Merit and Ethics, the IIMC way

A big stand by IIMC. The big business schools would do well to create a system where the degree of an alumnus could be recalled or nullified for significant ethical infractions. It should be made clear that an alumnus can use a degree but can also lose it, and has a responsibility to uphold the integrity of the institution.

IIMC denies awards to 8 for indiscipline - The Times of India: "KOLKATA: When state institutes are finding it tough to implement discipline on campuses, the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) has set a precedent by deciding against honouring eight students, all within top 20, with awards they would have ideally bagged had it not been for their indicipline.
The board of governors (BoG), which met on Saturday before the 46th annual convocation, debated long before finally pronouncing the "exemplary punishment" for the students on disciplinary grounds such as short attendance (less than 75%) and proxy presence. Even the topper of 2009-11 batch failed to find his name in the Director's merit list.

"We met to ratify the results, which were then put forward before the BOG by the faculty council. After discussing various aspects, we decided to implement the punishment because an institute like IIMC not only imparts education of the highest order but also aims at churning out responsible employees," said principal secretary of higher education and BoG member Satish Tiwary.

Initially, the faculty had decided not only to deny students the awards but also prohibit them from taking up jobs. "However, we didn't want be so harsh in delivering punishment for the very first time. We decided to set an example by denying them their awards," added a faculty member.

IIM has done what no state- run college has been able to do implement discipline on campus despite students failing to achieve the required attendance. At institutes like Gokhale Memorial Girls' College, Jogomaya Devi College and Basanti Devi College, authorities have been heckled and traffic disrupted over students refusing to accept Calcutta University's guideline of meeting 75% attendance to appear in the university exam.

"IIMC students find takers from some of the biggest companies in the corporate world. We want to be known to our recruiters as an institute where discipline is ingrained in students. Moral standards are very important and play a crucial role in building up careers. We wanted to give out the message, loud and clear, that only merit cannot bring them honour, it is important to understand social ethics too," said a senior PGP faculty member. ..."