The notice by TISS administration dated 29th December 2020 requires the students to complete fee payment before 10th January 2021 to be able to register for the upcoming semester.
Mumbai| The students of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) are protesting against the administration demanding that the fees levied by the institution be reduced in view of the total shut down of campus during the previous semester and the extension of the online classes for the upcoming semester. At the same time, the students are forced to incur additional expenses such as those related to internet access and data to access online classes. Moreover, the students are not currently able to access facilities, which were earlier covered by the fee, due to the shutdown. The TISS protest joins the league of student protests across the country in various universities against the privatisation of higher education. The notice by TISS administration dated 29th December 2020 requires the students to complete fee payment before 10th January 2021 to be able to register for the upcoming semester.
In a statement released on 2nd January, The Progressive Students’ Forum (PSF) called for a #FeesMustFall protest campaign. PSF wrote to the administration demanding a substantial reduction in the fees as well as an explanation on why the same amount has been charged during a period of near total campus shutdown. This amounts to profiteering in the midst of a pandemic, while being insensitive to the issues faced by the student community. In light of these concerns, a section of students have decided to boycott the fee payment and semester registration. PSF stands in solidarity with the boycott and urges the larger student community to also join the call.
The Registrar, Dean of Academics or the Dean of Studentsā Affairs have not yet officially responded to the studentsā demands or queries. In view of the continuing apathy of the TISS administration, PSF has decided to intensify the #FeesMustFall campaign.
The following actions are being planned in the upcoming days:
8th January ā Virtual protest gathering by students and a mass signature campaign
9th January ā Mass mailing the TISS Director involving the students and alumni.
Demands put forward by the students are:
1. a. Reduce fees considerably for all courses given that there is no on-campus activity and resource availability like during normal times, remove components and reimburse charges for unutilised facilities.
b. The TISS administration must explain the fee structure of each course, giving justification for individual heads in the fee break-up provided. (For example Development Fund, Fieldwork/Internship, Computer Lab, Students’ Union Fund etc.)
2. Extend the deadline for fee payment
3. The students’ from Marginalised sections (SC/ST/OBC (NC), EWS and others) should be supported by the Institute through internal mechanism towards fee payment and the GoI-PMS students should not be forced for upfront payment until they avail their respective scholarships.
4. Retain the instalment facility for the fee payment.
5. Delink the fee payment with the semester registration to ease the pressure on students who are facing diverse hardships. No student who is unable to currently pay the fee should be kept out of the classes.
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