New Disciplinary Policies; Students Voice Concerns at AUSG open meeting

On Wednesday, 6th August 2025, the Registrar sent out an email mandating the signing of a declaration by all students of the university and their parents for their consent to abide by the new Residence Life and Disciplinary Proceedings Policies before the commencement of the Monsoon ‘25 semester. The email mentioned that “failure to comply with this requirement may result in delays in joining the Monsoon Semester 2025.” 

On Thursday, 7th August 2025, the Ashoka University Student Government (AUSG) held an open meeting to discuss these new policies. In an email sent to the student body ahead of the open meeting, the AUSG said that the policies were introduced “without any prior consultation with student representatives” from statutory bodies or the elected Student Government. Describing it as “not an isolated incident,” AUSG members said it was another example of decisions being made without student involvement. 

Ajitesh Vishwanath (UG '27), Minister for Community Well-Being (MCWB), and Aveka Jain (UG '27), Campus Life Minister (CLM), attended the open meeting along with the House of Representatives (HoR) and UG Council members. Jain and Vishwanath explained changes from previous Resident Life policies, with Jain noting that CLM's goal in the meeting was to inform the student body about these changes and understand their feedback. Vishwanath also highlighted concerns and contentious points obtained via MCWB’s feedback form. Vishwanath expressed the MCWB’s opposition to the new policies, citing concerns about legality, medical privacy, confidentiality, and logistical feasibility.

UG Councillor Karandeep Gill (UG '26) brought up that the new policy impositions also violated the agreements made in the aftermath of the Spring 2024 gate scanner protests: “All administrative decisions directly affecting student life must include democratic student representation and consultation right from the initial stages of any policies being considered.” 

Gill further said that the AUSG has considered creating an “independent working group” in order to reframe the current policy document. This group would comprise a diverse range of students, including those who have been actively involved in university matters in various capacities.

Ahana Walanju (UG '26), Vice-President of the AUSG, added that the AUSG would consider negotiating the suspension of the updated policies until the working group proposes revised ones, with the previous policies remaining in effect in the interim. She added that another baseline demand would be to have an open town hall with the Vice Chancellor in the first week of the upcoming semester.

With the floor open for students, some pointed out policy contradictions. One student highlighted an issue with the entry and exit protocols in the Residence Life Policy. Clause IV A mentions that “All students carrying anything other than wallets… will need to scan their belongings at all points of entry”. While Section A, 27 in the Disciplinary Proceedings Policy states that “Refusal or resistance to checking of bags, wallets…” will invite a strike on a student’s record. The student argued that this makes the policy vague and expressed concern that there would be no defined limitations on the enforcement of this policy.

Various students reported concerns about privacy breaches and the impracticality of the guidelines on psychiatric medicines. Students also raised concerns about the infrastructural issues in residential halls, questioning the gap between policies made for their safety and the on-ground reality. Many also questioned whether the Registrar’s use of the phrase “delays in joining,” instead of clearly stating that students who had not signed the declaration would not be allowed on campus, was intended to avoid potential legal implications. Proposed suggestions included holding a meeting with parents to discuss the policies and using social media platforms to voice concerns.  

Concerns were also raised about the current premature enforcement of new ResLife policies. While the new ResLife policy’s VI.B.3 section mentions that “A student's continued stay in a Residence Hall, particularly when dealing with significant mental health concerns, will always be contingent upon a review by the University’s empaneled psychiatrist, prioritizing the student's best interest and safety,” some students have already been issued with notices to evacuate campus due to ‘mental health issues’ and to return only if they submit a certificate qualifying them as “fit to rejoin academic responsibilities and stay in University campus from a qualified medical practitioner”. 

One such case is that of Prajwal Gayen (UG '27). During a conversation with The Edict, Gayen said he was asked to leave campus in May after adverse effects from prescribed psychiatric medication led to his infirmary admission. Gayen claims the first intimation of his suspension was days before his planned return to campus, and he only learned through the Young Scholars Program (YSP) team point of contact (PoC) that “ResLife has informed them that I cannot enter the campus.” No formal communication was sent to him from ResLife about the same. 

After contacting the Director of Resident Life, he was informed that re-entry to campus required medical certification and university review. Gayen said the lack of communication led to financial loss, worsened health, and cost him the loss of his YSP internship and a Research Assistantship on campus. He also said that a member of the ResLife team had communicated to his friends that he spoke rudely to them (ResLife) and that it would “affect his opportunities on campus.” Other students have also faced similar campus suspensions owing to their ‘mental health issues.’

On Saturday, 9th August, the AUSG emailed the Dean of Student Affairs, the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar’s office and the rest of the student body about their demands from the administration. The AUSG demanded an open town hall with the VC, the suspension of the current policies until student consultation and that the mandatory signage of the “Student & Parents Declaration” be postponed until the policies have undergone student consultation.

The AUSG has stated that it will continue to collect concerns, suggestions and specific cases from students to present to the administration in future discussions. Feedback forms for parents have been sent out by the MCWB this afternoon (11th August). Meanwhile, questions remain over the clarity, communication, and implementation of the new Residence Life,  NOC and Disciplinary Proceedings Policies.

(Edited by Somansh Sarangi, Anamta Husain and Fatema Tambawalla)