Member ditches search panel, Madras University VC selection not on for two months

Chennai: The few hours prior to declaration of the model code of conduct on Friday for the Assembly elections, saw desperate attempts by Madras University search committee to reach out to R.Surendira Prasad, a panel member. But, it proved futile as he didn’t respond to calls and messages.

The result is the university will have to wait for more than two months to have a new Vice-Chancellor. R.Thandavan’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor ended on January 17. The new V-C search panel has P.N.Veda Narayanan, governor’s nominee as its convenor and R.Balasubramanian from SRM University, syndicate nominee and R.Surendira Prasad, senate nominee, as its members.

The panel has received over 65 applications for the V-C’s post. It has scrutinised all applications and was about to forward the shortlisted names to the Governor, for the appointing a Vice-Chancellor.

“At the last meeting in which Surendira Prasad attended, we almost finalised the names. He left the meeting saying he would sign in the list at the next meeting. After that, we met many times, but he didn’t turn up for the meeting,” sources in the search panel said.

“He didn’t co-operate with the search panel as he demanded inclusion of the former Vice-Chancellor’s name in the list. After it became clear to him that the name won’t feature in the list, he disappeared,” sources added.

Now, the search panel has two options. One is to get another representative from the senate to the panel. It will take time as the senate meeting requires 15 days notice period. The other option is to seek legal opinion from the Advocate General. “Either case, they can’t appoint the Vice-Chancellor as the model code of conduct has come into place,” professors said. The search panel may meet the Governor K.Rosaiah on Saturday to discuss the next course of action.