On 02-07-2011, a one day fast was organized on behalf of Zone II and the members from various zones participated in the fast against the management of V.H.N.Senthikumara Nadar College, Virudhunagar.

The fast programme was inaugurated by S.E.Kannan, District Secretary of TNGEA under the presidentshhip of Dr.N.Thenpandian, President, Zone II-MUTA. The vindictive measures of the management of Virudhunagar Hindu Nadars’ Senthikumara Nadar College were condemned by the office bearers of various fraternal organizations. Muthuraj (TN), Sivaperuman (TNRSCTA), Balasubramanian (DYFI), Theni Vsanthan (JCTU), Mahalingam (AIIEA), Dr.R.Murali, Joint General Secretary-MUTA, Dr.A.T.Sentahmaraikannan, Secretary, Zone I-MUTA, Dr.S.Thiagarajan, Zone II- MUTA, Rajan (TNPTF), Subramanian (TNRGEA), Ravindran (BSNLEU) offered their support for the struggle against the vindictive management. All of them stressed the need for the withdrawal of the proposal for autonomy. On 04-07-2011, a press meet was organized at Madurai in this regard.

In the Press

MUTA against autonomy for Virudhunagar College

Teachers to stage protest today

The Madurai Kamaraj, Manonmaniam Sundaranar, Mother Teresa and Alagappa University Teachers' Association (MUTA) is against conferring ‘autonomous' status on Virudhunagar Hindu Nadars' Senthikumara Nadar College in Virudhunagar.

Members of the association plan to stage a demonstration near the college on Tuesday when a University Grants Commission (UGC) expert committee is scheduled to inspect the college regarding granting of autonomous status.

Memorandum to be submitted

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, MUTA's joint general secretary R. Murali said that the association would meet the committee's chairman and present a memorandum outlining their reasons for opposing autonomous status.

He claimed that the college management decided to apply for autonomy without consulting the academic stakeholders _ the teachers and students. The UGC guidelines state that college management should arrive at a consensus with the stakeholders before applying.

A group of college teachers had already given a representation against granting autonomous status to a committee from National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) during its inspection of the college in 2008.

These moves were a consequence of the national push by the Central Government to grant autonomous status to more colleges and withdraw government funding for higher education.

Privatisation of education

This would eventually result in privatisation of education and take it beyond the reach of poor students, he said.

N. Thenpandian, MUTA president (Zone 2), said that the association had already staged two protests on this issue. Of the seven zones of MUTA, Zone 2 covered Virudhunagar and Madurai South. Members from four MUTA zones would take part in the protest, he added.

Denial

The Principal of the college, P. Sundarapandian, when contacted, denied the charges and said that except for a few all the teachers were working for getting autonomous status.

Staff meeting

The college, he claimed, started the process by organising a meeting of heads of departments, which was followed by two meetings of staff members.

Those who attended these meetings had signed a memorandum seeking autonomy for the college. The application for autonomy was made on the basis of discussions had at these meetings, Prof. Sundarapandian said. “All of us are working day and night to get autonomy,” he added.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/article2160888.ece