Seven Syndicate members of MKU appeal to Governor

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“Ensure Kalyani Mathivanan does not take policy decisions”

SHASTRY V MALLADY

Seven Syndicate members of MKU appeal to Governor

Seven Syndicate members of Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) here have urged Governor K. Rosaiah to ensure that Vice-Chancellor Kalyani Mathivanan does not take policy decisions till the Supreme Court disposes of her appeal against the Madras High Court order which set aside her appointment.

In a joint letter to the Governor-Chancellor, they said that the VC should be made to look after only day-to-day administration and not take long-term decisions such as appointments or nominations.

“She should not be allowed to convene the Syndicate meeting also. The situation in MKU needs the intervention of the Governor to prevent further complications in the university,” they pleaded.

The signatories were R. Kannan, M. Rajarajan, V. Venkataraman, K. Selvakumar, Murali Pakshirajan, K. Pitchumani and P. Periakaruppan.

“The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on June 26 passed orders on a writ of quo warranto against the appointment of Dr. Kalyani Mathivanan as MKU Vice-Chancellor. Her appointment was set aside since she had falsely projected herself as professor and head when she was actually only an associate professor and head. Later, she went on appeal to the Supreme Court and obtained interim stay,” the Syndicate members said.

They brought to the notice of the Governor that Dr. Kalyani Mathivanan, after getting an interim stay from the Supreme Court, reoccupied the office of Vice-Chancellor on July 7 with much fanfare and negative publicity, which was unbecoming of an academic head.

“In the event of the stay being vacated, then de jure the appointment would not be valid from June 26. To avoid legal complications, she should not be allowed to convene the Syndicate meeting or take policy decisions till the Civil Appeal (CA No.5496, 5497 of 2014) she has preferred is finally disposed of by the Supreme Court,” they said in the letter dated July 9.

Dr. Rajarajan told The Hindu on Saturday that all the seven members were united in their stand to save the university and firm that the VC should not bypass the Syndicate and take decisions, especially on matters of appointment. He objected to the VC’s decision to nominate two persons of her choice as Syndicate members and also issue appointment letters to associate professors and assistant professors.

The Madurai Kamaraj University Faculty Association (MUFA) too shot off a letter to the Governor on Friday requesting him to set aside the nomination made by the VC during the six-week interim stay period.