In Conversation w/ SAC

We had the pleasure of hosting key members from the Student Academic Committee (SAC) for an insightful interview. Joining us were 

• Asvika, the Secretary of SAC; 

• Anushka, the Batch Representative (BR) for BAPS Batches 23 and 24; 

• Noor, the BR for BAPS Batch 22; 

• Tanish, the BR for BADFP Batch 22; and 

• Abhinav, the BR for BAGA Batch 22. 
  

The interview provided an opportunity to better understand the roles and responsibilities of SAC members, as well as the valuable work they do to support the academic interests of their peers.

During the discussion, SAC members shared their experiences and the challenges they face in representing their respective batches. They also highlighted ways in which students can effectively engage with the committee to address academic concerns, fostering a collaborative and supportive academic environment.

Unfortunately, a few key representatives were absent from the interview. These include Mannat Maitan (BR for BAGA 23 and 24), Sneha Khurana (BR for BADFP 23 and 24), and Aditya Gulati (BR for MADLB 23 and 24).

Question: When and how should a student reach out to the Student Academic Committee?

Asvika: Students with queries should first reach out to their CR (Class Representative). If the CR deems necessary, they can involve the BR (Batch Representative), and together they bring it up to the Secretary. The Secretary will then take the matter to the Academic Office.  

Noor: Students can reach out to us through phone calls, WhatsApp texts, or whatever is convenient. For Batch 22, since there’s only one section, it’s easy for students to reach out as we all know each other. 

Question: What is the hierarchy a student should follow when addressing an academic concern? 

Anushka: Like Asvika’s  answer, students should first contact their CR. The CR will then reach out to the BR, and together, they can bring the issue to the Student Academic Committee (SAC). Students are encouraged not to approach the Academic Office directly, as that is the SAC's responsibility. 

Abhinav: Students should first contact their CR. If the CR believes the issue needs to be escalated, they reach out to the BR. If neither the CR nor BR can handle the concern, they reach out to the SAC Secretary, who may then contact the Academic Office.  

Question: What are some challenges you've encountered during your term?

Asvika: One major challenge is that students aren't aware of the Student Academic Committee’s role, so they end up directly emailing the Academic or Examinations Office, which leads to a large influx of emails for them to handle. Sometimes, students contact the Student Council instead, which adds to their workload. Our job is to ease that burden by handling academic issues. 

Noor: One of the biggest challenges is that students are unaware of the SAC’s existence and end up contacting the council or the Academic Office directly. This adds an extra step in solving the issue, as we need to reach out to them individually to redirect their queries. 

Question: What solutions are you implementing to address these challenges? 

Asvika: We are reaching out through emails to CRs to ensure the class knows who their BRs are and informing the council. We're also talking to Professor Nupur and Professor Hebatallah. 

Noor: We talk to the students directly and remind them that contacting the Academic Office won’t help, and it’s easier to approach us. For Batch 22, it’s easier since we know each other well. 

Question: How do you plan to introduce the Student Academic Committee to first-year students? 

Anushka: Since I have a class with the freshers weekly, I maintain regular communication with them through a group I've made. I also have their contact details and reach out to them to address any concerns. 

Question: Are there any changes to academic policies this semester? 

Asvika: Yes, there’s a new attendance policy for medical leave. To avail of medical leave, students must have a minimum of 55% attendance. The SAC has sent out an email with the JGU policy handbook, and the Academic Office has also sent it. It’s helpful if students refer to this handbook before reaching out with common questions about exams or improvement exams. 

Tanish: Yes, the policy book includes changes such as the new 55% attendance policy for medical leave and the ability to carry forward internal marks. We’ve encouraged students to refer to the policy book and reach out to us if needed. 

Question: What are your opinions on the new 55% attendance policy for medical leave? 

Asvika: We haven’t received any feedback from students yet. We can only act once we receive complaints or hear conversations about it. Our role is to inform students about such changes and address issues that arise with the Academic Office. 

Question: Do you support these policy changes? 

Noor: We evaluate academic policies based on student feedback. So far, we haven’t received any complaints from students, so it’s hard to say if we support or oppose the policies without knowing how they’re affecting the students. 

Question: What distinguishes a CR from a BR? 

Anushka: CRs primarily handle issues related to their specific class, such as communication with professors. BRs handle broader academic concerns like exam schedules or elective-related problems that involve multiple classes or batches. 

Question: : What are some key academic concerns you often have to deal with? 

Abhinav: We face a lot of queries during elective bidding, such as students being confused about course selections or bidding portals not working. There are also frequent questions about exam schedules and re-sits, especially from graduating students regarding transcripts. 

Question:  Can you share a funny academic concern you've received? 

Asvika: We once had a senior who wrote to everyone, including the Vice-Chancellor, asking to write an exam from his car because he was too sick to attend in person. He wanted to take the exam before October to party with his friends! 

Anushka: A student once asked if he could change all his electives one month into the semester, even though it’s not possible. 

Question: How does one apply to join the Student Academic Committee? 

Asvika: After the Student Council elections at the end of the academic year, we send out applications. To apply, students need a minimum CGPA of 7/8, a statement of purpose, and they must go through an interview with the SAC members and the Student Council. 

Question:  What qualities do you look for in a new SAC member?  

Asvika: We look for someone academically aware, proactive, and communicative. Familiarity with the SAC charter is important, as well as being able to interact with people across different batches and the Academic Office. 

Question: As a graduating batch, how do you distinguish between the roles of a CR and BR? 

Noor: Since there’s no CR in our batch, I act as both CR and BR. 

Tanish: We need to ensure CRs understand their responsibilities and the SAC’s role to better communicate it to students. 

Question: Tanish, now that you are the senior-most SAC member for DFP (Diplomacy & Foreign Policy), what goals do you have for your juniors? 

Tanish: When I first joined, there were many new courses that the SAC representatives hadn’t gone through. My goal is to ensure juniors are well informed and prepared to handle course-specific issues better. 

Question: Do you have any electives you’d like to endorse?  

Noor: I would encourage people to go through the list of electives, and the cross electives, as I am someone who has interest in theoretical courses, JIBS electives have been of interest to me.  Do not miss out on reading through the course manuals. 

Abhinav:  Cinema and society is a good elective.  

Tanish: You may think the course is not good, but they may be good. JSJC has good electives 

Question: What are tips for bidding electives?  

Noor:  Keep a check on the elective bidding board, use your laptops, star the courses you want to choose, and don't pay for courses!  Please be paranoid, wake up half and hour before.

Tanish: Please go through the course manuals, as sometimes the course names aren't the perfect reflection of its contents. Use your laptop for course bidding, please don't use your phones.

Abhinav: Make friends in other schools who can give you more insight into the expectations of a course.