Thursday, 18 September, 2025
The upcoming RUCSU election, the first in over three decades, has drawn criticism over the dominant roles of the vice chancellor and treasurer.
A student panel, Sarbojonin Shikkharthi Sangsad, has vowed in its manifesto to curb the “unrestricted power” of the VC and introduce greater checks and balances within the student council.
The panel argues that the vice chancellor should be elected through the Senate, rather than automatically holding an absolute position by virtue of office, signaling a push for more democratic governance in the university’s administration.
With the election scheduled for Sept 25, student organisations, independent panels, and candidates have already begun their campaigns across the campus, presenting their manifestos and making pledges about representing students' interests. The race is heating up, as candidates compete to show how effectively they can serve the student. body.
CONSTITUTION AND PROVISIONS
Out of the 25 central positions, 23 are actively being contested, though two positions -- president and treasurer -- remain vacant without any candidates, campaigning, or manifestos.
Despite the title of “central students’ union”, the president’s and treasurer’s roles are filled by the university’s VC and a faculty member, respectively.
These positions are automatically designated by virtue of office, with the vice chancellor serving as president of the student parliament and a faculty member assuming the role of treasurer.
Although unelected, both offices wield “absolute power” under the RUCSU Constitution.
Chapter 12 of the Constitution empowers the president to chair all meetings and oversee the implementation of activities in accordance with the Constitution. The president can take necessary action during emergencies, interpret constitutional provisions definitively, suspend members, or even dissolve the executive committee entirely, calling for fresh elections if required.
Furthermore, any decision made by elected representatives requires the VC’s approval to be valid.
The VC holds the power to temporarily suspend RUCSU activities, although subsequent approval from the Syndicate is required.
The treasurer, elected from among university faculty after the president’s election, is responsible for managing the union’s finances and approving all budget allocations.
SENATE STRUCTURE
The last Senate election at Rajshahi University was held in 2018, but it only elected faculty representatives.
According to the 1973 ordinance, the VC serves as the Senate’s president, with two pro-vice-chancellors and the treasurer as members by virtue of office.
The Senate is comprised of 104 members, including elected faculty and student representatives. However, the student representatives have been absent due to the prolonged suspension of RUCSU, and other positions remain vacant, further limiting student involvement in the university’s governance.
Comments
The upcoming RUCSU election, the first in over three decades, has drawn criticism over the dominant roles of the vice chancellor and treasurer.
A student panel, Sarbojonin Shikkharthi Sangsad, has vowed in its manifesto to curb the “unrestricted power” of the VC and introduce greater checks and balances within the student council.
The panel argues that the vice chancellor should be elected through the Senate, rather than automatically holding an absolute position by virtue of office, signaling a push for more democratic governance in the university’s administration.
With the election scheduled for Sept 25, student organisations, independent panels, and candidates have already begun their campaigns across the campus, presenting their manifestos and making pledges about representing students' interests. The race is heating up, as candidates compete to show how effectively they can serve the student. body.
CONSTITUTION AND PROVISIONS
Out of the 25 central positions, 23 are actively being contested, though two positions -- president and treasurer -- remain vacant without any candidates, campaigning, or manifestos.
Despite the title of “central students’ union”, the president’s and treasurer’s roles are filled by the university’s VC and a faculty member, respectively.
These positions are automatically designated by virtue of office, with the vice chancellor serving as president of the student parliament and a faculty member assuming the role of treasurer.
Although unelected, both offices wield “absolute power” under the RUCSU Constitution.
Chapter 12 of the Constitution empowers the president to chair all meetings and oversee the implementation of activities in accordance with the Constitution. The president can take necessary action during emergencies, interpret constitutional provisions definitively, suspend members, or even dissolve the executive committee entirely, calling for fresh elections if required.
Furthermore, any decision made by elected representatives requires the VC’s approval to be valid.
The VC holds the power to temporarily suspend RUCSU activities, although subsequent approval from the Syndicate is required.
The treasurer, elected from among university faculty after the president’s election, is responsible for managing the union’s finances and approving all budget allocations.
SENATE STRUCTURE
The last Senate election at Rajshahi University was held in 2018, but it only elected faculty representatives.
According to the 1973 ordinance, the VC serves as the Senate’s president, with two pro-vice-chancellors and the treasurer as members by virtue of office.
The Senate is comprised of 104 members, including elected faculty and student representatives. However, the student representatives have been absent due to the prolonged suspension of RUCSU, and other positions remain vacant, further limiting student involvement in the university’s governance.
Comments
