Chapter IV AUTHORITIES OF UNIVERSITY

The authorities of the University shall be the Syndicate, the Academic Council, the Faculties, the Finance Committee, the Board of Studies and such other bodies of the University as may, from time to time, be declared by the statutes to be authorities of the University.

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1. (1) The Chancellor shall, as soon as may be, after the first Vice-Chancellor is appointed under section 52, constitute the Syndicate.
2. (2) The Syndicate shall, in addition to the Vice-Chancellor, consist of the following members, namely:- Class I—Ex-Officio Members.
   • (a) The Secretary to Government, in-charge of Culture;
   • (b) The Secretary to Government, in-charge of Finance Department;
   • (c) The Secretary to Government, in-charge of Law Department;
   • (d) Commissioner of Art and Culture. Class II—Other Members.
   • (a) Two members nominated by the Chancellor from among eminent educationists in the field of music, fine arts, performing arts and other related professions;
   • (b) Six persons nominated by the Chancellor on the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor from amongst eminent persons in the field of music, fine arts and performing arts, educationists or awardees in music, fine arts and performing arts or persons from other professions;
   • (c) Principals of the Colleges specified in the Schedule;
   • (d) One member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly nominated by the Chancellor on the recommendation of the Government.
3. (3) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex-officio Chairperson of the Syndicate. (4)
   • (a) In case the Secretary to Government in-charge of Culture or the Secretary to Government in-charge of Finance Department or the Secretary to Government in-charge of Law Department, is unable to attend the meetings of the Syndicate, for any reason, he may depute any officer of his department, not below the rank of Deputy Secretary to Government to attend the meetings. The officer so deputed shall have the right to take part in the discussion of the meeting and shall have the right to vote.
   • (b) In case the Commissioner of Art and Culture is unable to attend the meetings of the Syndicate for any reason, he may depute any officer of his department, not below the rank of Joint Commissioner, to attend the meetings. The officer so deputed shall have the right to take part in the discussion of the meeting and shall have the right to vote. (5)
   • (a) Save as otherwise provided, the members of the Syndicate, other than the ex-officio members, shall hold office for a period of three years and such members shall be eligible for nomination for another period of three years;
   • (b) Where a member is nominated to the Syndicate in a casual vacancy, the period of office for not less than one year by any such member shall be construed as a full period of three years: Provided that a member of the Syndicate who is nominated in his capacity as a member of a particular body, or the holder of a particular appointment, shall cease to be a member of the Syndicate from the date on which he ceases to be a member of that body, or the holder of that appointment, as the case may be: Provided further that where a nominated member of the Syndicate is appointed temporarily to any of the offices by virtue of which he is entitled to be a member of the Syndicate 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 Syndicate by virtue of his nomination or whether he will vacate office as such member and become a member ex-officio by virtue of his appointment and the choice shall be conclusive. On failure to make such a choice, he shall be deemed to have vacated his office as a nominated member.
4. (6) When a person ceases to be a member of the Syndicate, 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 Syndicate.
5. (7) The members of the Syndicate shall not be entitled to receive any remuneration from the University except such daily and travelling allowances as may be prescribed: Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall preclude any member from drawing his normal emoluments to which he is entitled by virtue of the office he holds.
6. (8) A member of the Syndicate, other than ex-officio member, may tender resignation of his membership at any time before the term of his office expires.

Powers of Syndicate

1. (1) The Syndicate shall have the following powers, namely:-
   • (a) to make statutes and amend or repeal the same;
   • (b) to co-operate with other Universities, other academic authorities and colleges in such manner and for such purposes as it may determine;
   • (c) to provide for instruction and training in such branches of learning as it may think fit;
   • (d) to provide for research and advancement and dissemination of knowledge;
   • (e) to institute Assistant Professorships, Associate Professorships, Professorships and any other teaching or research posts required by the University;
   • (f) to provide for such lectures and instructions for students, as the Academic Council may determine;
   • (g) to institute degrees, titles, diplomas and other academic distinctions;
   • (h) to confer degrees, titles, diplomas and other academic distinctions on persons who–
     • (i) have pursued an approved course of study in the University or have been exempted therefrom in the manner prescribed and have passed the prescribed examinations of the University;
     • (ii) have carried on research under conditions prescribed;
     • (i) to confer honorary degrees or academic distinctions on the recommendations of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Syndicate;
   • (j) to establish and maintain hostels;
   • (k) to institute fellowships, travelling fellowships, scholarships, studentships, exhibitions, medals and prizes;
   • (l) to prescribe the fees to be charged for admission to the examinations, degrees, titles and diplomas of the University and for all or any of the purposes specified in section 5;
   • (m) to consider and take such action as it may deem fit on the annual report, the annual accounts and the financial estimates;
   • (n) to institute publication bureau, students’ unions, employment bureau and University athletic clubs and to maintain them;
   • (o) to enter into any agreement with the Central or any State Government or with a private management for any purposes not repugnant to the provisions of this Act;
   • (p) to make statutes regulating the procedure at the meeting of the Syndicate, Academic Council and other authorities of the University and quorum of members required for the transaction of business by the authorities of the University other than the Academic Council;
   • (q) to hold, control and administer the properties and funds of the University;
   • (r) to direct the form, custody and use of the common seal of the University; to regulate and determine all matters concerning the University in accordance with this Act, the statutes and the regulations;
   • (t) to administer all properties and funds placed at the disposal of the University for specific purposes; (u)
     • (i) to appoint the Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, Professors and the teachers of the University, fix their emoluments, if any, define their duties and the conditions of their services and provide for filling up of temporary vacancies;
     • (ii) to prescribe the mode of appointment of administrative and other similar posts and fix their emoluments, if any, define their duties and the conditions of their services and provide for filling up of temporary vacancies;
     • (v) to suspend and take disciplinary action on the Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, Professors and the Teachers and other employees of the University;
   • (w) to accept, on behalf of the University, endowments, bequests, donations, grants and transfers of any movable and immovable properties made to it; (x)
     • (i) to raise, on behalf of the University, loans from the Central or any State Government or the public or any corporation owned or controlled by the Central or any State Government; and
     • (ii) to borrow money, with the approval of the Government, on the security of the property of the University for the purposes of the University;
   • (y) to prescribe the qualifications of teachers of the University;
   • (z) to award fellowships, travelling fellowships, scholarships, studentships, exhibitions, medals and prizes in accordance with the statutes;
   • (aa) to charge and collect such fees as may be prescribed;
   • (ab) to conduct the University examinations and approve and publish the results thereof;
   • (ac) to make statutes regarding the admission of students to the University or prescribing examinations to be recognised as equivalent to University examinations;
   • (ad) to appoint members to the Board of Studies; (ae)
     • (i) to appoint examiners, after consideration of the recommendation of the Board of Studies; and
     • (ii) to fix their remuneration;
   • (af) to supervise and control the residence and discipline of the students of the University departments and make arrangements for securing their health and well-being;
   • (ag) to institute and manage University centres, laboratories, libraries, museums, institutes of research and other institutions established or maintained by the University;
   • (ah) to manage hostels instituted by the University;
   • (ai) to manage any publication bureau, students’ unions, employment bureau and University athletic clubs instituted by the University;
   • (aj) to review the instruction and teaching of the University;
   • (ak) to promote research within the University and to require reports, from time to time, of such research;
   • (al) to exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be conferred or imposed on it by this Act or the statutes and regulations; and
   • (am) to delegate any of its powers to the Vice-Chancellor, to a committee from among its own members or to a committee appointed in accordance with the statutes.
2. (2) The Syndicate may consult the Academic Council in respect of any matter where it considers such consultation is necessary.

1. (1) The Syndicate shall meet at least once in every two months at such time and places and shall, subject to the provisions of sub-sections
2. (2) and (3), observe such rules of procedure in regard to transaction of business at its meetings as may be prescribed.
3. (2) One-third of the total strength of the members of the Syndicate shall be the quorum required for a meeting of the Syndicate.
4. (3) The Vice-Chancellor or in his absence any member chosen by the members present, shall preside at a meeting of the Syndicate.
5. (4) All questions at any meeting of the Syndicate shall be decided by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting and in the case of an equality of votes, the Vice-Chancellor or the member presiding, as the case may be, shall have and exercise a second or casting vote. (5)
   • (a) The Syndicate may, for the purpose of consultation, invite any person having special knowledge or practical experience in any subject under consideration to attend any meeting. Such person may speak in, and otherwise take part in, the proceedings of such meeting but shall not be entitled to vote.
   • (b) The person so invited shall be entitled to such daily and travelling allowances as are admissible to a member of the Syndicate.

1. (1) The Academic Council shall consist of the following members, namely:- Class I—Ex-Officio Members.
   • (a) The Vice-Chancellor;
   • (b) The Commissioner of Art and Culture;
   • (c) The Deans of faculties;
   • (d) Director of Libraries;
   • (e) Principals of all Government Music Colleges;
   • (f) Principals of all Government College of Fine Arts;
   • (g) Principal of Government College of Architecture and Sculpture, Mamallapuram; Class II—Other Members. Eight persons nominated by the Vice-Chancellor who are known for their outstanding contribution in the field of music, fine arts and performing arts.
2. (2) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex-officio Chairperson of, and the Registrar shall be the ex-officio Secretary to the Academic Council. (3)
   • (a) Save as otherwise provided, nominated member of the Academic Council shall hold office for a period of three years and such member shall be eligible for nomination for not more than another period of three years;
   • (b) Where a member is nominated to the Academic Council to a casual vacancy, the period of office held for not less than one year by any such member shall be construed as a full period of three years for the purpose of this clause: Provided that a member of the Academic council who is nominated in his capacity as a member of a particular body, or the holder of a particular appointment, shall cease to be a member of the Academic council from the date on which he ceases to be, a member of that body or the holder of that appointment, as the case may be: Provided further that where a nominated member of the Academic Council is appointed temporarily to any of the office by virtue of which he is entitled to be a member of the Academic Council 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 shall continue to be member of the Academic Council by virtue of his nomination or he shall vacate office as such member and become a member ex-officio by virtue of his appointment and the choice, shall be conclusive. On failure to make such a choice he shall be deemed to have vacated his office as a nominated member.
3. (4) When a person ceases to be a member of the Academic Council, he shall cease to be 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 Academic Council.
4. (5) The members of the Academic Council shall not be entitled to receive any remuneration from the University except such daily and travelling allowances as may be prescribed: Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall preclude any member from drawing his normal emoluments to which he is entitled by virtue of the office he holds.
5. (6) A member of the Academic Council, other than ex-officio member, may tender resignation of his membership at any time before the term of his office expires. Such resignation shall be conveyed to the Chancellor by a letter in writing by the member and the resignation shall take effect from the date of its acceptance by the Chancellor.

1. (1) The Academic Council shall be the principal academic body of the University and shall, subject to the provisions of this Act and the statutes, have the control and general regulation of teaching and examination in the University and be responsible for the maintenance of the standards thereon.
2. (2) The powers and duties of the Academic Council shall be,-
   • (a) to exercise general control on teaching and other educational programmes and maintain and promote the standards thereof;
   • (b) to make regulations and amend or repeal the same;
   • (c) to make regulations-
     • (i) regarding the admission of students to the University and the number of students to be admitted;
     • (ii) regarding the courses of study leading to degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions;
     • (iii) regarding the conduct of examinations and maintenance and promotion of standards of education;
     • (iv) prescribing equivalence of examinations, degrees, titles, diplomas and certificates of other Universities, Colleges, Institutions and Boards;
     • (v) for the assessment, evaluation and grading of students’ performance;
   • (d) to advise the Syndicate on all academic matters including the control and management of libraries;
   • (e) to make recommendations to the Syndicate for the institution of Assistant Professorship, Associate Professorship, Professorship and other teaching posts including posts in research and in regard to the duties and emoluments thereof;
   • (f) to formulate, modify or revise schemes for the constitution or reconstitution of departments of teaching and research;
   • (g) to make recommendations to the Syndicate regarding under graduate and post-graduate teaching and research;
   • (h) to make recommendations to the Syndicate for the conferment of honorary degrees or other distinctions;
     • (i) to review and act upon the proposals of Board of Studies in formulating rules, regulations, syllabi and methods of evaluation, introduction of new courses and modification of existing courses;
   • (j) to make recommendations to the Syndicate regarding institution of fellowships and scholarships;
   • (k) to recommend to the Syndicate measures for promoting collaboration between industries and Government employers on the one hand and the University on the other;
   • (l) to delegate to the Vice-Chancellor or to any of the committees of the Academic Council, any of its powers;
   • (m) to assess and make recommendations laying down standards of accommodation, equipment, apparatus, library, maintenance and other physical facilities required for each faculty; and
   • (n) to exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed.

1. (1) The Academic Council shall meet at least twice in every year on dates to be fixed by the Vice-Chancellor. One of such meetings shall be called the annual meeting. The Academic Council may also meet at such other dates as it may, from time to time, determine.
2. (2) One-third of the total strength of the members of the Academic Council shall be the quorum required for a meeting of the Academic Council: Provided that such quorum shall not be required at a convocation of the University, or a meeting of the Academic Council held for the purpose of conferring degrees, titles, diplomas or other academic distinctions.
3. (3) The Vice-Chancellor may, whenever he thinks fit, and shall upon a requisition in writing signed by not less than fifty per cent of the total members of the Academic Council, convene a special meeting of the Academic

Constitution and functions of Faculties

1. (1) The University shall have the Faculties of Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Musicology, Fine Arts and Performing Arts and such other Faculties as may be prescribed.
2. (2) The constitution and functions of the faculties shall in all other respects, be such as may be prescribed.
3. (3) Each Faculty shall comprise such departments of teaching as are specified in the statutes.

1. (1) The Finance Committee shall consist of the following members, namely:—
   • (a) The Vice-Chancellor;
   • (b) The Secretary to Government in-charge of Finance Department;
   • (c) The Secretary to Government in-charge of Culture;
   • (d) The Commissioner of Art and Culture;
   • (e) One member nominated by the Syndicate from among its members;
2. (2) If for any reason, the members referred to in clause
   • (b) or clause
   • (c) of sub-section
3. (1) is unable to attend any meeting of the Finance Committee, he may depute any officer of his department not below the rank of a Deputy Secretary to Government to attend such meeting. The officer or person deputed shall have the right to take part in the discussions of the committee and shall have the right to vote.
4. (3) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex-officio Chairperson and the Finance Officer shall be the ex-officio Secretary of the Finance Committee.
5. (4) All the members of the Finance Committee, other than the ex-officio members, shall hold office for a period of three years.
6. (5) The Finance Committee shall meet at least once in three months to examine the accounts and to scrutinize proposals for expenditure.
7. (6) The Annual accounts and the Annual Financial Estimates of the University prepared by the Finance Officer shall be laid before the Finance Committee for consideration and comments and thereafter submitted to the Syndicate for approval.
8. (7) The Finance Committee shall, recommend limits for the total recurring expenditure and the total non- recurring expenditure for the year based on the income and resources of the University, which, in the case of productive works may include the proceeds of loans.
9. (8) The Finance Committee shall,—
   • (a) review the financial position of the University, from time to time;
   • (b) make recommendations to the Syndicate in every proposal involving investment or expenditure for which no provision has been made in the Annual Financial Estimates or which involves expenditure in excess of the amount provided for in the Annual Financial Estimates;
   • (c) prescribe the methods and procedure and forms for maintaining the accounts of the University;
   • (d) make recommendations to the Syndicate on all matters relating to the finances of the University; and
   • (e) perform such other functions as may be prescribed.
10. (9) The Financial estimates of the University prepared by the Finance Officer shall be laid before the Finance Committee for consideration and comments. The said estimates as modified by the Finance Committee shall be then laid before the Syndicate for consideration.

Board of Studies There shall be a Board of Studies attached to each Department of teaching.

Constitution of other authorities The Constitution and powers of such other bodies as may be declared by the statutes to be authorities of the University shall be such as may be prescribed.

All the authorities of the University shall have power to constitute or reconstitute committees and to delegate to them such of their powers as they deem fit. Such committees shall, save as otherwise provided, consist of members of the authority concerned and of such other persons, if any, as the authority in each case, may deem fit.

1. (1) A person shall be disqualified for nomination as a member of any of the authorities of the University, if on the date of such nomination he is,-
   • (i) of unsound mind;
   • (ii) adjudicated as an undischarged insolvent;
   • (iii) convicted by a criminal court to imprisonment for any offence.
2. (2) In case of dispute or doubt, as regards disqualification, the

Disqualification for nomination to Syndicate and Academic Council in certain cases

1. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause
   • (a) of sub-section
2. (5) of section 19 and clause
   • (a) of sub-section
3. (3) of section 22, no person who has held office as a member for a total period of six years in the Syndicate or the Academic Council or in both, of the University shall be eligible for nomination to either of the said two authorities: Provided that for the purpose of computing the total period of six years referred to in this sub-section, the period of three years during which a person held office in one authority by nomination and the period of three years during which he held office in another authority by nomination shall be taken into account and accordingly such person shall not be eligible for nomination to either Syndicate or the Academic Council: Provided further that for the purpose of this sub-section, if a person who has held office for a period not less than one year in any one of the authorities referred to in this sub-section in a casual vacancy shall be deemed to have held office for a period of three years in that authority: Provided also that for the purpose of this sub-section, if a person was nominated to one authority and such person becomes a member of another authority by virtue of the membership in the first mentioned authority, the period for which he held office in the first mentioned authority alone shall be taken into account.
4. (2) Nothing in sub-section
5. (1) shall have application in respect of-
   • (i) ex-officio members referred to in section 19;
   • (ii) ex-officio members referred to in section 22.