Panel proposes to insert ‘she’ word in university calendar

CHANDIGARH: For making

Panjab University

calendar gender-sensitive after more than 100 years, the governance reforms committee proposes to include the word “she” in this schedule that mentions only “he” everywhere for vice-chancellor and other bosses, say sources.

Sources also say that the reforms committee is positive about making these amendments to promote gender equality. Once the university approves the changes, these will have to be notified to the Centre for final consent. The reforms committee has been discussing various concerns for the past six months. All university calendar amendments require the Centre’s stamp.

PU dean of international students Deepti Gupta said: “The change will mean getting closer to being a more inclusive society from a closed-doors one. We were also the first university to make a transgender-friendly toilet facility.”

On the other governing reforms of the university, the sources said the committee concerned has recommended that only complex issues be brought to the vice-chancellor and the routine issues resolved at the lower level.

This after it was being deliberated in the meetings that the VC should also approve the professors’ casual leave of absence. Another recommendation is for empowering the academic heads, including the deans and chairpersons.