It's not all about muscle, money power

MANGALORE: Are student councils in colleges working effectively or have they become ritualistic? Do student council elections really serve the purpose? There were no unanimous answers to these questions when TOI spoke to students of University College, Hampankatta, where the Lyngdoh Committee report has been implemented. Students feel that elected councils are a necessity.Councils are no longer breeding grounds for politics like in the earlier days.
Ashwath says student councils are necessary as they take up student-related issues. Like when students were deprived of fees concession despite producing income certificates, the union took up the issue and solved it. He says the college management did not respond to the students' problems until it was taken up by the councils.
Endorsing his views Shobhita adds problems are heard only when they go via the union. Otherwise, no one responds, she feels. Ramya and Aniza Fatima cite the examples of infrastructure-related problems which were solved after the unions took up the issue. For Manoj Kumar, student council elections have helped shape his personality in way of interactions, communication etc. "Student councils provide a forum to express our opinions," said Chethan Shetty.
For Lynsha student council elections have become like the general elections. Here too party affiliations play a role and not the capacity of the candidates. Many a time good candidates have lost defeating the very purpose of the elections, she explains.
Ashwath and co. feel strikes are the only mechanism through which the management can be convinced to solve their problems. "Strikes would be unnecessary if the management listened our issues," he says. Bhavin Naik adds strikes are the only way to awaken the management to the realities. Peaceful means do not work, he quips.
But Lynsha feels undue importance is being to strikes and it is affecting classes. Sometimes only strikes are held and classes are lost but the problems remain unsolved, she explains.
Chethan says student councils are no longer the breeding grounds for politics. "The importance of being a student council president lasts only for a few months. After that no one cares for him," he said. Ramya feels there should be a system to train council members in matters of leadership. Bhavin said once the elections are over, students give more attention to career building.
Students feel council activities can be more vibrant if teachers can act as guides. Lynsha says if lecturers guide the council activities, it can be more effective.