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ShareIn the wake of a student committing suicide at GKVK fearing disciplinary action after he was caught drinking on the campus, questions are once again being raised as to how to deal with erring students. Many experts feel that students must be given enough warning before any serious disciplinary action is taken against them as this can impact their career.
However students must also act responsibly and should not behave rashly if punishment is meted out. Committing suicide or doing something equally drastic will serve no purpose. Dr BN Gangadhar, professor of psychiatry, Nimhans, spoke to Jayalakshmi Venugopal on the issue.
What sort of disciplinary action can colleges take against erring students?
Every college has its own way of enforcing discipline. Usually students are given verbal warnings at first. But if they continue to misbehave and if their actions harm someone, then serious actions are considered against them. Punishments could range from calling parents or guardians for a chat with officials or levying fines. For hostelites, the college could issue written warnings or if the student stays in an independent room shift him or her to a shared one. Measures like displaying the student's name on the notice board and informing others that he or she has been reprimanded are also taken.
Does stern action taken on campus impact students adversely?
Stern action is recommended only if the student is found guilty of something very damaging. Purposefully failing him or her in a subject or withholding his or her marks card or not issuing a hall ticket for an important exam could negatively impact a student's career.
Hence action against a student should be based on the severity of his misbehaviour. In case there is any form of ragging done which has caused harm to a student physically, then criminal action is definitely called for.
What kind of impact does ragging have on students?
Ragging is an inhuman activity which should never be condoned. No student should be allowed to violate a junior's right to study in an educational institution with dignity. Already institutions have adopted strict measures to prevent ragging on campus. They have set up stringent rules to educate students about the consequences of indulging in ragging.
What advice do you have for students?
Students should not react or respond to any action taken against them without thinking things through. Often officials or lecturers might say things to deter students from doing something unwanted. They might threaten the student, for instance, by saying they will ensure he or she doesn't get to sit for an exam. I will ask students not to react to things that they aren't sure of and they shouldn't resort to dangerous means, causing harm to others or themselves.
