St Stephen’s College will formally install Prof Susan Elias as its new principal on Wednesday, signalling its determination to proceed with the leadership transition despite an unresolved dispute with Delhi University over the validity of her appointment.
The college has scheduled a commissioning and installation service at its chapel at 8 am on Wednesday, just two days after Elias assumed charge as the institution’s 14th principal. The ceremony comes even as Delhi University (DU) continues to question the appointment process, alleging that it did not comply with the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations.
An official notice issued by the college on Tuesday said the installation service would be presided over by college chairman Bishop Paul Swarup, and followed by a gathering for faculty, staff and other members of the college community.
Elias, whose appointment was announced on May 12, took charge on Monday. Soon after the announcement, DU directed the college not to proceed with the appointment, arguing that the selection process was inconsistent with the UGC norms that govern appointments in higher educational institutions.
The university has since referred the matter to the UGC and sought its intervention. Confirming the development on Tuesday, DU Registrar Vikas Gupta said the university was awaiting further directions from the commission.
Despite the pending dispute, St Stephen’s appears to be treating Elias’ appointment as final, with Wednesday’s installation ceremony expected to formally mark the beginning of her tenure. The appointment carries historic significance for the 145-year-old institution. At the ceremony, Elias will formally succeed principal John Varghese and become the first woman to head St Stephen’s College since its establishment in 1881.
The latest disagreement adds to a series of recent confrontations between DU and the autonomous minority institution over issues ranging from governance and admissions to appointments and institutional autonomy.
