Bharathiar University Faculty Escalate Demands for Delayed Syndicate Appointments
The Bharathiar University Teachers’ Association has submitted its fourth formal request in three years to resolve persistent leadership vacancies. Academic staff argue the lack of representation for senior professors stalls critical administrative and career advancement decisions.
Structural Gaps in Bharathiar University Administration
The Bharathiar University Teachers’ Association (BHUTA) has issued its fourth formal representation in three years to the university administration, demanding the immediate filling of vacant Syndicate seats. These positions, specifically earmarked for the 'Associate Professor' and 'Professor' categories, have remained unoccupied since 2023. This year alone, the association has petitioned the varsity twice, following two previous attempts in the preceding years.
Currently, the Syndicate’s decision-making power rests with a nine-member body. This core includes three academic experts selected by the Chancellor, five government-nominated college secretaries, and a single university assistant professor chosen by seniority rotation. The absence of higher-tier faculty representation has sparked concerns that the body lacks the insight necessary to prioritize institutional academic health.
Impact on Career Advancement and Governance
The lack of senior faculty presence in the Syndicate has led to an administrative bottleneck regarding the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS). BHUTA reports that interviews for eligible faculty promotions remain stalled. Beyond simple appointments, the association is pushing for several specific policy shifts:
- Execution of the High Court ruling regarding the inclusion of past service for CAS eligibility.
- Formal withdrawal of existing audit objections.
- Recognition of post-doctoral research and previous teaching tenures during the promotional review process.
Senior professors note that these vacancies prevent them from participating in critical Syndicate Sub-Committees. Earlier in 2024, the university was forced to distribute the workload of 16 administrative sub-committees among only nine members. While eight ex-officio members remain active, BHUTA insists that meaningful progress on university-specific academic challenges requires the specialized input of Associate Professors and Professors.
Pending Appointments and Regulatory Requirements
The legal framework for university governance dictates specific appointment methods that remain ignored. The Vice-Chancellor is tasked with nominating one associate professor based on seniority. Furthermore, the Chancellor must appoint three university professors—at a ratio of one for every ten department heads—based on recommendations from the Vice-Chancellor. Outside of internal faculty, the institution still waits for directives from the Higher Education Department to fill five additional Senate-elected and Principal-category roles. These include two seats for elected principals of affiliated colleges and two for elected teachers who serve as Senate members.
Source: The Hindu — Cities
