Madras University Senate meeting postponed, academics upset

The University of Madras (UoM) Senate meeting scheduled for Friday was abruptly postponed hours before it was to begin, the first such meeting of the state's oldest university in 18 months. A Registrar's communication cited urgent meetings of the authorities as the reason, with a revised date to be announced later.

The postponement has angered faculty members, who argue that the authorities in question are bureaucratic ex-officio members whose absence should not cancel the meeting. The Senate, comprising senior academicians, is the highest administrative body and must statutorily approve all Syndicate decisions. Under statutes, the university must hold two Senate meetings a year.

Without a Senate meeting for a year and a half, the university has circulated provisional minutes of Senate-in-circulation for interim budgets. For July 2026, it sought approval of Rs 22.20 crore for salary and pension expenses, giving members one day to respond. The absence of a Vice-Chancellor for over two years has further slowed decision-making.