Pune University Senate Slams SPPU Over Faculty Shortage, Budget Issues
Pune, 24th March 2025: The Senate Members of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) have strongly criticized the administration over key issues, including delays in faculty recruitment, stalled academic audits, and excessive expenditure on contractual and visiting faculty.
During the assembly session at SPPU, the Senate members were expected to discuss the 2025-26 budget provisions for student services and infrastructure. However, much of the discussion focused on technical errors and administrative shortcomings in the budget, while concerns such as student accommodations, canteen quality, research programs, and overall university standards received limited attention.
Senate member Prasenjit Fadnavis pointed out that while substantial funds were allocated for international student hostels, local students continued to struggle with inadequate and substandard accommodations. Meanwhile, Senate member Sachin Gorade raised concerns over rural students receiving only 3% of the university’s total budget.
On the second day of the session, discussions were dominated by debates over the exclusion of member rights, protests from workers’ unions inside the hall, and appointments to various committees.
Eventually, the university’s budget was approved with amendments.
Addressing concerns about vacant faculty positions, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Suresh Gosavi stated, “We will take immediate action to fill these positions. Recruitment for professors will begin shortly, following the guidelines issued by the Governor’s office.”
Regarding academic evaluations of university departments and affiliated colleges, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr. Parag Kalkar clarified that the state government had issued guidelines for evaluations, which were already in progress. “Previous evaluations were conducted in 2022, and from April 2025, they will resume as per schedule,” he said.
Dr. Kalkar also acknowledged the staff shortage, particularly in the delayed appointments within the Placement Cell, which had been pending for two years. He assured that the necessary appointments would be completed within three months.
