Never come LATE

U b lat for 30 mins, that too during NAVRATRI, and this is what you get

Resopnse to letter

Dear MBA Students,

I refer to the meeting of SAC with Director, Chairman and Chief Warden of IM, NU and request you to kindly observe the minutes that follow:

• Internet (Wi-fi) facility has been proposed for reading room in the institute.
• Protective net has been ordered for boy’s hostel.
• One RO system has been ordered for installation in boy’s hostel and a system wherein drinking water shall be sent regularly for testing is proposed.
• New TV and Carpet for TV rooms in both hostels are proposed to be procured.
• A list of packed and branded food items is to be submitted so that the items can be kept at pantry in both hostels.
• A bus is proposed to be arranged for students to visit the city and procure necessary items. Such arrangement shall be made once a week according to the itinerary and schedule of bus.
• It has been agreed that the lift at boy’s hostel shall start serving the second floor.
• Audio-visual systems (Projectors and Mike) in classes and auditorium are proposed to be repaired /replaced.
• Some students having bank loan were facing problems in getting the money for books since receipt of the books issued has to be submitted for the same. Issue of receipt/institute letter specifying the cost of books has been proposed. The money which is not utilized in any particular term for books is carried forward and shall be adjusted in the end.
• SAC members shall report any breakage/damage for chairs in their respective classrooms.
• Presently, Original certificates are mailed to the parents of the students and some cases of misplacement have been observed due to various reasons (change of address etc.). it has been proposed that Duplicate certificates shall be mailed to the parents (if university regulation allows) and originals of the same shall be issued to the students. However, students must notify the administration immediately in case of any address change.
• Alumni membership card is proposed to be issued so that the students belonging to our alma mater don’t face any difficulty in availing entry in the institute premises.
• Mr. Yogesh Kale from Wipro Tech. who attended the management conclave pointed out some problem with gents’ toilets in the institute building. The problems are proposed to be addressed after assessment.
• Mr. Barot, Sr. Executive VP, Darashaw gave the suggestion to Install Bloomberg Terminal in Library. All IIMs and A grade Business schools have the same running in place. The Bloomberg Terminal is a computer system that enables financial professionals to access the Bloomberg Professional® service through which users can monitor and analyze real-time financial market data movements and place trades. More details about the same has to be provided by Ms. Akanksha Bumb.
• Director, IM, NU has requested all the students to attend conclaves and other events held at the institute for our benefit regularly. He has also asked the students to maintain and appreciate discipline.
• Morning prayers have been started as a step to ensure discipline and to help align students with the academic environment in the institute. It has not been started to promote any religion or line of faith.
• In context of the issue related with mess food quality, we have been informed that the mess contractor shall discontinue his services in near future and new tenders to operate the mess have already been invited.

The director has expressed his disappointment regarding the language used in the letter submitted to him. On the behalf of SAC members, I want to put this to your kind information that we have been chosen to facilitate communication between management and student bodies. Kindly utilize the channel that has been provided to you all.

Sub: Information about issues faced by students

Dear Sir,

This letter is to state a few issues that have been disturbing the undersigned. We are not sure if these have been brought to your notice, thus we thought of documenting these issues for your easy referral.

The issues transcend all the aspects of the student life at IM,NU including the Academic and Administrative.

1. Morning Prayers: We do not oppose the idea of a prayer every morning, but the fact that it has been imposed on us is a matter of resentment. Also, the prayer takes time from the class, which should not be the case. A non compulsory common prayer for all interested people at 9:25 near the Saraswati idol would have been a better option. Even though we have accepted and are abiding by the rule, we are unhappy with the same.

2. Hostel In Time: The change in the hostel in time is another fact that we have discontentment with. We feel that if the hostel time had to be changed, it should have been extended, not reduced. The Nirma campus is beautiful and safe, and could have been kept available for the students for the entire 24 hours. Even though we have accepted and are abiding by the rule, we are unhappy with the same.

3. Mess: The students have had quality and taste issues with the Mess food for many months now. At the start of the 4^th term the 2^nd year students delayed payment of Mess fees as a sign of our discontent. Many promises have been made, yet the issue has not been brought to a desirable end. The abating of protests is a sign of our tiredness, not of an improvement in things.

4. Boys Hostel Lift: The lift has, since recently, not been servicing the 1^st and 2^nd floors. The notice that informed us about this decision stated “Administrative convenience” and “electricity cost” as the reasons. We believe that the lift should operate for the Students’ convenience, not the Administration’s. Also, a few days after the same, an electric fountain with lights came up in the small pond near the Boys Hostel. It should also be noted that the roads inside the Nirma campus are brilliantly lit by hundreds of tube lights. These do send conflicting signals to us. It is to be noted that the 1^st floor has the Pantry where many trips from all the floors are made.

5. Boy’s & Girl’s Hostel Pantry: In continuation with Point 3, many students preferred to have the food served in the Pantry, which used to stock puffs, pizzas, sandwiches and many other items. These have now been stopped and the Pantry serves only tea/coffee and biscuits/chips. We have been given to understand that the contract did not allow the sale of the other items, but we believe that it would have been mutually beneficial to all if the contract had been renegotiated rather than stopping the sale of these items. Also, we believe that the non packaged products offered here are overpriced. Perhaps the pricing could be looked into.

6. Discussion Space: We had expressed the need of a covered, internet connected space where boys and girls could discuss projects very long ago. The need has not been addressed yet. The library does not encourage discussions, the mess does not allow us to recharge our laptops, and also it does not have internet connection. The Reading room does not have internet connectivity either. We currently use the benches outside the Boys hostel to do projects, but the place is prone to the weather and bird droppings. WiFi internet at the Benches and the Mess, a covering over the benches to protect from bird droppings, and permission to use the power outlets at the mess would be of immense help.

7. Class Equipment: The AV equipment in the classrooms is not maintained well. In some classes the projector remote does not function properly, the reception of the collar mike is not consistent, and the air-conditioning cannot be regulated, thus making it necessary to frequently switch on and switch off the same. Also, power outlet and a LAN connection could be provided at the Teacher’s desk or the podium, thus making it easier for teachers and other presenters to use the laptops for presentation, eliminating the need of frequently move to the class computer to change slides.

8. Issue of Books: The earlier system wherein the books were given to us in the Institute and the charges accrued to us as per actual was more convenient for us. Today we have to pay a lump sum in advance and collect the books from NIT. Also, delivery of books is done only after the payment is made. Many of us have to get drafts issued from the Banks where we have taken loans from. This results in delays in receiving the drafts, resulting in some students going without books for 2 – 3 weeks. Post payment of the money should have been allowed, so that we have the books from Day 1.

9. Transportation: The College has been seeking to restrict and control the use of private vehicles by the students. The AMTS Bus service here is infrequent, making the ‘chakda’ the only viable option for transport. We feel that the chakdas are slow and unsafe mode of transportation, especially after dark. Coupled with the Campus In Time of 11 PM, the distance of the campus from the City, and the evening classes for some students, this becomes another problem for the students.

10. Chair Allocation for 1^st Year: In the 1^st year classrooms, the students have been assigned to a particular chair and have been asked to ensure the upkeep of the same. It has been informed that any costs incurred due to damage on the chairs will have to be borne by the student. It should be noted that the same classrooms are used by the Part Time students, Executive diploma students and the various clubs that are in existence at IM,NU.

11. Teacher’s Feedback: The process of the student feedback of teachers is an effort that may be losing its effectiveness, as we never get to know the results of the feedback. Case in point being the evaluation of two new teachers who taught the current senior batch in the 3^rd and 4^th Term. After the feedback was given, in our discussions, we found that a good number of students felt that the style of these two teachers was not inductive to the participatory style of teaching that is followed at IM,NU. Yet we do not know what end came to the feedback process. We could be informed about the follow up to the feedback process, which would assure us that the feedback has been heard.

12. Loss of Staff/Teachers: Some of the respected faculty, some of the efficient staff have left IM,NU in the near past. The reasons may be varied and justifiable, yet the fact that they have left us remains. We are concerned that the replacements, instead of being of equal or higher capacities, will be the opposite. It is a matter of concern and constant discussion amongst us.

13. Nirma Branding: We know the inherent strengths that Nirma possesses. Yet, the Nirma educational brand is not known to many in the outside world. We believe that a more concentrated effort towards branding of the Nirma name would be beneficial to all stakeholders in the long run.

14. Non Participatory Decision making: In the recent past, many of the decisions that have been made have been made without any discussion or intimation to the students. We learn about the decisions when a notice comes up on the notice board or when the officials come to enforce the rules. We request you kindly take into consideration the students’ opinion. Also, we have been given to understand that some of the decisions imposed upon us have been done so at the behest of one single person. We believe that an Institution can not be subject to one person’s ideas, and that the Institution has to take into consideration the views of all stakeholders. It is essential that we ensure that we separate the Institute from a family run enterprise.

Most of the discontent among us comes from the restrictive atmosphere that we are currently facing at IM,NU. 3M, a highly innovative product company, has the following belief, which, along with others, has helped it be an innovator: “If you put fences around people, you get sheep”. We believe that the Institute of Management, Nirma University is aiming to make thought leaders, not followers. Thus, perhaps the fences should be removed and more freedom given to the students. We are, after all, legally eligible to vote, marry and start a family. We request you to kindly allow us the right to decide when to get up in the mornings.

This letter is meant to be a communication of how we feel about a few things here, and the hope we have of having an improvement. Some suggestions for improving the student life are also included, yet this is not a comprehensive letter. With some interactive Administration, we believe that the student life at Nirma would improve by much, benefiting not only the students, but also IM,NU.

Thanking you,

(Undersigned)

Alumni talk - part2

Following is a mail sent by one of our alumni to admin

Dear Sir,

Please note that alumnus' view are not singular, they are views held by the all the alumni. Please do the needful to make our college reach the heights mentioned in your letter. Imposing unnecessary restrictions and rules would only hinder the students growth and path to success. Some points that I had observed during my two years of stay at my beloved institute & some which have come to my notice recently through juniors that I feel are causing grim harm to student's progress and the whole atmosphere at the institute:

1) The 11 pm deadline to come into the campus The classes of the institute are held till late night (till 10 pm during our time) the students need time to recuperate and enjoy some times outside the campus. We understand that the institute is on the highway and it may not be safe at night but almost all students in the institute are adults and know about the dangers of going out at night. I would suggest if the institute is still very concerned about the student's safety 1 am deadline for entry into the campus would be much more conducive for students.

2) Calling parents and mailing mark sheets home For the slightest of misconduct or mistake the institute threatens to call the students parents...for gods sake the students at the college are all adults, able to vote and decide for themselves what is wrong and what is right, the institute should promote the students in thinking for themselves and not act like a kindergarten -- calling forparents at the smallest of incidences

3) Bhajans.....lol
I think ours is the only institute who could have thought of this....lol...if any news of this goes out to other B-Schoolers or recruiters I pity the juniors who would have to be the butt of a lot
of jokes.

4) Points raised by Anant Misra below ... like great faculty leaving because they are not given room to teach what is relevent and what they feel is good for students but instead told to follow...RULES ....again. Please do some thing before the reputations of our institute is put into
danger. You make think these are just ramblings of an alumni who does not have much work to do in office but mind you these incidences which are taking place in college have a way of getting out to the wider public and if prospective students get to know these I am sure they would have second third or fourth thought of joining our ESTEEMED institute.
Please do some thing sir... I beg of you.

Regards,
Concerned Alumnus

July 28, 2007 6:55 PM

Alumni talk - part1

Anonymous said... our alumni wrote this to one of the faculty,

Dear Sir/Madam,

Indeed an attempt worth welcoming.

Coming to the business:
1. The purpose of a B-school is not to manage the personal lives and life styles of the inductees.There are separate social institutions to take care of this. Please understand what business we are into. Grade them on their academic excellence. and NOTHING else whatsoever.

2. The strategic importance of Alumni network can just not be over emphasised. Please be
consistent with the activity we get into in order to ensure the attachment and support from
them.

3. Nirma alumni have gone to good heights in different industries and sectors. Realise the
worth of it. The quality of placements is not justifying the repute we have as an institute
in the industry.

4. In this economy-boom time, 100% placement is an average achievement. Can we take it
up in our strides to bargain hard while selling our well above average products?

5. There are placement cells and committees in place. However, they have their own limitations
in terms of time, and effeciency level. We need to lessen relying upon them to bring in better
deals for the whole batch. There is too much expected from them.
How about partly replacing it with the supply of more of efficient and resourceful
professionals ?

6. There have been feed-back sessions; both in the open (with the director/dean) and anonymous (after exams and term ends). Results, however, are not reflecting the serious heed given to them. Purpose of this whole activity is defeated if it was designed only to be a lip-service act.

7. Please be assured that each alumnus is capable as well as willing to be a source of support and cooperation. The onus is on the institute's management to realise the need and importance of this networth they have been writing off.

--
Thanks 'n Regards, July 27, 2007 7:55 PM

Protest ???

Pasting the other part of the comment:

We need to protest. A sit in by all students near the reception (near the goddess gayatri statue) will shake them up. But the bigeest thing here is unity. Has to be everyone. But another important thing is that we cant get Academics mixed with Administration. There should be no changes in the classes. Those who do not have classes should sit near the Reception. No narebazi. No noise. Just 200 ppl sitting there.

link to the comment:
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6798423491019708091&postID=42677052276027588

New @ bSchool

Pasting a Comment over here:

There are more coming. Pretty soon, u will be TOLD that you cant take vehicles our after 9, and that if you do take your vehicle out before that, you will have to be in before 10.
I was part of the seniors who met the Director for the extension of the hostel timings. Thw way i saw it, it was stage managed. The Director PRETENDED not to know anything about the new and old timings. And then he talked abt what wud be a gud time. It was a set up. They knew we wud protest change in timings, so they DELIBERATELY put an initial timing of 1030 fr the hostel, so that they can show that they are being considerate and yet get their way.
Also,u must have noticed that the wiring for the speakers is almost done, so get ready tohear the lovely devotional songs at 730.
We need to protest.

Link to the comment: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6798423491019708091&postID=42677052276027588