DU asks Stephen’s to scrap outgoing principal’s absorption as prof

New Delhi: Delhi University has asked St Stephen’s College not to proceed with the absorption of its outgoing principal, John Varghese, as a professor, terming the move “ultra vires” (beyond their powers) and in violation of UGC regulations and university rules.In a letter on Friday to the chairperson of the college’s governing body, Paul Swarup, the university said it was responding to media reports regarding Varghese’s absorption in the English department after the completion of his tenure as principal.“I would like to draw your kind attention towards the fact that the UGC, the funding body of the college, has sanctioned the substantive posts of lecturer/assistant professor only in the colleges of the university,” the letter states.The university pointed out that Varghese’s extension as principal for another term is already "sub-judice in the high court of Delhi”.Referring to the UGC Regulations, 2018, DU said appointments to the ranks of associate professor and professor in colleges take place through the career advancement scheme (CAS). “Neither the UGC Regulations nor any rules... specifies any provision regarding absorption of an employee/person as professor,” it said, and added that this appointment was “in violation of all rules of UGC and university.”“You are requested to not proceed with this,” DU wrote.The university also raised objections to any financial liabilities arising from the move. It said Varghese should be repatriated to his parent institution and draw his pension and retirement benefits, if any, from there. Copies of the communication were marked to the chairperson and secretary of the UGC.TOI reached out to governing body chairperson Paul Swarup and \Varghese for comment on the university’s objections but did not receive a response till the time of going to press.The issue marks the latest flashpoint in the long-running standoff between DU and St Stephen’s College over appointments and governance. Disputes over the appointment and extension of the principal, as well as faculty recruitment processes, have repeatedly brought the college and the university at loggerheads. While DU has maintained that appointments must conform to UGC regulations and university statutes, the college has asserted its rights as a minority institution.