MUMBAI, DEC 4: Close on the heels of students' protest at Lala Lajpatrai College of Commerce and Economics, Haji Ali, collegians at Mithibai College and N M College, Vile Parle, took to the streets today to protest the college management's move to debar them from University of Mumbai's examination.Converging at the University premises, the 150-odd students from both the colleges blamed authorities for ``not informing them'' of the university's rule that those with less than 75 per cent attendance per term cannot appear for the final exam. ``We didn't know we had to attend every lecture, no one told us,'' said a student.Mithibai principal Rupa Shah, rebutting the students' claim, said all the students had been informed of the university's rule right from the beginning of the academic year. According to Shah, ``more than 200 students have been blacklisted for poor attendance.'' But the students claim ``around 740 have been defaulted, and only 61 students have the stipulated attendance.''While the listwas put up in October, students said a couple of days ago the principal advised them to apply for the university's distance education courses, admissions for which reopen on December 7.According to students, the principal two days ago suggested those with over 50 per cent attendance could also fill up forms for the exams - earlier she had allowed only those with 75 per cent attendance to fill them up. But she insisted the students give an undertaking that it's not incumbent upon college authorities to make them appear for the exam. Shah said the risks involved were made clear to students. Students would also have to make up for poor attendance in the second term, something next to impossible, say students.The list of defaulters at NM was put up this evening. Principal M K Desai said there are around 40 students on the list. Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr Naresh Chandra, who advised students to settle the matter with their respective principals, said, ``Students should have 75 per cent attendance at the termend. The rule cannot be changed.''Stalemate at Lala's endsA compromise formula has been worked out at Lala Lajpatrai College of Commerce and Economics, Haji Ali, after students protested the college authorities' move to debar them from exams due to poor attendance. Principal M G Shirahatti said the students who have defaulted have been asked to ensure 100 per cent attendance in other terms to make up for the loss in the first term. He added the students had also withdrawn their charge that the records were manipulated.
