PRESS RELEASE

An incident was reported on 1 August, 2010 involving students of SIMS, a constituent of Symbiosis International Deemed University. These students had organized a Friendship Day party in a farm house located in Theur near Hadapsar without the permission of the Director. The Symbiosis International Deemed University has a comprehensive Code of conduct which prescribes duties and responsibilities of students. It also prescribes punishment in case of misconduct or other violations of the Code.

Since the said act amounts to violation of certain norms of the Code, the Vice Chancellor constituted an Enquiry Committee on 2/8/2010 consisting of six members which included three women members.

The Committee conducted a very detailed enquiry, examined all the reports, documents, evidences and recorded relevant statements. The Committee having found that the violation of the said Code had been committed, extensively deliberated on various punishments mentioned in the Code including the rustication of the students. However, there was a consensus that such an action would be unduly harsh and could jeopardize the career of the students. In addition, it was noted that the police had already initiated proceedings and that the law would take its own course. Since this was their first deviation from the SI(DU) norms, the Committee recommended a corrective and reformative approach without compromising on the punitive aspect.

The Committee submitted its report to the Vice Chancellor on 4/8/2010, with its findings and recommendations.

The Vice Chancellor has accepted the report and has decided as follows:

a. The five students who are responsible for organising the whole event have been suspended for a period of 15 days for the violation of the said code of conduct and also for violation of the SIMS hostel rules. During the period of suspension, these students must undertake community service for a minimum of 8 hours per day at an organisation like the Queen Mary Technical Institute, etc. This is to be monitored by director, SIMS.

b. The eighty students booked by the police shall be required to do 15 days of community service as prescribed in para (a) as above, which is to be monitored by Director, SIMS.

c. All the students who had attended the said party shall not be given any late out or night out for a period of three months with immediate effect. Their timing to return to hostel shall be reduced by one hour

d. Awareness of legal norms and health risks of alcohol consumption, substance abuse and partying shall be created among all students

e. Counseling sessions shall be organised for all the students who have attended this party.