DU warns DUCSU against 'unauthorised activities', rejects ‘dual administration’

The University of Dhaka (DU) administration has warned the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) against taking any initiatives outside the university’s laws, regulations and administrative framework, stressing that there is no scope for establishing a “parallel administration” on campus.

In a statement published on its official Facebook page on Sunday, the university said several recent reports concerning DUCSU had come to its attention and that some of its activities were not consistent with the university’s existing rules and institutional procedures.

The university said its administration supports the spirit of the July Mass Uprising and had inaugurated the foundation stone of a July Memorial at Mall Chattar on August 5 to preserve its memory. The foundation stone was inaugurated by the vice-chancellor in the presence of members of the university community and families of those killed during the uprising.

However, the university said DUCSU had installed a memorial titled “Nirbhik July” beside the DUCSU building near the Arts Faculty and in front of the Central Library without permission from or consultation with the university syndicate or the vice-chancellor.

Citing Article 24(a) of the Dhaka University Order, 1973, the university said the syndicate is responsible for supervising, maintaining and controlling university property.

It also cited Chapter XIV, Section 4 of the Dhaka University Ordinances and Regulations, saying decisions taken by the students’ union are subject to the direction of the vice-chancellor.

The university therefore described the installation of the “Nirbhik July” memorial as beyond DUCSU’s authority under its existing rules.

The administration also objected to the display of photographs of former Pakistan Governor-General Muhammad Ali Jinnah and former student leader Abdul Malek at the DUCSU museum.

The university said displaying photographs of individuals it considers inconsistent with the history of the Language Movement and Bangladesh’s Liberation War was unacceptable and warned that administrative action would be taken against those responsible in accordance with university rules.

The university also criticised DUCSU for launching a website to evaluate teachers without its approval.

It said teacher evaluation is an important academic and institutional matter and cannot be conducted through a separate system introduced independently by an individual, organisation or student body.

According to the university, the website also made teachers’ personal information publicly accessible, which it described as a punishable offence under the law.

Dhaka University said it already has an approved policy for teaching evaluation, which was approved at the highest level of the university and is currently being implemented.

The university said any separate teacher evaluation system outside the approved policy was unacceptable and could damage the institution’s reputation.

It further stressed that DUCSU, while being an important student representative body, must conduct all its activities within the university’s laws, regulations, policies and administrative structure.

“There is no scope for establishing any kind of dual administration at the university,” the administration said, warning that any attempt to bypass university authorities and establish a parallel structure or process would be strictly resisted.

It warned that those involved in constructing unauthorised structures or introducing separate administrative mechanisms would face action under the university’s existing rules.