MUTA condemns campus violence

 An appeal to eschew violence on campus of the American College here has been made by the Madurai Kamaraj Manonmaniam Sundaranar Mother Teresa and Alagappa University Teachers' Association (MUTA) to all stakeholders – management, teachers, non-teaching staff and students.
In a joint statement issued here on Wednesday, MUTA President S. Vivekanandan and General Secretary of Tamil Nadu Association of Non-Teaching Staff of Aided Colleges (TANTSAC) R. Stephen Raj, while strongly condemning the violence, urged the district administration to constitute a peace committee to run the college smoothly and restore peace. It also wanted the State Government to take immediate steps to release the salaries of teaching and non-teaching staff of the college from December. Students, the statement pointed out, had been affected by the campus unrest in the last three years due to the standoff between two groups. 

State Government must temporarily take over American College   

 Members of the Madurai Kamaraj University's Academic Council on Friday wanted the State Government to temporarily take over the American College here till normality was restored on the crisis-struck campus.
An intense debate took place for over an hour on the situation at the 130-year-old college during which members firmly expressed that the university should not remain silent on the issue. Besides appealing to the government to administer the college, the members also asked the university to cancel the affiliation of American College “which has been witnessing law and order problems, insecurity to staff/ students and a situation not conducive for conducting semester examinations.”
R. K. Alagesan moved an adjournment motion calling for debate on the latest crisis in one of the prestigious institutions of Madurai and the steps that could be taken by the university in the interest of students.
“Classes are not being conducted but the management has announced examination dates (starting on April 25). There is no safety for teachers and students. Some staff members have not got three months' salary. Unfortunately, there were physical attacks on faculty and some students are now on fast unto death. When nothing is taught to students, how can examinations be conducted?” he asked.
Another member, N. Thenpandian, who represents teachers' association MUTA, said that the American College had been witnessing problems for the past three years on the issue of college management and who should be the Principal. “The house should condemn the violence that took place on the college campus on March 14. Until there is a peaceful situation and amicable settlement between the warring groups, the State Government can appoint a Special Officer,” he suggested.
There was also criticism on why the university nominee on the American College governing council did not brief the authorities on the prevailing situation when students were at a loss because of two factions of faculty members.
While P. N. Narayana Raja questioned whether the university nominee was an honorary post or carried any responsibility, another member, university professor S. Krishnaswamy informed the house that the university as per its statute was empowered to take steps in any college. “We have enough powers in the statute irrespective of what the government has done so far. The university can review the status of the college periodically for the well-being of students,” Dr. Krishnaswamy said.

On High-level Panel
Two other members — P. M. Ajmal Khan and N. Periathambi — too voiced concern that the high-level committee formed by the State Government to look into the American College's problems was yet to begin its task.
“How can a college be run in the presence of police daily? Is the fight going on for a property dispute or academic reasons? The Academic Council has to pass a resolution asking the government to take over the college temporarily,” said Dr. Periathambi.
Echoing the other members' sentiments, G. R. Parthasarathy said that the situation in the college had gone “out of proportions” and the university could persuade the government to expedite the process of talks by the committee.
At this stage, another member, Seshadri, expressed doubts whether the university could interfere much in a minority institution. “Emotions will not work. At best you can speak about withdrawing affiliation,” he said.
In his reply, the Vice-Chancellor, R. Karpaga Kumaravel, said that the American College issue was a “complex and sensitive issue with various dimensions.” The university, he said, would write to the government on Saturday requesting it to expedite the process of talks for peace in the college. 

http://www.hindu.com/2011/03/17/stories/2011031764740500.htm
http://www.hindu.com/2011/03/19/stories/2011031963420200.htm