In a historic development, Susan Elias on Monday assumed charge as the principal of St Stephen's College, becoming the first woman to lead the institution in its 145-year history since its founding in 1881. College officials confirmed that Elias formally joined as principal, bringing an end to months of uncertainty surrounding the appointment.
Delhi University Raises Objections
Elias's assumption of office comes despite strong objections raised by the University of Delhi (DU) over the appointment process. DU had questioned the selection procedure, maintaining that certain statutory norms and regulations governing appointments in affiliated colleges had not been followed. Delhi University Registrar Vikas Gupta stated that the university had repeatedly communicated its concerns to the college but received no response.
“The college cannot be allowed to flout regulations in the name of minority status. We have repeatedly written to the institution, but none of our letters have received a response. The rules apply equally to all. We have taken up the matter with the UGC and will see what action it decides to take,” Gupta said.
Minority Status and Regulatory Oversight
St Stephen's College, one of India's oldest and most prestigious institutions, enjoys minority institution status and has maintained that it has the right to make appointments in accordance with its governing provisions. The issue has sparked a wider debate over the balance between minority rights and regulatory oversight in higher education. With Elias now taking charge, attention is likely to shift to the response of Delhi University and the University Grants Commission (UGC), which has been approached by DU regarding the matter.
Elias's appointment marks a significant milestone in the college's history, breaking a nearly 145-year tradition of male leadership at the institution. Her tenure begins amid ongoing discussions about the autonomy of minority institutions and the application of uniform regulations across all colleges affiliated with Delhi University.
