Demand for Dean’s resignation
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 2
In another major embarrassment to Nagaland University, students of the School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASARD) in Medziphema today protested outside the institution’s Dean’s residence demanding his resignation. Led by the SASARD students’ union, students held placards and shouted slogans against the Dean, after he failed to comply with a ‘three hours ultimatum’ served by the students’ body during the day. The union locked the Dean’s office and seized his vehicle. The union has resolved not to open the Dean’s office until he resigns.
SASARD students’ union president Imliangshi Kichu told The Morung Express that the students are unhappy with the manner in which the Dean is running his office. Kichu said the dean is completely oblivious to the welfare of the students and despite repeated memos submitted to him, the Dean has done nothing for the students. The students’ leader said that in April this year, the union had submitted a 13-point memorandum to the Dean, appealing for better welfare facilities for the students. The union appealed for development of the campus, increase in travel allowance and installation of an ATM and internet facility, among others. However, the Dean made no effort to look into the requirements, the union said.
Consequently, on July 29 the union gave the Dean a ‘reminder’ about their memorandum but the Dean gave no specific assurance to the students, Kichu said. The last straw came when the Dean canceled a plantation drive after he had already assured the students that the college would provide the saplings.
Later, the Dean told students’ that the college did not have funds to procure the saplings, the union president added. The union ultimately called for a general body meeting and decided to serve a ‘three hours ultimatum’ and also calling for the Dean’s resignation.
The union has expressed regret that the dean has not done anything for the students’ welfare. “We will not accept him as our Dean since he is not taking care of the students’ welfare,” the union said. All 1st to 4th year students’ including the post graduate students’ took part in the protest. The union officials said that the next step of action will be taken after a meeting tonight.
Interestingly, the Dean also faced the wrath of the Medziphema Village Youth Organisation (MVYO) today. The youths came into the Dean’s office just before the students’ began protesting. MVYO locked the Dean’s office after he walked out on them, MVYO president told The Morung Express. MVYO had gone to the Dean’s office to discuss a matter ‘on allotting seats through land-owner’s quota.’ The president said that although there is no written document or agreement for such a provision, the college had been admitting a few students each year as land-owners quota on ‘verbal understanding.’ However, when the present Dean refused to take up the matter at his level, MVYO youths confronted him and later locked the office.
A copy of the students’ representation receive here today listed what evidently is a long list of lack, need and grievances. The ‘priorities’ the students sought meeting included almost everything from the need for water supply to career counseling, bus services to replacement of chairs and even a demand for renovation of the girl’s basketball court.
The union elaborated what was stated to be inadequate supply for extra-curricular activities’ materials and lack of proper hostel facilities. The representation also explained grievances about “hurting the sentiments of the students,” “no respect for the students” and lack of interest in the college. According to the representation, the Dean “clearly depicted your lack of interest in the college verbally in some instances.” The union mentioned on such during a meeting on July 29, 2010 with students in his office.
