Student Legislative Council @ IIT Madras: Of the Students, by the Students and for the Students

When academicians and social workers criticise the 'politicisation' of educational institutions through student bodies, IIT Madras has been silently implementing a unique model of 'democratisation' of student bodies without politicization along party lines for the past 35 years. Student Affairs Council (SAC), the Student Parliament of the Institute with elected representatives has been successfully functioning within the IIT Madras campus since academic year 1980-81, taking care of student interest in both academic and non-academic matters. The first Student Constitution was formally approved by the Senate of IIT Madras on 6th December 1983, and has undergone 3 revisions, the last one in 2011. Now the fourth revision is under discussion. Recently SAC has been renamed as the Student Legislative Council (SLC).

Looking Back

Prof. L S Ganesh, Professor of Management Studies and Former Dean (Students) was one of the three student-members who drafted and finalised the first Constitution way back in 1980. At that time, he was a research scholar in IIT Madras. He recalls, "During those days, there was a student body known as IIT Gymkhana, which governed the non-academic matters. The office bearers were nominated by the administration. Manmohan Singh (not the former Prime Minister), a research scholar in the Mathematics Department came out with the idea in 1979, as to why students should not play a greater role in the selection process, since IIT had wide range of talents. I joined the Institute in 1980 as research scholar. Prof. Indiresan, then Director encouraged the idea and involved Prof. R Srinivasan, then Dean Student, to frame the constitution. I was one of the three student-members who were involved in drafting and finalising the Constitution, under the guidance of three Professors. Though the first Constitution was approved by the Senate on 6^th December 1983, the student representative structure through general elections was implemented in 1980-81. That was the beginning of a new era providing the opportunity to the students to manage the affairs themselves successfully. Based on our experience, the Constitution has undergone three revisions. I am happy about the functioning of Students Legislative Council (SLC)".

Students Legislative Council (SLC) and Executive Council (EC)

This is the Parliament of the entire students' community of IIT Madras. Earlier it was known as 'Student Affairs Council (SAC)'. This body has 56 representatives elected from 20 hostels and 16 departments. Every year, elections are held in the month of March and the new SLC takes over in April. The Speaker is elected by the 56 representatives. Anybody can contest for the post of Speaker. The candidate should not hold any other office. Around 8000 plus students participate in this election process to elect their representatives. The Executive Council (EC, earlier known as Executive Wing EW) consists of 9 elected representatives to look after the various affairs like Academic, Research, Sports, Hostel, etc. These 9 representatives are elected by the 8000 students.

Student Election Commission

The elections are held by the Student Election Commission (SEC) consisting of two Professor-Officers nominated by Dean (Students) and three students nominated by SLC. Every year during August, the Speaker calls for nominations from all the students to be part of the Election Commission. From out of the nominations received, SLC recommends three students to the Dean for appointment to the Student Election Commission. These three students conduct elections, under the supervision of two Professors. Voting is done online.

Restricted Campaign

After the date of the elections to the various posts is notified in March, interested candidates file their nominations. Campaigns based on political, religious, community or caste are strictly prohibited. The candidates can prepare a 'one page' manifesto. 'Soap Box Meetings' are held hostel-wise and department-wise on a specific day, when all the candidates present their manifestos to their electors. The electors openly question the candidates based on their manifestos. Campaigning is stopped 24 hours before the election.

A separate 'Soap Box Meeting' is organised to enable the candidates standing for the posts in the Executive Council to present their manifestos to the entire student body. This is accompanied by open and public debates. The candidates are not permitted to paste posters in the campus and/or distribute pamphlets. The candidates can provide their contents in the approved format to the SEC, who in turn will print sufficient posters and paste them in approved places. E-mail campaign is permitted with the approval of the SEC. Any violation of the campaign guidelines will promptly disqualify the candidates concerned. A transparent and responsive grievance redressal mechanism is in place.

Elections are held on a specified day between 3 PM and 8 PM. 20 polling booths are set up in the 20 hostels. A number of polling booths are also set up in common places to enable day-scholars and others to vote. Voting is done online using software. The election results are formally announced within a couple of hours after the closing time of the voting process.

The election process is completed in March every year. However, there will be another election process in September to fill the vacancies, if any.

Functions of SLC and EC

SLC is the apex policy-making body of, by and for the students. A minimum of three meetings should be held every semester. Faculty Advisors are associated with every activity to guide the students. The SLC can discuss issues, make resolutions and recommendations concerning academic/non-academic matters for further discussion and approval by the Senate/Deans' Committee. The Senate is the highest academic policy-making body of the Institute and consists of Professors. The Students' General Secretary, Secretary (Academic Affairs) and Secretary (Research Affairs) are included as members in the Senate. There are numerous instances when the Chairperson of the Senate (the Director of the Institute) has sought the student representatives' inputs before taking decisions on a variety of matters. The Executive Council (EC) implements the decisions of the Senate.

Uniqueness

Generally, the IITs and IIMs have their own models for student representation. However, the IIT Madras model is unique and transparent. Any student or faculty member can participate in SLC meetings as observers. If required, the Speaker can seek such observers' inputs to gain valuable ideas. The Speaker can form Sub-Committees to examine specific issues via discussions with Professors and Students before submitting recommendations to the Speaker. At the end of the SLC's term, 'Fifth Estate', an independent Media Wing of the Student body reviews the performance of all the elected representatives and publishes its report online for transparency.

Though outsiders are not generally permitted, the editorial team of PreSense got special permission from the Speaker, Venkataraman Ganesh, a senior student of the MA programme, to observe the proceedings of the SLC during this month. R. Nurullah (Senior Journalist and Vice President of Sansad Ratna Awards Committee) and Prime Point Srinivasan (Editor in Chief, PreSense) spent nearly two hours during the proceedings as observers. They were impressed with the way the students initiated and discussed various issues and submitted recommendations to the Senate. During the proceedings, the SLC was discussing at length, the pros and cons of allowing students to redo a course to improve their grades. The discussions were mature, without vested interest, and conducted solemnly.

According to Venkataraman, the SLC's resolution has been sent to the Senate and is expected to be approved. "Our system is transparent. We do not want any political interference in our system, though individually every one may have his/her own personal preferences. Collectively, we look at the welfare of the students and the image of the Institute. We never demand anything that can dilute the quality of the education. Through this system, we gain considerable hands-on experience in governance and to develop leadership skills. Every year, the SLC discusses and passes the annual budget to the extent of 15 million rupees. Every problem has a solution to go with it. We have eight thousand plus highly talented students in our campus. We get trained to use our talents to build our nation", he concluded with swelling pride.

Lyngdoh Committee also recommended in 2006 this type of model which was accepted by Supreme Court. IIT Madras implements this successful student governance model for the past 35 years and deserves to be studied and emulated by other Institutions/Universities in our country.

The Speaker of SLC can be reached at speaker@smail.iitm.ac.in.

By K. Srinivasan, Editor in Chief, PreSense

www.corpeziine.com

By K. Srinivasan, Editor in Chief