‘Students and Mumbai University are both being looted’

Students allege fault lies in resolution passed by the academic council that allows the affiliated colleges to charge the fees that way. File pic

The absence of bifurcation in the fees structure for BSc Hospitality is leading to major losses to the tune of crores of rupees to the Mumbai University (MU), from affiliated colleges offering the course. The fault, allege student bodies and senate members, lies in a resolution passed by the varsity's academic council. It allows these colleges to charge an annual fee of Rs 1.30 lakh (in two instalments semester wise), but irrespective of the fees, whether they are Rs 1.30 lakh or Rs 20,000, the university only charges Rs 400 towards its share.

It has been 10 months since the former university registrar admitted in a letter to the error, but its rectification is pending. An objection has been raised by the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNVS), a student organisation, which has alleged that this anomaly is causing not only financial losses but also giving a free hand to the colleges to exploit students during the pandemic. Santosh Gangurde, MNVS state vice president, in his letter to the university vice-chancellor dated April 22, 2022, has demanded immediate action on the issue.

Santosh Gangurde, MNVS state vice-president

There are a total of 56 colleges affiliated to the university, that offer this course. According to the data shared by the university, a total of 3,019 students enrolled for the course during the academic year 2020-21 and another 2,871 students enrolled in 2021-22.

The issue

"If one calculates the number of students and the fees each year, these 56 affiliated colleges earn close to Rs 100 crore from students, but these institutions pay less than Rs 50 lakh towards the university's share," said Gangurde.

Gangurde added, "The BSc Hospitality course has gradually increased in popularity, owing to the global demand for tourism management, and over the past few years, more colleges have applied for it while existing ones have applied for additional classes - divisions. There is a huge chance these colleges can exploit students. One of the best examples is that during the pandemic, the university issued a circular on fee reductions for students, with 50% to 100% waivers on various fee heads in the fee structure (eg tuition, library, laboratory, etc.). However, because there is no division in the fee structure of BSc Hospitality studies, no waiver was granted to these students. We have evidence of many colleges charging for even late fees to students. This way both students and university administration are being looted."

Gangurde said, "This is an example of how affiliated colleges openly overrule public universities, and as a result, public universities will die very soon. Even the Supreme Court has stated in one of its orders that fee structure should not be without distinguishing various heads."

Officials speak

Sudhir Puranik, current registrar of the university, said, "The rectification is in process." A senior university official said, "The matter is already being studied and will soon be placed before the academic council of the university. However, the rectification will now be done for the next academic year."