from the University Grants Commission (UGC), which currently provides 95 per cent funding to the institution with the remaining money coming from the CNI-controlled St. Stephen’s Trust.

St. Stephen’s principal Valson Thampu, who is retiring in February next year, has circulated a draft amendment in which he has proposed that the principal be empowered to take disciplinary action against students or staff irrespective of the governing body’s opinion.

He has also called for giving a major say to CNI in the functioning of the college, handing over the faculty appointments and admissions to the supreme council and amending the composition of the GB. The amendment also proposes to replace St. Stephen’s College Trust, which currently runs the college, with a proposed St. Stephen’s Educational Society, which will have the power to establish Stephen’s-like private institutions across the country.

But the proposed amendment is likely to become a bone of contention between St. Stephen’s and Delhi University as, according to university statutes, a constituent college of DU is bound to follow common rules laid down in the ordinance regarding faculty appointments, constitution of governing bodies and powers of the principal.

“If the institution, which was granted the status of constituent unit, changes the very nature of the constitution, its recognition will be jeopardised. There are certain exemptions for Stephen’s due to its being a minority college but, in this case, DU may object to any amendment which is prejudicial to the university and, if the college is de-affiliated, it might lose UGC funding,” added the source.

According to university statute 30(D), any amendments that pertain to content of teaching, rules and regulations of faculty appointments and service conditions and modification of the constitution of the governing body can be effected only after an enquiry is done by the DU’s executive council, which is the statutory decision-making body.