Ravenshaw University in admission row

Updated on: Tuesday, June 16, 2009

RU had raised the application fee from Rs 50 to Rs 160 in 2007.

The varsity authorities have, however, justified application fee hike saying that it aimed at discouraging non-serious students from applying to RU.

“The varsity is mandated to generate its own resources through new courses and revised fee structure,” said Mishra, adding, “all steps taken had received the government’s nod and were in accordance with the UGC guidelines.”

What has irked the parents as well as students this year is that the varsity has imposed the minimum eligibility criterion of 60 per cent aggregate marks in qualifying examination for admission into graduation courses in Science and Commerce, and 50 per cent for the Arts. Also, students need to have secured 40 per cent in English in Plus Two examination.

The protestors argue that the varsity authorities have resorted to this tactic to slash the number seats in Plus Three classes (Arts-512, Science-288 and Commerce-400). Seats, they say, cannot be filled up on the basis of cut-off marks.

But going by the huge number of online applications already received by the varsity authorities so far, the allegation sounds illogical. “The number of applications has already been superscribed in all the three streams even as the last date fro applying is June 20. Till June 11, we have already received 1,001 applications in Arts (512 seats), 1,675 in PCM (224 seats), 292 in CBZ (64 seats) and 1,440 in Commerce (400 seats),” said Mishra.

The authorities have also set up a helpline desk to assist those who find it cumbersome to apply online. “We provide the online application format printout, free of cost, to students and they just filled in their details, and we apply on their behalf online,” said Mishra.

The protesting students demand a reverse of the cut-off mark decision.

“There is no question of compromise. We have introduced this cut-off mark system to keep non-serious students away from the university and to restore the position of Centre of Excellence to this prestigious institution,” said Mishra.

Students will be told through email or SMS about their admission date and also the varsity will upload serial numbers on its website and publish the same in newspapers for the students’ information, said the registrar.

Educationtimes

Ravenshaw University in admission row

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