'UGC rules not followed': DU asks St Stephen's not to proceed with principal's appointment

In a fresh face-off between the University of Delhi (DU) and St Stephen’s College, the university administration has officially directed the college to freeze the appointment of Professor Susan Elias as its new principal.

The university cited alleged non-compliance with the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2018, as the primary reason for the intervention. DU officials have signalled that the appointment process must remain on hold until the procedural concerns regarding the selection criteria and regulatory mandates are addressed.

In a letter dated May 14, signed by the DU registrar and addressed to the chairman of the college's governing body, the university referred to recent media reports regarding the appointment of a new principal at the college.

According to a notification released by St Stephen's on Tuesday, the Supreme Council of the college had announced that Susan Elias would be taking charge as the 14th and the first woman principal of the college from June 1. It was a landmark move in its 145-year history, signalling a new chapter for one of India’s most reputed colleges.

Professor Susan Elias, a computer scientist and academic administrator was set to succeed Professor John Varghese, whose continuation in office after the completion of his tenure had triggered years of conflict between the college and its varsity – Delhi University.

'Violation of UGC Rules'

Now, the DU has put a brake on this appointment.

DU Registrar Vikas Gupta told PTI, "The college is 100 per cent funded by the central government and has to come under the UGC Rules. The regulations cannot be violated."

In Thursday's letter to the chairman, the university cited provisions under the UGC Regulations, 2018, on minimum qualifications for the appointment of teachers and academic staff in universities and colleges and measures for maintenance of standards in higher education.

Also read: St Stephen's first woman principal breaks glass ceiling; alumni react

"The Clause of 5.0 of the UGC Regulations, 2018, provides the constitution of selection committees and guidelines on selection procedure. The Sub-clause VIII-A of the Clause 5 provides for the selection committee for appointment of College Principal and Professor," the letter noted, and further detailed the prescribed composition of the selection committee for the appointment of a college principal, including two nominees of the vice-chancellor, higher education experts and subject experts.

It further said that in the case of minority educational institutions, certain members are required to be selected from panels recommended by the vice chancellor and approved statutory bodies.

"In case of Colleges notified/declared as minority educational institutions, one nominee of the Chairperson of the College from out of a panel of five names, preferably from minority communities, recommended by the Vice-Chancellor of the affiliating university of whom one should be a subject expert," it said.

Founded in 1881, St Stephen's College is among the oldest higher education institutions in the national capital and was one of the original constituent colleges of the University of Delhi, when the university was established in 1922.

“Seeing a woman Principal today is the culmination of a long series of shifts. The number of women students and women faculty members have grown steadily over the decades," Switzerland-based Supriya Guha, a former Stephanian, had told The Federal in an earlier interview. Guha was one of the first batch of women students to be admitted in 1975.

Like many prestigious institutions founded in the 19th century, St Stephen’s had carried a strong "gentleman’s college" identity.

Even after women were readmitted in 1975, the senior-most administrative roles remained occupied by male faculty who had joined during the all-male era. It has taken several decades for women faculty to reach the level of seniority and administrative experience required for the Principal’s post, it appears.

Not implementable

The letter added that the university has not been requested for the nomination of experts according to the provisions of UGC Regulations 2018.

"In view of the above, it appears that the Selection Committee for the appointment of a new principal in the college has not been constituted in accordance with the provisions of UGC Regulations 2018," it added.

Also read: After row, St Stephen’s allows 52 students to write exams; issue runs deeper, say critics

The university also said that recommendations made by such a committee "cannot be implemented upon".

Accordingly, the registrar directed the college not to proceed with the appointment process and asked it to convene a meeting of a selection committee constituted according to the UGC norms.

Battles with DU

In recent years, the appointment of the Principal has been a source of heavy litigation between the college and Delhi University (DU). The college has fought to maintain its autonomy in selecting its head, while DU and the UGC (University Grants Commission) have pushed for stricter adherence to national norms.

These long-standing disputes often led to "officiating" principals or extensions for male incumbents (like Prof John Varghese), delaying the search for a new, permanent leader.

This recent development blocking the appointment of a woman principal appears to be yet another flashpoint in the ongoing tussle between Delhi University and St Stephen’s College over autonomy, governance, and the right to choose its leadership.