THE ACADEMIC COUNCIL AND THE SENATE
Considering the recommendations made by the Charter for Priestly Formation for India (Catholic Bishop's Conference of India - 5,2.2) and at the same time being aware of the need to impart to the students a highly qualified and sound intellectual formation, Suvidya College has taken bold steps in visualizing a two-tier system with regard to framing of its academic programme and drawing out the necessary policies: an Academic Council and an Academic Senate. This is:
1. to ensure a collective and participative system of making policies and decisions; and,
2. to set up channels of effective dialogue and co- responsibility.
A. THE ACADEMIC COUNCIL
i) Status of the Council:
Of the two constituted academic bodies, the Council is the larger forum with the higher number of members sitting on a session. It is an information-giving body and as such it is empowered to help in the decision-making process by putting forward its suggestions and recommendations. The Council is a free forum and all its members have equal rights in voicing out their opinions and getting involved in the emerging discussions.
ii) Constitution of the Council:
The following constitute the Academic Council:
a) The residential Staff of Suvidya College.
b) Visiting MSFS professors available in Suvidya College when the Council is on session.
c) Directors of Scholastics of the Study Houses
d) The elected representatives of the students. Each batch of students will be represented by an elected member. Normally the election will be held at the beginning of the academic year and the elected members shall be on the Council for a period of one year.
iii) Functions of the Council:
The Council deals with all matters pertaining to the intellectual formation. As such, the primary function of the Council is to ensure the involvement of everyone concerned in the details of the academic programme. It includes the following;
a) To bring to light the feelings and opinions of the staff and students regarding the academic programme that is being imparted in the College.
b) To make suggestions and recommendations, considering the feed back, for the better functioning of the academic system, with a view to attaining and maintaining a high standard within the academic institution.
c) To review the working of the programme from time to time.
B THE ACADEMIC SENATE
As the apex body, the Senate takes decisions in the light of the suggestions and recommendations made by the Council. The Senate is constituted of the following; the President of the College (Chairman), the Dean of Studies (Convenor), an elected representative from the Forum of the Rectors/Superiors of the Study Houses and two members from the residential staff of Suvidya College elected to be on the Senate for a period of three years
