An Open Letter to the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Regarding Pressing Issues Concerning Democracy Within the University of Cambridge.

Dear Prof. Deborah,

I trust this letter finds you amidst your pursuits with renewed vigour. I write to you with a deep sense of urgency, prompted by recent events that have cast a shadow over the integrity of democracy within the University of Cambridge.

The diminishing voter turnout over the years, mid-election candidate withdrawals, premature separation of 2 sabbatical officers in the current academic year so far, inquorate student council meetings, and the postponement of Student Members’ meetings all contribute to a troubling scenario. Despite their importance, the rescheduled Student Members’ meeting (AGM) failed to garner more than 10% of the necessary quorum of just 100 individuals and concluded within a mere 30 minutes. Furthermore, incidents of targeted harassment against sabbatical officers—especially those people of colour, unfounded as they may be—only serve to exacerbate the situation.

Moreover, the dwindling membership in the executive committee, responsible for implementing policies and fulfilling the student council's expectations, raises further concerns. The resignation of full-time sabbatical officer(s) under ambiguous circumstances—whether coerced or voluntary—coupled with the absence of by-elections despite student inquiries, compounds the issue. These indicators of internal democratic decay cast doubt on the university’s ability to effectively fulfil its legal obligations outlined under Section 22(1), 22(2)(e), and 22(2)(g) of the Education Act of 1994.

Given the prevailing circumstances, urgent measures are imperative to restore students’ trust in democracy and help them have representation. As expected by Section 22(2)(d) of the Education Act 1994, and duly recognized by the Statutes & Ordinances of The University of Cambridge, I bring to your attention, as my solemn duty, the pressing concerns that are adversely impacting democracy and effective student representation. These issues unequivocally reveal the university's inability to fulfil the mandated duties.

Interestingly, I had the privilege of attending a thought-provoking discourse at Cambridge, hosted by you, where the pressing question, 'Is democracy dying?' was rigorously discussed. While my insights may not match those of our distinguished speakers on a global platform, I can unequivocally state that within the University of Cambridge, democracy— especially concerning student representation— does not stand as the students’ expectations. In recent past the Council Committee on the Supervision of Students Union (CCSSU) also noted many of the proposed changes in the SU’s constitution ‘Dangerous’ in context to democracy, representation, and its finances.  The enclosed photo haunts me a lot and I’m afraid to say that it is all set to lose more faces in coming weeks. One sabbatical officer is already on their notice period, and I’m aware that at least 3 other sabbatical officers are sincerely thinking on the same lines. Are we witnessing the slow demise of democracy, or is it being gradually eroded? Is it the bureaucracy that is killing democracy?  These are questions that demand our earnest consideration, lest we risk being perceived as failing to practice what we preach. 

 Since the assigned subordinate office of University Council, i.e., the Council Committee for the Supervision of the Student Union (CCSSU), has already expressed their inability to address the concerns raised by the undersigned, I implore your direct intervention in addressing these matters to safeguard students' legitimate interests. I believe it is crucial for your office to assume responsibility and conduct an investigation into the following inquiries:

1.      Given the number of student representatives serving as full-time sabbatical officers steadily decreasing for the unknown reasons, and when this trend is only expected to worsen further in coming days, is there any way to offer replacements to the students through by-election especially when student members themselves want to have it?

2.      If one of the fundamental pillars of student representation—the equal representation of undergraduate and postgraduate students, established following the merger of CUSU and GU a few years ago— has come under attack as evident from the recently concluded Student Trustees’ election? 

3.      Are the full-time elected representatives in general, and those from people of colour in particular, being targeted?

4.      Whether the financial transaction details are deliberately being kept hidden from one or more student representatives, including after repeated requests by the major union officer(s) even after stressing about of his duty as being incumbent upon them as per the University Statutes and Ordinance? 

5.      Are there instances of severe financial irregularities or corruption that are being tried to be concealed? Has there been one or more incidents wherein financial liability was created to pay staff member(s) beyond the initial contractual agreement upon their separation, that too within the probation period and only due to unsatisfactory performance? 

6.      Has Cambridge SU become a quasi-family business, nurturing nepotism, with a select group of top administrative staff making arbitrary appointments without following due procedure?

As you have been an unwavering support to me in navigating the intricate administrative landscape of our collegiate university and championing initiatives to aid students, such as the drive for affordable student housing, therefore allow me to contribute whatever assistance I can, with the sincerest belief that addressing these 200+ supplementary questions, will help you reach logical conclusions on the six key questions at the earliest. This will also enable both current and prospective students to grasp the ground reality sooner than later. 

In view of the serious concerns and in my capacity as a major union officer, I respectfully put forward the following demands before the university to effectively safeguard the students’ interests who come to the University of Cambridge with many legitimate expectations, including effective representation:

1.      Declare the recently held Student Trustees' election null and void.

2.      Hold by-election for the current academic year to fulfil students’ legitimate expectations and fill vacant positions.  Ensure the university provides necessary funds to pay the salaries of incoming Sabbatical officers in case Cambridge SU reports non-availability of funds. 

3.      Grant approval and viewer rights in Cambridge SU's financial ERP system(s) to the trustees to enable close monitoring of expenditure along with empowering major union officers to effectively discharge their duties as outlined in university ordinance and statutes.

4.      Immediately annul appointments of staff members that are made without proper advertisement and in violation of existing policies. 

5.      CCSSU to record all disciplinary notices, any communications thereof on such matters, and warning letters issued to the sabbatical officers. In case disciplinary proceedings are initiated, the investigation to be conducted jointly with a person as nominated by the chair of CCSSU. Provision sharing of copy of exit interview letters duly signed by sabbatical officer with the student council, trustee board, and the CCSSU. 

I urge you to consider these matters with the utmost seriousness, as the legitimate expectations of our students are at stake. In protest against the prevailing crisis, I will continue to fast during daylight hours until the upcoming Thursday, and thereafter, I will undertake a total fast until the demands are met. Moreover, I hereby excuse myself from the University Council and its sub-committees in my capacity as a University Trustee until the university takes corrective measures to uphold democratic values within the university that we proudly espouse to the global community. 

May God help Cambridge University effectively fulfil its legitimate duties and provide its students with a healthy democracy and proper representation!

Energetically Yours, 

 

 

 

 

Vareesh Pratap 

President (PG)

Major Union officer & Trustee, University of Cambridge  

 

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