12 April,2011 07:09 AM IST | | Kranti Vibhute
A student did the rounds at Kalina campus for almost a year inu00a0search of the syllabus, before being told to fend for herself
It's been almost a year since Kashmira Fitter (50), took admission at the Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL).
u00a0
For other students, exams have started, and even Fitter has appeared for more than half the papers, as per the examination hall tickets allotted to her.
Kashmira Fitter with the hall ticket
But the scholar is still making the rounds of Mumbai University's Kalina Campus, having failed to obtain the syllabus for her last paper on Woman's writing and feminist criticism, scheduled for April 23.
Fitter took admission for a course on English literature last year at IDOL. Her syllabus was divided into two groups, with three subjects in each group.
The subjects that she took up in group A included British literature (1550-1750), English language and literature criticism and Translation (theory and practical).
In group B, she took up subjects such as Literature in English (1750-1900), 20th century literature in English, and Woman's writing and feminist criticism.
So far Fitter has appeared for two papers British literature (1550-1750), and English language and Literature criticism.
u00a0
However, her preparations have been hampered considerably, as she has had to spend a lot of time running around at the Kalina campus to obtain the syllabus for her last opted paper on Woman's writing and feminist criticism.
Doing the rounds
Yesterday, she made another visit to the department, hoping to procure the syllabus, but received a shocking response.u00a0 She was informed that the university did not even offer the subject. She even tried contacting Santosh Rathod, assistant professor of English literature, but he was not available.
An exasperated Fitter said, "I am a working woman who has to balance different acts. I have been running around the campus to get a copy of the syllabus for a year now. When I went to the campus this week, the officials were extremely impolite and refused outright.
u00a0
I find it shocking that a student is given a subject and informed a year later that it is not offered. They should have informed me earlier. It is outrageous that they even printed an examination hall ticket with the name of the subject on it, without realising that it is not included in the programme."
She went on to say, "The university had also taken an undertaking from us during the admission procedure, guaranteeing that we would not sue them if any problems cropped up.u00a0 After making me run all over the campus all year long, they told me only today that I should enquire at the Fort syllabus department."
An ex-student of IDOL said, "I sat for the same exams in 2008, and at that time we were informed well in advance that IDOL students could not opt for subjects like Woman's writing and feminist criticism. Hence we never opted for those subjects."
The Other Side
SANTOSH Rathod said, "The university only provides the syllabus and study material for the compulsory subjects in group A. Those who opt for a subject from group B are informed at the time of admission that they must prepare themselves for the subject, since the university does not provide them with the subject syllabus. We even ensure that all those admitted sign an undertaking agreeing to these terms."
D Harichandan, professor and director of distance education at IDOL, was unavailable for comment. However, the officials at the Fort campus said, "The syllabus of that particular subject is available at Fort campus, but students never make the effort to come all the way here to obtain it."
