DU issues anti-ragging guidelines as colleges prepare to open.
According to the anti-ragging standards, heads of institutions may designate a Disciplinary Resource Person (DRP) in each college, hostel, hall, or department, and the proctor’s office must be informed of their identity.
The Delhi University released anti-ragging guidelines on Thursday, mandating the establishment of monitoring squads in colleges and the placement of sealed complaint boxes in front of the principal’s office. Orientation days will be held for incoming students to familiarise them with their particular colleges and departments.
On November 20, Miranda House will have its online orientation, during which students will be given a virtual tour of the campus. Other Orientation days will be held on November 22 at Shri Ram College of Commerce, Indraprastha College For Women, Gargi College, and Ramanujan College. On November 20, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences will host its convocation.
Freshmen will also be able to participate in department-specific orientation programs. The orientation programs will be delivered over the internet, and the lessons will be delivered via the internet as well. According to the anti-ragging standards, heads of institutions may designate a Disciplinary Resource Person (DRP) in each college, hostel, hall, or department, and the proctor’s office must be informed of their identity.
“The institutions may erect suitable hoardings/billboards/banners in prominent places within the respective campus to exhort the students to prevent or not to indulge in ragging… Along with the DRP, senior teachers, NCC/NSS officers, if any, and senior students may be involved to form a Disciplinary Resource Committee (DRC)/Disciplinary Committee at the college/faculty/department level.”
READ THE FULL GUIDELINES HERE.
In addition to DRC/DC, the rules proposed forming vigilance squads with the support of NCC/NSS student volunteers to maintain a continual watch for situations of indiscipline among students and to avert unfortunate occurrences.
“Sealed complaint boxes be placed in front of the Principal’s Office, especially in those undergraduate colleges which have hostels, for the benefit of the potential victims of ragging to enable them to put their complaints/suggestions to College authorities. Officials in each college on whom the responsibility has been entrusted will look into those complaints and take prompt necessary action, as per University norms,” the guidelines said.
The vigilance squads and the DRC/DC must work together since the DRC/DC will suggest disciplinary action for any instance of indiscipline involving any student or group of students, and the appropriate head of institution will then take action, according to the statement. Each student is required to have his or her own identification card. Students’ access to the institution should be based only on the verification of their identification cards. Security Guards and other related employees may be used to enforce such controlled entrance.
“Such security staff along with the vigilance squads may organize, from time to time, some surprise raids on the premises of cafeteria/canteen/hostels/student union rooms/general common rooms/parking lots, etc,” the guidelines said.
They also advocated for the establishment of a personal consultant/mentor in colleges and departments, as well as the assignment of all new entrants, either individually or in groups, to a specific faculty member who would devote some time to helping them overcome any emotional issues that may arise as a result of adjusting to a new environment.
