Rules not cast in stone: IIT-M director

COIMBATORE: In an attempt to put to rest the recent controversy over restrictions imposed on students on the campus, IIT Madras director Bhaskar Ramamurthi has declared that no rules would be modified without consulting the students. “The director sent a comprehensive e-mail to the faculty members on Sunday last making it clear that the institute was not in the process of rewriting the rule books. He said that even existing rules are not cast in stone, and can be re-visited at anytime,” a senior professor told the Express. The mail to the faculty followed his interaction with students at an open house session on Wednesday last week. “Professor Bhaskar also observed that the in-house e-mails on the subject of new restrictions on the campus were leaked to the media sparking concern among students. He clarified that the controversy was triggered by a consultation the dean of students had had with women students on the possible need of (or lack thereof) an escort service,” the faculty member said. The director’s message read: “If the administration feels the need to modify any hostel rules, it will be done in consultation with the Board of Students and Student Affairs Council (SAC).” If students had any grievance over cutting of Internet of the mandatory 85% attendance in an academic year, they could take it up through the redressal mechanisms in place – starting with students’ secretaries, all the way up to the deans and director. “Professor Bhaskar was of the view that the media had published reports on the basis of partial or incorrect information,” a faculty member who received the e-mail said.