VTU mandates grievance log books at engineering colleges to track student concerns

The Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has directed principals of affiliated engineering colleges to maintain a grievance log book documenting student concerns and the steps taken to address them.

In a circular, the university instructed principals to set aside specific time slots for meeting students who wish to discuss academic, administrative or other genuine grievances. The designated hours must be prominently displayed outside the principal's chamber so students know when they can approach the office.

Verification during inspections

VTU has told colleges that the Local Inspection Committee may verify the availability and implementation of the student-interaction system during the affiliation and inspection process. This suggests the measure will form part of the compliance framework used to assess affiliated institutions.

The grievance log book must record the date of each interaction, a brief description of the concern or query raised, and the action taken or resolution provided wherever applicable. The documentation requirement appears designed to create an audit trail of how colleges respond to student issues.

The circular makes no mention of penalties for non-compliance, but the prospect of scrutiny during LIC visits may serve as an enforcement mechanism. By linking the initiative to the inspection cycle, VTU has embedded the student-interaction protocol into the existing regulatory apparatus that governs engineering colleges in its network.

Source: The Hindu