CU yet to elect student representatives in senate in 52 years

For over half a century, Chittagong University (CU) has been governed without a single student voice in its highest policymaking body, the Senate, despite the law mandating their inclusion.

The Chittagong University Ordinance, 1973 designates the Senate as the university's supreme policymaking authority and explicitly reserves five seats for elected student representatives.

Yet, since its establishment in 1966, CU has never held an election to fill those positions.

According to the ordinance, members elected to the Chittagong University Central Students' Union (Cucsu) or hall unions cannot automatically serve in the Senate; a separate election must be held.

While some universities conduct both polls simultaneously, CU has never done so, even after reviving its long-dormant student union election this year following a 35-year hiatus.

As a result, the university's most crucial decisions, ranging from academic policy to financial planning, have continued without formal student participation.

Section 22 of the Chittagong University Act, 1973 outlines the composition of the Senate, which consists of 102 members including the vice-chancellor, pro-vice-chancellor, government officials, lawmakers, educationists, college teachers, registered graduates, and five elected student representatives.

Clause "Tha" specifically mandates that "five student representatives elected by the students of the university shall be members of the Senate". Their tenure lasts one year or ends upon graduation.

The university's Statute 4 clearly defines the election process: the vice-chancellor fixes the date, the returning officer announces the schedule at least 15 days in advance, and voting must be held by secret ballot.

Yet, according to CU's Election Office, no record exists of any such election ever taking place, not even during the last Cucsu election in 1990.

A senior university official confirmed that "since its founding, Chittagong University has never organised a student representative election for the Senate".

Even many current Cucsu candidates appeared unaware of the provision.

Mahfuzur Rahman, VP candidate of the Swatantra Shikkharthi Sammelan panel, said, "Most of us assumed that the candidates elected through Cucsu would automatically become members of the Senate. However, a separate election is required for Senate membership, which many of us were unaware of."

"The university administration did not provide us with any clear information on this matter either. Without student representatives, this Cucsu election cannot be considered fully legitimate. We want the university administration to ensure the election of student representatives to the Senate after the Cucsu polls."

Cucsu Chief Election Commissioner Prof Monir Uddin said, "According to the university act, five Senate members are supposed to be elected from among the representatives elected in the Cucsu polls. The election should be held simultaneously with the Cucsu election. However, as the university administration did not issue any directive in this regard, the Election Commission did not conduct the Senate member election."

Vice-Chancellor Prof Muhammad Yeahia Akhter said the administration plans to address the issue soon.

"The administration is giving utmost priority to the ongoing elections. We plan to take steps to hold the student representative election for the Senate right after the Cucsu polls," he said.

Dhruv Barua, VP candidate of the Boichitroer Oikko panel, added, "One key issue missing from the Cucsu discussion is how the elected representatives will gain access to the Senate, as neither the university ordinance nor the constitution provides any guidance on this.

As a result, even if elected, there is no guarantee that the representatives will be able to negotiate with the administration in the Senate on behalf of the students. So far, no discussion has taken place on this matter. If they cannot reach the Senate, the election's effectiveness for the students will be severely limited."