A Case study on St Xaviers college in India

A Case study on St Xaviers college in IndiaSt. Xaviers college is located in southeastern Bombay or SoBo as its c in completelyed which has a re any toldy distinct culture of its own. Kids fuck off to this college non but from different portions of Mumbai, solely India and point from inappropriate countries. Each brings with them their own culture that take offtually pours into the seething, dynamic culture of Xaviers enriching it.We give the gate deconstruct the culture of Xaviers under the following runics which will eventually study us to the imp mold of Xaviers culture.A common thread running by means of with(predicate) activities at Xaviers is excellence both academic and non academic. Academia at Xaviers follows the domain syl testing groundus (before autonomy) and has right a vogue expanded to include newer schools of thought and added research. The existence of the honours degree broadcast which is an extra credit course is a manifestation of the occupy fo r some(prenominal)thing extra. Each surgical incision is allowed a week in which to showcase the exertion theyve d 1 and sh ar it with the college students and even students of other(a) colleges. A im historic period from that from each adept department has a film week dedicated to them where all Xavierites be back up to att polish off and contri juste. Theyre all for a holistic education. This ripe means that students, their pargonnts and professors at Xaviers al styles expect and contri excepte more than what is stipulated. E real activity/ talents at Xaviers is encouraged at some form or a nonher. thither atomic material body 18 various clubs for film studies, firm, photography, the Indian Music Group and even hearty work with thither being a tangible finishing every club works to towards the end, resembling a festival of sorts. peradventure one of the biggest of these events is Malhar, the annual college festival of Xaviers with colleges from all over India parti cipating and some from abroad. This is one of the biggest mixers and icebreakers that Xaviers kids down since each vertical recruits in the beginning of the college year. Xavierites ar also active participants in other college events and more often than not winning accolades and other merit. Students ar encouraged to be a part of AISEC and the Mumbai chapter of the MUN. Xavierites play every sport imaginable and the gym is ever so bombinate with activity.Every split up is allowed a Khadala trip, to the Xaviers villa at Khandala to conduct a seminar. This is meaningful e excessly for first year students because this is where they actually come up to populate each other better and settle down as a sectionalization picking friends who theyll spend 3 years with and roughly often hold up friends for life with. Another event is the rural camp which the Social suffice League (SSL) organizes.Apart from this they give birth exchange programmes with foreign colleges. They also acquit tie-ups with local NGOs where students argon expected to under abbreviate 60 hours of voluntary kindly ser delinquency as part of their Social Involvement Programme (SIP). fleshly ARTIFACTSOne of the main enduring images of the culture at Xaviers is the building with its knightly architecture and rough stone walls. Every arch and gargoyle is dear to kids poring over in that respect even years later they pass out. Shobha De, an alumnus of the college, public speaking at the 140th anniversary celebrations said, the very edifice and rock of Xaviers, apart(predicate) from the memories, is why we hurry back whenever theres an prospect. To see the lives we celebrated here, our glorious years, the walls now resound with 140 years of stories and whisper it to us when we listen closely. sit in a high-ceilinged, wooden floored classroom as a fan spins lazily overhead while students intently listen to or discuss in class is what nearly concourse remember around the classes. In terms of physical spaces, the foyer, woods (ironically with 2 and a half(prenominal) trees), the arches, library and chapel are levels where the kids spend free period or hangout after class. This is where they interact with each other, not fitting good deal from their class or department. The foyer is a hive of activity and is where approximately of the eating takes place.Oddly enough, so is Father Terrys room. Father Terence Quadros is perhaps one of the luckiest priests on campus. This on campus counsellor is who about of the women (and some men) on campus acetify to to pour their heart out, sift through their troubles or just take a nap. His office has cushions, rocking chairs, lazy chairs, blankets, medicines, soft toys and a willing ear. behavioral PSYCHOLOGICALTo be very honest, Xavierites restrain an air about them. Theyre not necessarily snobbish but as Pearl Fernandes, a ternion Year Mass Media student, puts it, We feel we give way a right to act the way we d o because somehow we feel superior. It isnt a superiority decomposable but were cool akin that. bulk assume that if youre from Xaviers that take aims you automatically smart, socially responsible (fill in every superlative adjective).Everything conveys this attitude, from the way they let out to the way they fix.Xavierites are distinctly divided into groups ir individual of what theyre studying. Each group dresses and be hands likewise but all-in-all theyre coloured with the self resembling(prenominal) Xaviers brush. You have the Jocks kids who play multiple sports and have a fit, athletic toned body. It doesnt only refer to men but the women also. They usually dress in track pants (or shorts in the morning if theyre playing) and vests. therefore you have the cheerleaders. Theyre not really cheerleaders but theyre size is in binary digits i.e. either 1 or 0 and they dress like models (actually some even are models). They are characterized by styled hair, manicured hands, a la mode dressing and perfect accessories and agree-up. The drama-lit group are plenty who are part of the drama club and flock who write irrespective if theyre taken English lit or not. They usually congregate on the club steps and tree trunks to sit and discuss a new book, movie or play. They dress in kurtas and jeans and tote jholas. The women cull having an Indian waitress about them be it wooden earrings or a thick metal kada with their hair tied in a bun. then theres the science group whore busy completing journals all through their break trying to stuff their mouths with something before another long posing of practicals begin. They may or may not be wearing lab coats but in their bags they have all hokum pokum stuff like nichrome wires, vials of goop to test and petri dishes or something. Then there are the medicinal drugians. People who die to a band either in Xaviers or remote or play an instrument arepart of this group. Theyre easily identify by their guitar or violin cases and in some internet sites even the risible synthesizer or drum-sticks. Theyre also trailed by their groupies who could also be part of the cheerleaders. These guys sit around the BCR (boys common room) practicing or singing or doing something musical. Then you have the Goths and sloths. People whove made crumpled clothes a means statement. Theyre fashionably messily dressed, mismatch day is every day and theyre for the most part socially inclined. Another large group is the behenji group. These are kids (mostly women) who dress simple, crude and part their hair and behave like theyre already 40. Then there are the dope-heads who more often than not also belong to the abovementioned groups (excluding the behenjis whod give birth a heart attack if accused of such a thing). in that respect are also the dancers who include the cool b boys, hip hop, coeval dancers etc that win every competition and perform at every occasion. They look like theyve just finished sh ooting for Step Up 2 the streets.Everybody at Xaviers in highly sociable and talk to each other but there are clear cut definitions of who will talk to who. Like the dancers would never talk to the behenjis who would never talk to the dope-heads who would be unattended by the cheerleaders etc. like every organization, Xaviers has its own pecking tack and administration is rampant.Peer pressure has a huge impact on the way tribe behave at Xaviers. At this age, friends are everything. People use date someone their friends dont approve of etc.The Holy Trinity i.e. the CP, and 2 VCPs of Malhar are treated like Gods. Theyre the most coveted positions in all the land. Student council be damned, people pray to be elected to the top 3. Its almost like being controlnt and ruler at the said(prenominal) time.One weird custom that Xavierites have is when theyre hanging out in the foyer and a glass bottle breaks they all clap. Shuba, a ternary year Microbiology Student says, no matter ho w stupid you think it is in your head, when the bottle breaks all your snobbishness goes out of the window and you clap just like the rest, grinning all the while. Its fun.VALUES, SCHEMAS MEANINGSXavierites, on campus, are highly disciplined. They have this ingrained discipline bone that doesnt allow them to be truly disruptive. non to say that they dont toe the line or dont rebel when they feel it infallible, they do. scarce catch one of them driving drunk or brawling in the street. It hasnt happened yet. in that locations an offhanded code of ethics that no one need tell you. You just feel it when youre initiated as a student.Another sort of common savvy is that no one plays any(prenominal) game in the first quadrilateral (1st quad) during college hours. It isnt forbidden by the admin but the kids realize that the first quad is surrounded by classes and it might get disrupted.The kids also have a no littering policy and kids who litter soon learn they have to obey the n orm or peer pressure will see that they conform.The kids are also highly intolerant of extremist ideologies or inclinations other than Star Wars and churchman of the Rings and Gossip Girl. They respect peoples opinions but wont have it gorge on them. Which is also why poor piffling Aditya Thakeray discovers himself friend slight and only after his protesting debacle.2.Its mission proper is its dedication to research, teaching and the various forms of heathenish service, as the indispensable horizon and context for a genuine pstockpile, mutation and communication of knowledge and human values, to strive for an intellectual endeavour that focuses on critical and creative thinking, with the aim of social transformation.Functional Aspects of St. Xaviers College1. AttendanceSt. Xaviers very finickyly follows the 75% attendance rule for each subject as dictated by the Maharashtra board of Education the University of Mumbai. Attendance is nonindulgently taken by the professor in charge at the start/ end of each lecture in order to ensure that no procurator attendance is given. At the end of each month they come up with a black list of attendance defaulters as a sample to those falling short of attendance. And at the end of each semester they come up with a defaulters list which includes the names of students who have defaulted on attendance throughout the semester. Such students are then requested to meet with the principal of the college and are also required to call their parents to college for a meeting with the principal. So strict they are about their attendance that many defaulters of attendance at the twelfth Grade in the college are refused admissions to the degree college at St. Xaviers.2. Beyond the text BookIn line with the research inclination that St. Xaviers possesses, even students are encouraged to seek knowledge beyond what is achieved from the prescribed text books. For this they have in place an Honours Programme- a one of its kind prog ramme which isnt offered by any other college in the city of Mumbai. Here students are encouraged to engage into small scale research studies, do written report presentations, attend seminars and lectures organised by the college for which the students are given credits. Thus this gives the students an opportunity to learn beyond their own specializations as credits across verticals tidy sum also qualify the student for the Honours Certificate. Thus St. Xaviers is an organisation that greatly emphasizes vitality and growth3. Cultural ActivitiesSt. Xaviers College, Mumbai has been judged the best college for all round instruction by many surveys conducted only because of the attention it pays to extra-curricular activities like performing humanistic discipline literary humanities. It also plays hosts at Malhar- the oldest and most popular under alumnus college festival where it encourages students from other colleges to participate in the various events that take place during Malhar. The college also gives a platform to students who are pertained in theatre to pageantry their talents during the theatre festival -Ithaka. There are numerous opportunities provided to the students to display their talents both on and off campus. Active encouragement and financial hold back is provided to the students for the same. Students are provided platforms to display their managerial abilities by organising Malhar, Ithaka Jan Fest- the annual classical music concert held on campus each year. Thus St. Xaviers contrary to popular public opinion doesnt incline itself only towestern values and art but encourages its students to be sensitive to other cultural and traditional forms of art. They have a pie-eyed sense of purpose which is excellence in the fields of academics and beyond.4. Sensitivity to the less fortunateBeing an institution run by Jesuit priests, St. Xaviers has been very actively involved in the upliftment of less fortunate people and others with speci al needs. They have a number of social societies on campus like the social service league that undertake blood donation drives and visits to old age homes on a frequent basis. This develops a sense of sensitivity among the students to those who arent as blessed as them. In addition to this, St. Xaviers also houses the Xaviers Resource shopping centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC) which provides equipment and other aids for the visually challenged students to learn and mould the strong process of learning, reading and writing easier. St. Xaviers College therefore is an institution that supposes that world class education is the right of people even with physical handicaps and undertakes efforts to minimise the soreness they may experience in a setting where everyone else does not portray the problems they do. St. Xaviers College has the Social Involvement Programme (SIP) which is a mandatory prerequisite to be eligible for the Honours Certificate at the end of Degree Colle ge. on a lower floor this programme students have dedicate a certain number of hours per week working at non profit organisation or undertake any other form of social work and maintain a diary with their learnings from the same. St. Xaviers College therefore makes its students realise that for all that they are lucreing from the society they are probable to give back something to it as well. Thus St. Xaviers tries to emphasize growth not only in externally and mentally, but spiritually as well.5. MentorshipThere is an informal mentorship program in place for all students at St. Xaviers. No faculty or admin member is inaccessible to the students of the college. There is constant direction given from various people be it spiritual, career guidance or even counselling. Students are constantly made aware of newer career opportunities and are encouraged to hone their skills in various fields. They provide guidance not only during the time they are in college but also after they pass out. The areas of discussion are not related just to academics and careers but also move beyond them like relationships and families. Professors behave more like friends rather than instructors. The aim of all round development of the students trickles down to the concluding level of the teaching pecking order, which is the aim in almost every student- teacher interaction. Thus there is great tolerance for expression which is reason they believe that it is central to all round development of each student.Dysfunctional Aspects of St. Xaviers College1. privation of transparency at the time of survival of volunteers at Malhar.The hierarchy at Malhar is suchPresident wrong-doing President (Conclave)Vice President (Management)Vice President (Events)OCs(Organising committee)OCs(Organising committee)OCs(Organising committee)OGsOrganiserOGsOrganiserReservationVolunteersVolunteersAt the presidential and vice presidential level, appointment takes places after the faculty members intervie w potential lotdidates. natural endurance therefore takes place on the basis of merit after considering the achievements and documentation of each candidate. However as one moves lower in the hierarchy, selection is up to the discretion of the people just above them. as a result appointment to the OC, OG and volunteer level mostly takes place on the basis of favouritism. Malhar therefore for quite some time has had a harmful name for the politics underlying the selection procedure as there are no set rules, guidelines or measurings for selection into the various verticals. thereof sometime students are left pretty confused as they have no reasons as to why they did not get into the departments of their selection. It is a small-scale bewildering for the freshers in the college, especially because there is a lot of ambiguity in the selection procedure and they are not aware about what just needs to be done to get into the department of ones choice.2. No hostel for girl student s.St. Xaviers College is a very popular college for many aspiring students all over the country. There are many students who do not belong to Mumbai but come from as far as the North tocopherol and Kerala. This includes an equal mix of both boys and girls. However they St. Xaviers College does not have nutrition for a girls hostel on campus. Even during the days preceding Malhar, when it is short essential to have manpower on campus to ensure the smooth exertion of the festival, permission is easily granted to boys to stay over on the campus, but not for women who are expected to look in the vicinity outside(a) campus for accommodation. This is done because of some traditional and moral values that the Jesuit priests mystify to religiously. They do not encourage the intermingling of sexes beyond a certain point. And even though it may be troublesome for the girl students at generation like these, they are quite unwilling to bend the rules.3. Too ofttimes stress and few set for desired specializationsSt. Xaviers College is one of the best colleges for arts and science in the country. However the number of seats available for the most popular and in demand specializations is very few. Therefore there is wide competition and stress in order to get those coveted seats. The level of stress is very high during the second year of Degree College which is the most crucial part of the entire 3 year degree course. Students are expected to be actively involved in the department work, make paper presentations and excel in academics. A minor glitch in any of these areas may cost them a seat in their choice of specialization. Thus the level of stress is very high during this period. It breeds competition among peers and creates and restlessness which is only placated only after final selection.4. ReservationsSt. Xaviers College being a Catholic institution was built for the purpose of serving the minority Christian community. nether provisions made by the central government, educational institutions can withstand up to 50% of their seats for minority communities. Therefore St. Xaviers College also applies the same and 50% of the seats are reserved for the Christian community. This is a situation that is prevalent among most other educational institutions in the city. It creates an unfair good to those who belong to the particular community. In the same class there can be students who havent done equally well in the same examination and have been admitted because of the reservation strategy. The level of achievement and science is not the same among the students. And the same parameters are not placed equally for all students to gain admission to a particular course.3.ACTIONS PLANS 1. Lack of transparency in the selection procedure for Malhara. Formalise a set of rules, procedures and pre- requisites essential in order to qualify for the various positions at Malhar.b. Have an admin/ faculty member preside over each selection procedure af ter college hours.c. Undertake a training programme to sensitise the students higher up in the Malhar hierarchy to the various nuances and aspects of the selection procedure. This would enlighten them on how to effectively select people who would be an asset to the various verticals.d. Establish a punitive outline or a watchdog or some sort of feedback outline in place in order to ensure that the set procedures are being followed.e. Conduct orientation sessions for the volunteers on the process of selection and the people to approach in case the procedures arent being followed.f. However it is essential that the students in the organising committees have some say in the selection procedure. There should always be room for them to use their own intuitions and discretion. Malhar shouldnt become a centrally controlled organisation as it has always been a student run body in the college.2. No hostel for girl students.a. firstly there is a great need to enlighten both faculty and stude nts on the rationale behind the refusal to permit girls to stay overnight on campus.b. a discourse essential take place between these parties putting forward their concerns and reasons their respective requests and demands.c. the administrations essential consider relaxing the rules under special circumstances when it is suddenly essential that the girl students stay on campus. For instance, the days preceding Malhar Jan Fest.d. The college must(prenominal)iness also have tie ups with various womens hostels in the vicinity and must assist female student in acquiring accommodation. When a particular hostel is vouched for by the management of the college, the parents of these students are more likely to find them reliable and will probably not worry about the refuge and well being of their children.3. Too much stress and few seats for desired specializationsa. given the rising amount of stress and the consequences faced among students of standard tenth and twelfth, it has bec ome imperative that the college increase the number of seats for the most popular and in demand specializations. No person should be denied a seat in any specialization since it is the question of their careers and mark obtained in an exam are too shallow a deciding federal agent in imposing a life changing decision on a particular candidate.b. it is essential to have occasional briefing sessions on the progress of each student during the entire year and let him know his chances of making it to the department of his choice. He/ she should be told explicitly of what are the necessary requirements to get the specialization.c. the teachers must be trained to identify signs of stress among the students and must seek professional help (which is available on campus) lest it get worse.d. professors must consider reducing the burden on the students in terms of the number of assignments and paper presentation which the student believe are mandatory to get the specializations of their choic e. Rather it would make sense to have an adroitness test and interest tests at the end of the second year of college to seek the people who have the most aptitude and interest in the specific area of study.4. Reservationsa. The college must refrain from having a reservation system in place as it does not create a level playing field for all aspirants into a particular course. If St. Xaviers aims to be a world class educational institution it must aim to seek the best minds in the country, which would only be possible if all the students have the same level of aptitude, intelligence and achievement.b. Even if the college finds it absolutely essential to have a reservation system in place, in keeping with the purpose of establishment of the institution, it is necessary for them to make sure that there is a minimum cut off of marks obtained by the student in order to ensure that the best minds who are par with each other are interacting in class. It seems a little unfair when a studen t with 70% (as a result of the reservation system) is in the same class with the student who has scored 85% and has struggled to barely make it to the course. It would inculcate among the students a belief that hard work is essential when one aims to rub shoulders with the best in the country in a autopsy institution for humanities and sciences in the country.c. It would also be beneficial if St. Xaviers had an self-governing aptitude exam that for all aspirants to the various courses in the college. This would reduce any discrepancy if any among people coming from various boards of education and among people applying under different quotas. This creates a level playing field for all aspirants and ensures that the college has selected candidates after putting them through an in house reliable aptitude exam.