Functions and Activities

The SC/ST Cell was established in the university to co-ordinate with the university authorities in the implementation of the various policies and programmes launched by the State Government and the UGC for the benefit of the SC/ST students and employees. It also undertakes the activities to develop awareness among the SC/ST students especially from the rural areas about the role of Bharathidasan University in higher education avenues. The members of the staff in the cell are actively engaged in co-ordinating and solving the problems in matters of admissions/appointments and resources utilization in the university. They also announce details of government scholarships and fellowships through circulars to the SC/ST students. The Cell concentrates on the implementation of the rules of reservation in student's admission and appointments in teaching and non-teaching position as well as monitoring the prevention of atrocities against the laid down groups. The cell aims at providing educational opportunities to those, who are economically and socially deprived, in the higher education institution.

Moreover, the SC/ST Cell has taken up problems of the SC/ST students and employees with the university authorities and has solved some of them amicably. The cell, in the ultimate analysis, has been a user friendly counselor to all SC/ST employees and students. The University is providing statistical information periodically and promptly on all aspects to the Government of India, and the Government of Tamilnadu. The SC/ST Cell offers guidance to various University Committees in respect to recruitments/promotions based on the latest rule position concerning SC/ST reservations.

Other functions such as in student: The Liaison Officer, on behalf of the Cell organizes periodical meeting with SC/ST students to help them to understand the facilities available in the university campus. Interactive sessions and informal meetings with them are also conducted to equip them deal with personal, social and academic problems. The Liaison Officer ensures due compliance of the orders of reservation issued from time-to-time in favour of SC/STs. Liaison Officer also looks after the prompt disposal of grievances of the SC/ST employees.

Cell particularly attempts,

• (i) to ensure due compliance by the subordinate authorities with the reservation orders and other benefits admissible to SC/STs
• (ii) to scrutinize and ensure prompt submission of the prescribed annual statements by the Appointing Authorities to the University and consolidation of the annual statements and sending such consolidated statements to the UGC
• (iii) to scrutinize properly all proposals for de-reservation and to certify that such de-reservations are inevitable
• (iv) to liaise between the university authorities and the government by supplying required information, answering queries, and clearing doubts
• (v) to conduct annual inspection of the records of the rosters maintained to the Commissioner for SCs/STs in Bharathidasan university departments and its constituent and affiliated colleges.

Special Activities

The SC/ST Cell monitors the functioning of remedial coaching programmes for SC/ST students under the assistance of the UGC for conducting remedial coaching classes to improve the performance of those students in bringing them to the general level of competency. Competent and interested Professors are engaged for this purpose, and they are paid honorarium as stipulated by the University Grants Commission. The Cell conducts and monitors the UGC/NET/SET and other service commissions coaching programme for the SC/ST students during the evenings and weekends.