St. Stephen’s to discuss autonomy issue today

Delhi University’s (DU) St. Stephen’s College has called an emergency meeting on Saturday to discuss the modalities of attaining autonomous status, even as the Varsity’s teachers association has called for a demonstration to protest against the idea.

“In consultation with the Governing Body (GB) Chairman, an emergency meeting has been called to discuss the proposal for grant of autonomy to St. Stephen’s College and to take necessary consequent action,” the agenda for the meeting read.

Meanwhile, the Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) has called for a demonstration against the meeting, saying they were “opposed to the dismemberment and privatisation of DU”. Unless colleges get university status with degree-awarding powers, granting them more autonomy will not necessarily mean that they will not be a part of the university, it said.

Earlier this month, DU had formed a committee for its colleges that are seeking autonomy or university status, including SRCC, St. Stephen’s, Ramjas, and Hansraj.