Have a grievance, tell JNU's new VC

University circular says students can meet Sopory and discuss issues every first Monday

Are you a student at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)? Do you have a grievance that you need to talk about? Well, just meet the vice-chancellor. In a unique move, JNU's vice-chancellor SK Sopory recently issued a circular, effective Monday, which says students can now meet him and discuss their issues on every first Monday of the month between 4-6pm.




JNU's new VC has decided to meet the students regarding their
grievances once a month

On Monday, the first day of the practise, a small group of students visited the VC office with their issues on student elections. On being asked what prompted the move, Sopory said: "This is the first ever open day for them. As a teacher, I want to be surrounded by students and know them up close. I basically wish to discuss the academic issues with them regarding teaching, projects and if their certificates are being issued on time."
Meanwhile, students seem happy with the move.

"The former VC was like a dictator. He was never concerned with students' issues. We hope the present one will like to keep a good equation with the students as well. It is a positive step for us that we can go up to him with our problems. This might for the first time help make student-teacher relationship transparent," said Ali Iqbal, a student of foreign language in JNU. However, student leaders are neutral about the matter and feel it is too early to say if it will be of any use to them.

"It is something good that has been brought into practice, though we are yet to see how long it will be continued. There are a number of issues ranging from hostels, to the papers to elections. We hope it is not just a formal meeting," said Vikram Mukherjee, member, All India Students Association (AISA).u00a0While the VC is sure of the step, he said he might not sit with hostel issues as the hostel rector is there to address them.u00a0

"I believe it will be a fruitful practise as such interventions in the past have been of help. I want to reach students wherever they are. Only recently a student met with an accident and I went to see him in the hostel. Let's see how far things are a success," said a hopeful Sopory.