On 10th January, 2024, a Y21 Mtech student in the Aerospace department lost his life owing to suicide. The student was terminated from the institute on 26th December. In the background of these events, amongst other pressing issues the Students’ Senate unofficially met on 12th January.
A list of demands was made and the President, Students’ Gymkhana forwarded the same to the administrative authorities. A prompt response was demanded, denial of which would lead to stern measures by the students.
Vox talked with Mr. Dhwanit Balwani, President’s Students’ Gymkhana about the demands presented and the administration’s response to it.
Administrative Proposals
Revamp and Reinstatement of Department Student Activity Committee: ICS shall nominate a DSAC convener for each department in consultation with the HoD. DSAC TAs shall be assigned to report weekly about any at-risk individuals to ICS.
The Director agreed to this proposal and Dhwanit, after talking with the Counselling Service assured that it would be implemented from the next semester.
Overhaul of the academic IT infrastructure (mainly Pingala and OARS): Revamping of IT infrastructure was demanded to resolve the numerous security breaches and server problems at the earliest while maintaining a user-centred design approach.
The director asked Mr. Dhwanit Blawani to talk to DDIA. Talks with the latter are in progress.
Semester grade report email:It should contain cumulative grades of all previous semesters and state clearly all clauses for potential termination (CPI, X grades etc.) attached along with the transcript itself.
The director agreed to this proposal.
Reappeal for termination: The information regarding reappeal should be forwarded directly to DPGC student nominees from the SPGC after they have finalized the list.
The SPGC chairperson will recommend the same to the department .
360-degree review mechanism: Net Promoter Score for each guide’s group should be started where students rate anonymously regarding how their group is working and how it can be improved every month. The resulting rating must be public across course surveys and promoter scores.
The SPGC chairperson has a positive outlook, the details of the proposal have to be worked out.
Faculty mentorship program: The faculties shall be allotted around 20 students during the start of their degree. This will act as an informal forum for interaction amongst the students and the faculty and help them in knowing the campus life, opportunities and how they can flourish ahead.
The President has assured that this program will be functional from the next semester
Ombuds group: A DG-level retired or working professional be requested to serve as the chairperson of the student ombuds group and student representation must be included as well.
This proposal has been accepted by the Director and the request for an external member was denied.
Expansion of functions of Institute Counselling Service: The PG core team should also be in regular touch with students under AP, warning and termination cases.
The counselling service has completely agreed to the prompt implementation of this change.
Absence of Mess in Hall 14: While the students had been promised a proper mess by the start of January, which has not been fulfilled yet, a system of room delivery for food was demanded.
The institute agreed that breakfast would be served in Hall 14 itself, while lunch and dinner would be arranged in Hall 12, which is very close to H14.
Lack of space for gymkhana activities: The Old SAC area’s space was asked to be allotted back to the students for their activities
The director responded with a positive note and asked the president to draft a detailed proposal on the same.
Conditions at Dhobhi Ghat: The administration should work on having a discussion with the dhobhis, and restore the power supply of the area.
The electricity has been restored. The administration agreed to participate in a dialogue with the dhobis.
Formation of Doctoral Monitoring Committee (DMC): To reduce the subjectivity and the potential of personal bias in S/X grading of the thesis the DMC should give a rough evaluation from the perspective of the (S/X) grades twice per semester focusing on the potential X grades one may receive and rough goals or guidelines to prevent the same.
SPGC chairperson has expressed his willingness to take this in the upcoming SPGC meet.
Formation of Masters Monitoring Committee (MMC):The MMC will provide a platform for the student to present his work during the semester and provide an external and the guide’s perspective on grades and achievable goals within a semester for MTech and MSR Thesis work, twice a semester.
The chairperson of SPGC has conveyed his readiness to address this matter during the upcoming SPGC meeting.
Involvement of guide: While sending the remarks on any appeal the DPGC and SPGC committee of the department should not have the guide of the student as a member.
SPGC chairperson asserted that this already happens but he will ensure a more robust implementation.
Involvement of Student nominees: There are cases where DPGC student nominees have not been invited to DPGC meetings to discuss recommendations on termination appeal cases. This practice should be eradicated and the student nominees must be involved at all levels.
Utmost care will be taken so that student nominees are always kept in the loop.
Written by : Utkarsh Agrawal, Zainab Fatima
Design credits : Vardaan Vig
