Chapter IV Chapter IV

Authorities of the University

Authorities of the University.- The following shall be authorities of the University, namely:-

1. (i) the Senate;
2. (ii) the Syndicate;
3. (iii) the Academic Council;
4. (iv) the Faculties;
5. (v) the Boards of Studies;
6. (vi) the Students' Council;
7. (vii) the Finance Committee; and
8. (viii) such other Boards or Bodies of the University as may be declared by the Statutes to be authorities of the University.

Senate.- The Senate shall consist of the following members, namely:-

Ex-Officio Members

1. (1) The Chancellor.
2. (2) The Pro-Chancellor.
3. (3) The Vice-Chancellor.
4. (4) The Pro-Vice-Chancellor.
5. (5) The Finance Secretary to Government or an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary nominated by him.
6. (6) The Director of Public Instruction.
7. (7) The Director of Collegiate Education. [9][(8) The Secretary to Government or the Additional Secretary to Government, General Education Department, to be nominated by the Government.
8. (9) The Secretary to Government or the Additional Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, to be nominated by the Government.] [10][(9a) The Secretary to Government, Information Technology Department or an officer of the Information Technology Department not below the rank of Joint Secretary, nominated by him.]
9. (10) The Director of Technical Education.
10. (11) The Chairman, State Advisory Board of Education.
11. (12) The Mayor of Trivandrum.
12. (13) Seven Heads of University departments who are not otherwise members of the Senate, to be nominated in the order of seniority by the Chancellor by rotation.
13. (14) Four Deans of the Faculties of the University who are not otherwise members of the Senate, to be nominated in the order of seniority by the Chancellor by rotation.
14. (15) The Chairman of the University Union. Elected Members
15. (1) Seven Principals elected from among themselves, of whom two shall be from among Principals of Government Colleges, one from among Principals of professional colleges and one from among Principals of junior colleges. [11][**********]
16. (3) Six members elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly of Kerala from among the members representing electorate of the University area, of whom one shall be a member of a Scheduled Caste.
17. (4) Three members elected by the Teachers of the University from among themselves.
18. (5) Five members elected by the Teachers of Government Colleges from among themselves.
19. (6) Sixteen members elected by the Teachers of Private Colleges from among themselves.
20. (7) One member elected by the members of the local authorities of each District in the University area from among themselves.
21. (8) Two members elected by the registered Trade Unions in the University area designated by Statutes, from among their members.
22. (9) One member elected by the members of the non-teaching staff of the University from among themselves.
23. (10) Three members elected by the members of the non-teaching staff of the affiliated colleges from among themselves, of whom one shall be a member of the non-teaching staff of a Government College.
24. (11) Four members elected by the managers of the private colleges in the University area from among themselves.
25. (12) Ten members elected by the members of the General Council of the University Union from among full-time students, of whom one shall be a post graduate student, one shall be a research scholar, one shall be the student of a professional college and one shall be a lady student. Life members Persons who were life members of the Senate of the Kerala University immediately before the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to be life members of the Senate under this Act. Other Members
26. (1) Two headmasters of High Schools and two Teachers of Schools, situated within the University area, nominated by the Chancellor.
27. (2) Not more than nine members nominated by the Chancellor representing
    • (i) recognized research institutions;
    • (ii) recognized cultural associations;
    • (iii) chambers of commerce;
    • (iv) industries;
    • (v) authors;
    • (vi) journalists;
    • (vii) lawyers;
    • (viii) sports; and
    • (ix) linguistic minorities.
28. (3) Four students nominated by the Chancellor, one having outstanding academic ability in humanities, one having outstanding ability in science, one having outstanding ability in sports and one having outstanding ability in fine arts. [(4) Not more than four experts nominated by the Government from the fields of Information Technology and Bio-technology.][12]

Reconstitution of the Senate .-

1. (1) The Senate shall be reconstituted every four years.
2. (2) The term of office of any member referred to in items
3. (13) and
4. (14) under the heading "Ex-Officio Members" in section 17 shall be two years from the date of his nomination.
5. (3) Every member of the Senate, other than ex-officio and life-members, shall subject to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes, hold office until the next reconstitution of the Senate. Provided that no member nominated or elected in his capacity as a member of a particular Body or as the holder of a particular office shall hold office for a longer period than three months after he has ceased to be such member or holder of such office, unless in the meanwhile he again becomes a member of that electorate: Provided further that where an elected or nominated member of the Senate is appointed temporarily to any office, by virtue of which he is entitled to be a member of the Senate ex-officio, he shall, by notice in writing signed by him and communicated to the Vice-Chancellor within seven days from the date of his taking charge of his appointment, choose whether he will continue to be a member of the Senate by virtue of his election or nomination or whether he will vacate office as such member and become a member ex-officio by virtue of his appointment, and such choice shall be final: Provided also that the term of office of a member referred to in item
6. (1) under the heading "Elected Members" in section 17 or a member referred to in item
7. (3) under the heading "Other Members" in that section shall be one year from the date of his election or nomination, as the case may be. [13][(3A) Notwithstanding anything contained in the first proviso to sub-section (3); a principal elected under item (1), or a teacher of a Government college elected under item (5), or a teacher of a private college elected under item (6), or a member of the non-teaching staff of an affiliated college elected under item (10), under the heading "Elected Members" in section 17 shall not cease to be a member of the Senate merely on the ground-
   • (a) that he has been transferred to an educational institution within the State, situated beyond the territorial limits of the University ; or
   • (b) that the college of which he is the principal or in which he is a teacher or a member of the non-teaching staff has been transferred to another University; or
   • (c) in the case of a teacher, that he has been promoted as principal.] [14][(3B) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in the Statutes, no person elected under item
8. (2) under the heading "Elected Members" in section 17 shall cease to be a member of the Senate merely on the ground that he has ceased to be employed or normally resident within the territorial limits of the University.]
9. (4) On failure of a member to make the choice under the second proviso to sub-section (3), he shall be deemed to have vacated his office as an elected or nominated member.
10. (5) When a person ceases to be a member of the Senate, he shall cease to be a member of any of the authorities of the University of which he may happen to be a member by virtue of his membership of the Senate.

Powers and functions of the Senate.-

1. (1) The Senate shall be the supreme authority of the University and shall have the power to review the action of the Syndicate and the Academic Council save where the Syndicate or the Academic Council has acted in accordance with the powers conferred upon it under this Act, the Statutes, the Ordinances or the Regulations, and shall exercise all the powers of the University not otherwise provided for by this Act or the Statutes: Provided that if any question arises as to whether the Syndicate or the Academic Council has acted in accordance with such powers as aforesaid or not, the question shall be decided by the Chancellor and his decision shall be final.
2. (2) Save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, the Senate shall have the following powers, namely:-
   • (a) to determine what degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions shall be granted by the University;
   • (b) to make, amend or repeal Statutes either of its own motion or on the motion of the Syndicate;
   • (c) to cancel or amend by a majority of the total membership of the Senate and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting, any Ordinance passed by the Syndicate or any Regulation passed by the Academic Council: Provided that no Regulation shall be cancelled or amended by the Senate without giving the Academic Council an opportunity to state its opinion on the proposed cancellation or amendment;
   • (d) to institute fellowships, scholarships, studentships, bursaries, medals and prizes and organize exhibitions in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations;
   • (e) to institute professorships, readerships, lecturerships, and such other teaching or research posts as it may deem necessary;
   • (f) to establish and maintain such institutions, as it may from time to time deem necessary;
   • (g) to prescribe with the previous concurrence of the Government the terms and conditions of service of the employees of the University;
   • (h) with the previous concurrence of the Government, to regulate the emoluments and prescribe the duties and conditions of service of teachers and non-teaching staff in private colleges;
     • (i) to review and take such action as it may deem fit on the annual report and the annual accounts of the University which shall be placed before it by the Syndicate and to consider and pass the budget according to the provisions of the Statutes;
   • (j) to cancel any degree, diploma, title or any other distinction granted to any person in accordance with the provisions of the Statutes;
   • (k) to appoint Committees and to delegate to them such functions of the Senate as it may deem fit;
   • (l) to make Statutes regulating the method of election to the authorities of the University, the procedure at the meetings of the Senate, the Syndicate and other authorities of the University and the quorum of members required for the transaction of business by the authorities of the University other than the Senate;
   • (m) to recommend to the Government the recognition of any local area within the University area as a University Centre;
   • (n) to co-operate with other Universities and other authorities in such manner and for such purposes as it may determine;
   • (o) to exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be assigned to it by this Act and the Statutes.

Meeting of the Senate. -

1. (1) The Senate shall meet at least once in four months on dates to be fixed by the Vice-Chancellor, and one of such meetings shall be called the annual meeting.
2. (2) One-fifth of the total number of members of the Senate shall be the quorum for a meeting of the Senate: Provided that such quorum shall not be required for a Convocation of the University or a meeting of the Senate held for the purpose of conferring degrees, titles, diplomas or other distinctions.
3. (3) The Vice-Chancellor may, whenever he thinks fit and shall, within thirty days of the receipt of a requisition in writing signed by not less than one-fourth of the total number of members of the Senate, convene a special meeting of the Senate.
4. (4) When a special meeting is convened on requisition, no subject other than that shown in the requisition shall be considered at the meeting.

The Syndicate.-The Syndicate shall be the Chief Executive body of the University and shall consist of the following members, namely:-

Ex-officio Members

1. (a) The Vice-Chancellor.
2. (b) The Pro-Vice-Chancellor
3. (c) The Secretary to Government, Higher Education or an officer not below the rank of a Joint Secretary nominated by him.
4. (d) The Director of Public Instruction.
5. (e) The Director of Collegiate Education.
6. (f) The Secretary to Government, Information Technology Department or an officer of the Information Technology Department not below the rank of a Joint Secretary, nominated by him. Other Members
7. (a) Thirteen members elected by the Senate from among themselves, of whom
   • (i) seven shall be persons who are not teachers, of whom one shall be a person belonging to a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe.
   • (ii) two shall be Principals of first grade colleges, of whom one shall be the principal of a Government College, and
   • (iii) four shall be teachers who are not Principals, of whom one shall be a University teacher and one shall be a teacher of a Government College.
8. (b) One member elected by the Senate from among the members referred to -
   • (i) in item

1. (15) under the heading "Ex-officio Members";
   • (ii) in item
2. (12) under the heading "Elected Members"; and
   • (iii) in item
3. (3) under the heading "Other Members"; in section 17.
   • (c) The members referred to in item
4. (4) under the heading "Other Members" in section 17, nominated by Government

Term of office of members of Syndicate.-

1. (1) Members of the Syndicate other than ex-officio members, shall hold office for a term of four years from the date of their election or nomination, as the case may be: Provided that no person elected in his capacity as a member of a particular body or as the holder of a particular office shall be a member of the Syndicate for a longer period than three months after he has ceased to be such member or holder of such office unless in the meanwhile he again becomes a member of that electorate or the holder of that office: Provided further that the member referred to in item
   • (b) under the heading "Other Members" in section 21 shall hold office for a period of one year from the date of his election or till he ceases to be a member of the Senate, whichever is earlier: Provided also that the term of the Syndicate shall be co-terminus with the term of the Senate. Provided also that no person other than an ex-officio member shall be eligible to hold office for more than two terms in succession.
2. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the first proviso to sub-section (1), a member of the Syndicate referred to in sub-item
   • (ii) of item
   • (a) under the heading "Other Members" in section 21, or referred to in sub-item
     • (iii) of that item who is a teacher of a private college or a Government college, shall not cease to be such member merely on the ground that-
   • (a) he has been transferred to an educational institution within the State, situated beyond the territorial limits of the University; or
   • (b) the college of which he is the principal or in which he is a teacher or a member of the non-teaching staff has been transferred to another University; or
   • (c) in the case of a teacher, he has been promoted as principal.

Powers of Syndicate.- Subject to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes, the executive powers of the University including the general superintendence and control over the institutions of the University shall be vested in the Syndicate and subject likewise the Syndicate shall have the following powers, namely:-

1. (i) to affiliate institutions in accordance with the terms and conditions of such affiliation prescribed in this Act and the Statutes;
2. (ii) to make Ordinances and to amend or repeal the same;
3. (iii) to propose Statutes for the consideration of the Senate;
4. (iv) to hold, control and administer the properties and funds of the University;
5. (v) to direct the form, custody and use of the common seal of the University;
6. (vi) to arrange for and direct the inspection of colleges, hostels and other institutions and to constitute a Board of Inspection for that purpose;
7. (vii) to establish, maintain and manage colleges and institutes of research and other institutions of higher learning as it may from time to time deem necessary;
8. (viii) to appoint teachers and other employees of the University and prescribe their duties;
9. (ix) to create administrative, ministerial and other necessary posts;
10. (x) to suspend, discharge, dismiss or otherwise take any disciplinary action against teachers and other employees of the University after giving them reasonable opportunity to defend their position;
11. (xi) with the previous sanction of the Government, to fix and regulate the fee payable by students in colleges affiliated to the University;
12. (xii) to award fellowships, scholarships, studentships, bursaries, medals and prizes;
13. (xiii) to exercise supervision and control over the residence and discipline of students;
14. (xiv) to consider to financial estimates of the University and submit them to the Senate in accordance with the provisions of the Statutes made in this behalf;
15. (xv) to conduct University Examinations and approve and publish the results thereof;
16. (xvi) to appoint members to the Boards of Studies;
17. (xvii) to approve panel of examiners and to fix their remuneration; (xviii) to approve the appointment of teachers in private colleges;
18. (xix) to delegate any of its powers to the Vice-Chancellor or to a committee appointed from among its members;
19. (xx) to arrange for and direct the investigation into the affairs of private colleges, to issue instructions for maintaining their efficiency, for ensuring proper conditions of employment of members of their staff and payment of adequate salaries to them, and in case of disregard of such instructions to modify the conditions of affiliation or recognition or take such other steps as it deems proper in that behalf;

1. (xxi) to withhold or cancel the result of any candidate at any University examination;
2. (xxii) to accept endowments, bequests, donations and transfers of any movable and immovable properties to the University on its behalf, provided that all such endowments, bequests, donations and transfer shall be reported to the Senate at its next meetings; (xxiii) to exercise the powers of the University under clause (xxvii) of section 5;
3. (xxiv) to exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this Act, the Statutes, the Ordinances, the Rules, the bye-laws and the orders.

Special power of the Syndicate.- Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the Syndicate shall exercise all the powers and perform all the functions of the Senate except the power of review under sub-section

1. (1) of section 19 till the reconstitution of the Senate.

The Academic Council.-

1. (1) The Academic Council shall be the academic body of the University.
2. (2) The Academic Council shall, subject to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes, have the control and general regulation, and be responsible for the maintenance of standards, of instruction, education and examinations within the University, and shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be conferred or imposed upon it by the Statutes.
3. (3) The Academic Council shall consist of the following members, namely:-
   • (a) the Vice-Chancellor;
   • (b) the Pro-Vice-Chancellor;
   • (c) the Director of Public Instruction;
   • (d) the Director of Technical Education;
   • (e) the Director of Collegiate Education;
   • (f) the Director of Research and Studies;
   • (g) the Director of Physical Education;
   • (h) the Deans of Faculties;
     • (i) the General Secretary of the University Union;
   • (j) all the Heads of University Departments of study and research, who are not Deans of Faculties;
   • (k) all members of the Syndicate who are not otherwise members of the Academic Council;
   • (l) five members (other than Deans of Faculties) of whom at least one shall be a principal of a Government professional college, elected by the principals of professional colleges from among themselves;
   • (m) seven members (other than Deans of Faculties) of whom at least one shall be a principal of a Government college, elected by the principals of first grade colleges, other than colleges of oriental languages, from among themselves;
   • (n) two members (other than Deans of Faculties) elected by the principals of junior colleges from among themselves;
   • (o) one principal of a college of oriental languages, not being a Dean of Faculty, nominated by the Chancellor by rotation according to seniority;
   • (p) one member each of every subject of study ( not being a Dean of Faculty or head of a University department or principal) elected by the teachers of that subject from among themselves;
   • (q) one headmaster and one teacher of secondary school in the University area nominated by the Chancellor;
   • (r) one member representing each faculty, elected by the full-time post graduate students of the faculty from among themselves; five external experts to be nominated by the Chancellor.
4. (4) Members of the Academic Council, other than the members specified in clauses
   • (a) to
   • (g) of sub-section
5. (3) shall hold office for a term of four years from the date of their appointment or nomination, as the case may be:

Powers and duties of Academic Council Powers and duties of Academic Council.- Subject to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes, the Academic Council shall have the following powers, duties and functions, namely:-

1. (i) to advise the Senate and the Syndicate on all academic matters;
2. (ii) to make Regulations and to amend or repeal the same;
3. (iii) to prescribe the courses of studies in the institutions maintained by, or affiliated to, the University;
4. (iv) to prescribe the qualifications of teachers-

1. (a) in colleges; and
2. (b) in the institutions maintained by the University;
   • (v) to prescribe the qualifications for the admission of students to the various courses of studies and to the examinations and the conditions under which exemptions may be granted;
   • (vi) to make provision for the admission of students to the various courses of studies on the basis of merit, in order to maintain standards of education;
   • (vii) to make proposals for the instruction and training in such branches of learning as it may think fit;
   • (viii) to make proposals for research and advancement and dissemination of knowledge;
   • (ix) to make proposals for the institution of professorships, readerships, lecturerships and other teaching and research posts required by the University;
   • (x) to make proposals for the institution of fellowships, traveling fellowships, scholarships, studentships, medals and prizes;
   • (xi) to make proposals for determining what degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions shall be granted by the University;
   • (xii) to decide what examinations of other Universities may be accepted as equivalent to those of the University and to negotiate with other Universities for the recognition of the examinations of the University;
   • (xiii) to arrange for the co-ordination of studies and teaching in affiliated colleges and recognized institutions;
   • (xiv) to exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be conferred or imposed on it by this Act or the Statutes, Ordinances, Regulations, Rules or bye-laws.

Faculties.-

1. (1) The University may have such faculties as may be prescribed by the Statutes from time to time.
2. (2) Each faculty shall, subject to the control of the Academic Council have charge of the teaching and the courses of study and research in such subjects as may be assigned to such faculty by the Ordinances or Regulations.
3. (3) Each faculty shall consist of:
   • (a) the Chairman of the Boards of Studies comprised in the faculty;
   • (b) two members elected from each Board of Studies; and
   • (c) not less than five and more than ten members nominated by the Syndicate;
4. (4) Each faculty shall comprise such departments of teaching as may be prescribed by the Ordinances.
5. (5) Subject to the provisions of this Act, each faculty shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Statutes.
6. (6) The members of faculties mentioned in sub-clause
7. (3) shall hold office for a period of three years from their date of nomination or election as the case may be.

Deans of faculties.- [25][(1) There shall be a Dean of each faculty , who shall be nominated by the Chancellor in consultation with the Vice-Chancellor.]

1. (2) The Dean of each faculty shall be responsible for the due observance of the Statutes, Ordinances, Regulations and bye-laws relating to that faculty.
2. (3) The Dean of a faculty shall hold office for a term of two years and shall be eligible for [re-nomination.][26]

Boards of Studies.-

1. (1) There shall be a Board of Studies attached to each department of study in the University: Provided however that post-graduate studies in each department may have separate Board of Studies.
2. (2) The constitution and powers of the Boards of Studies shall be prescribed by the Statutes.
3. (3) Members of Boards of Studies shall hold office for a period of three years from the date of their entering into office.

Students' Council.-

1. (1) There shall be a Students' Council in the University.
2. (2) The Students' Council shall consist of the following members, namely:- Ex-officio Members
   • (a) The Vice-Chancellor who shall be the Chairman of the Council.
   • (b) The Chairman of the University Union.
   • (c) The General Secretary of the University Union.
   • (d) The Director, National Cadet Corps.
   • (e) The Officer-in-charge of the National Service Scheme in the University.
   • (f) The Director of Physical Education.
   • (g) The Director of Youth Affairs who shall be the Vice-Chairman of the Council. Elected Members
   • (a) Ten members, not being members of the Senate or the Academic Council, elected by the members of the General Council of the University Union from among themselves, of whom two shall be women.
   • (b) Three members elected from among the full time students of the departments of the University in such manner as may be prescribed.
   • (c) Two members, other than students, elected by the members of the Senate from among themselves.
   • (d) One member elected by the members of the Syndicate from among themselves.
   • (e) One member elected by the members of the Academic Council from among themselves. Other Members Five students who have distinguished themselves in academic field sports or fine arts, nominated by the Vice-Chancellor after giving due consideration to the representation of special interest.
3. (3) A member nominated by the Vice-Chancellor in consultation with the Chairman of the University Union from among the elected Student members of the Council shall be the Secretary to the Council.
4. (4) The members of the Students' Council other than ex-officio members shall hold office for a term of one year from the date of their election or nomination, as the case may be.

Powers and duties of Students' Council.-

1. (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes, the Students' Council shall have the following powers, duties and functions, namely:-
   • (a) to make recommendations to the Syndicate and to the Academic Council in matters affecting the academic work of the students, such as the structure of courses and pattern of instruction, the corporate life of the University in so far as it concerns the students, and the co-curricular and extra-curricular activities in the University;
   • (b) to make suggestions to the Syndicate and the Academic Council in respect of all rules relating to discipline or welfare of the students, sports, working of literary and other societies, management of hostels, student homes and non-resident student centres, extension work, social work, students' health, National Service Scheme and National Cadet Corps and such other matters as may be specified in the Statutes;
   • (c) to communicate its views, observations and recommendations to any authority of the University in respect of any matter which concerns the students: Provided that if any question arises as to whether a matter does or does not concern the students, the question shall be decided by the Chairman of the Students' Council and his decision shall be final;
   • (d) to take such steps as are necessary for the general welfare of students;
   • (e) to exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be conferred or imposed on it by this Act or the Statutes, Ordinances or Regulations.
2. (2) The Vice-Chancellor shall cause to be laid before the Senate and the Students' Council in such manner as may be prescribed by the Statutes, periodical reports detailing the recommendations and suggestions made by the Students' Council and the action taken thereon by the authorities to which such recommendations and suggestions were made.

Finance Committee.-

1. (1) There shall be a Finance Committee to give advice to the University on any question affecting its finances.
2. (2) The Finance Committee shall consist of the following members, namely:-
   • (a) the Vice-Chancellor who shall be the Chairman;
   • (b) the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, if any;
   • (c) one member elected by the members of the Senate from among themselves;
   • (d) one member elected by the members of the Syndicate from among themselves;
   • (e) one member elected by the members of the Academic Council from among themselves;
   • (f) the Finance Secretary to Government or an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary nominated by him;
   • (g) the Secretary to government, Higher Education or an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary nominated by him.
3. (3) The Finance Officer shall be the Secretary of the Finance Committee.
4. (4) The powers and functions of the Finance Committee and its procedure in financial matters, including the delegation of its powers, shall be prescribed by the Statutes.

Other authorities of University.- The constitution, powers and duties of such other authorities as may be declared by the Statutes to the authorities of the University, shall be prescribed by the Statutes.

Disqualifications for membership.-

1. (1) No person shall be qualified for election or nomination or appointment as a member of any of the authorities of the University or for continuing as such member, if he-
   • (a) is below twenty-five years of age; or
   • (b) is of unsound mind or a deaf-mute; or
   • (c) is an undischarged insolvent; or
   • (d) has been convicted by a court of law of an offence involving moral delinquency; or
   • (e) has been debarred by any University from appearing in examinations, for malpractices in connection with any examination: Provided that clause
   • (a) shall not apply to a person elected or nominated in the capacity of a student to any of the said authorities: Provided further that the disqualification of a person under clause
   • (e) shall cease on the expiry of the period for which he has been debarred.
2. (2) If any question arises as to whether any person is disqualified under sub-section (1), the question shall be referred to the Chancellor and his decision thereon shall be final.