AUSG releases monthly report; reveals action plan regarding policies and ministry updates

On Thursday, 18th September, 2025, the Ashoka University Student Government (AUSG) made public, via email, the monthly report for the first term of the 2025-26 academic year. Updates in the monthly report were prepared by the Public Relations Department (PRD). 

The 35-page report contains detailed updates on the SG’s response to the updated guidelines on disciplinary proceedings, Residence Life policy and the process of obtaining No-Objection Certificates (NOC). It also contained news of a student-led Working Group to “review and reform” the Residence Life Policy, disciplinary guidelines and NOC policy. 

Other updates included the relaunching of a Sexual Harassment Climate Survey (SHCS) by the House of Representatives (HoR), inductions for the Alumni Relations Committee (ARC) and the response to this year’s Cohort Leadership Programme (CLP). Finally, the report delved into work completed by the various ministries. 

SG’s Response to New Policies

As shown in an earlier report by The Edict, the Registrar’s Office sent out three emails containing changes in guidelines regarding disciplinary proceedings, Residence Life policies and the NOC process without consulting any student representatives. In the monthly report, the AUSG expanded on multiple strategies they used to address student concerns regarding the policies such as petitions, collecting  student feedback, holding open meetings, creating a public information drive and directly engaging with the administration. 

Creation of a Working Group for policy reform 

As part of the negotiation process with the Dean of Student Affairs (DSA), Dr Dheeraj Sanghi, the UG Council has composed a student-led “Working Group”. The group comprises UG Council members, the Ministers of Community Well-being and Campus Life, representatives from Ashoka Behavioural Insights Team (ABIT) and the Statutory Bodies Committee and various student representatives. .The group meets weekly to discuss reforms to the newly created policies while incorporating feedback from the larger student body. 

HoR and Raah relaunch SHCS

The HoR, in collaboration with Raah—a student-led initiative advocating for consent awareness and sexual abuse survivor support—have decided to relaunch the Sexual Harassment Climate Survey (SHCS), to address sexual harassment on campus. The survey will gauge the frequency of sexual harassment on campus, attitudes on campus towards sexual harassment, awareness of procedures for survivors seeking help, and barriers faced by them in the process. The last CASH survey conducted in 2021 reached around 1600 students, providing important insights into systems of redressal and reform at Ashoka . A committee consisting of Raah members, AUSG members and interested students is being formed to initiate this survey. 

Alumni Relations Committee (ARC) opens inductions

In order to strengthen relations between the student body and alumni, the Alumni Relations Committee has re-opened inductions across five verticals– Outreach and Communication, Content and Archive, Events, Research and Analysis and Funding.  As stated in the report, ARC is developing a larger team to “create more meaningful engagement opportunities”. 

Success of the Cohort Leadership Program (CLP) 2025

The Cohort Leadership Programme for AY 2025-26 successfully welcomed the incoming batch between 16th to 24th August, undergoing extensive training to provide residential, academic and social support to students. The team consisted of 44 members, working closely with the Student Life Office (SLO) to hold informal mixers and interactive sessions to help familiarise students with campus culture. 

The report then moved on to  extensively list  the work undertaken by the seven ministries. 

Ministry of Community Well Being (MCWB) 

In response to new policies concerning mental health, medication and staying on campus, the Ministry of Community Wellbeing (MCWB) communicated immediately with the student body through posts on social media and set up an Anonymous Wellbeing Feedback Form to gauge student responses to said policies. They compiled a comprehensive repository for mental and physical health services, consisting of off-campus and on-campus options, in an accessible FAQ format. 

The MCWB also worked to ensure the reinstatement of sexual wellbeing products like condoms, i-pills and lubes in the tuck shop after they were no longer available on campus post Spring ‘25. Prompt discussions with the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) led to positive results in this regard. Lastly, the MCWB launched the MCWB Care Fundraiser to support staff and workers and raised INR 1,136 through a mess stall in collaboration with Caperture. 

Ministry of Academic Affairs (MAA) 

The Ministry of Academic Affairs (MAA) prepared a comprehensive UG 2025 General Policy Document outlining academic structures for the incoming batch in collaboration with Resident Assistants and Cohort Leaders during Orientation Week. The MAA also created a first-year-only group to address academic questions, establishing a chain of correct information going out directly from the Ministry. 

An “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) session held by the MAA on Saturday, 24th August was so well-received that another was scheduled the day after to address first-year anxieties regarding academics. In order to better acquaint students with representatives of various departments, the Ministry organised a “Meet the Reps” event in collaboration with the Board of Representatives. 32 representatives from 19 departments met with students on a rotating schedule to clarify academic concerns on Tuesday, 26th August. 

Ministry of Technology (TechMin)

In response to the reinstatement of baggage scanners, the Ministry of Technology (TechMin)  launched a survey to gauge student opinions, also offering a chance to suggest alternative measures in the form. Prior to the beginning of the Monsoon ‘25 semester, they created a semester planner with updated course information and class schedules, available on the AUSG website. The Resources section on the website was updated with the latest policy details, campus outlet timings and revised timings for facilities. An induction tracker mechanism was also created  in collaboration with more than 20 clubs and societies, easing the club induction process for first years. Lastly, TechMin updated the AUSG website to make it more accessible and user-friendly, onboarding 4,400 users in the process. 

Campus Life Ministry (CLM)

The Campus Life Ministry (CLM) created a tracker to document and monitor pervasive issues like the presence of mold in rooms and followed up on more than 30+ individual requests, addressing 20+ cases of mold. The CLM resolved mismatches for more than 15 rooms in the first week. Overall, the CLM also held a meeting with housekeeping and maintenance staff to address recurring complaints. 

To make meals on campus more affordable and offer outlets with longer functioning hours to meet students’ needs, the CLM has launched an outlet called Healthy Nook, allowing students to access a healthy meal by tapping their mess card. In response to the release of new policy documents, the CLM participated in the joint  working group with representatives from MCWB, ABIT and other stakeholders to critically examine their implications. Lastly, the CLM initiated drafting a proposal for online classes during smog-heavy weeks to establish clear procedures for virtual learning when AQI levels surpass safe conditions. 

Sports Ministry 

The Sports Ministry aimed to integrate inclusive practices through various measures, from training leadership across sports teams to collaborating with SOBAC (Special Olympics Bharat- Ashoka Chapter) to organise sessions with Office of Learning Support (OLS) and Ashoka Bridge Program (ABP) students. To make sports facilities in the MPH more accessible, they initiated the installation of disability friendly equipment. The Initiatives department of the Sports Ministry took on multiple new projects, including creating a beginner’s guide to gym equipment, tournament guides for athletes and an athlete mentorship program. 

Cultural Ministry (Jazbaa)

Jazbaa, the Cultural Ministry, organised various events at the start of the semester to help the incoming batch transition to college, including famous Orientation Week events like Sopaan—a two day campus wide treasure hunt played in teams—and “Shaam-e-Jazbaa” —a student-led talent night organised at the end of Orientation Week in Dr Reddy’s auditorium, showcasing musical, dance, poetry and even magic performances. 

To make their events more inclusive, Jazbaa developed guidelines for a disability-friendly Sopaan and planned Signum, an event commemorating the International Day of Sign Languages and the Day of the Deaf. 

To streamline communication with clubs and academic societies, Jazbaa created a Clubs and Societies Collective Group. To ensure a diverse celebration of festivals, Jazbaa took the initiative to celebrate Onam (in collaboration with Kaagazi and LangUp) and Ganesh Chaturthi, organising activities like modak making and clay sculpting for the latter. 

Environment Ministry 

The Environment Ministry conducted inductions for HoDs as well as new members, with interviews for the latter being planned currently. As part of their research, the ministry drafted a biodiversity report of all plants and animals found around campus, proposing a tentative bird walk to observe the nature around campus. At the upcoming Ashoka University Sustainable Development Goals (AUSDG) Expo, they are planning to release a sustainability report. The ministry also plans to install a “wishing tree” at the mess stalls for the occasion, where students can write wishes for the upcoming semester on reused paper.  

The AUSG ended their report with a commitment to uphold transparency and accountability, urging students to engage with happenings on campus and reaffirming their status as important stakeholders in the future of this university. 

(Edited by Somansh Sarangi and Fatema Tambawalla)