St Xavier’s junior college may move to school campus

MUMBAI: Starting with the academic year in 2016, the junior college section of St Xavier’s College, Fort, may move to a new address, St Xavier’s High School.
The proposal has not gone down well with the students, alumni and lecturers. Many of them expressed their views on social media. A Facebook page titled ‘Ghar Wapsi-Back to School’ mentioned: “…the existing umbilical link between St Xavier’s senior college and junior college has been severed.” The Facebook page stated that the decision was not taken in consultation with the junior college teaching staff.
“Junior college is such an integral part of St Xavier’s. If I was in junior college right now, I would not be happy at all,” said Alisha Fernandes, a third year student said.
Faculty members said it will take away two crucial years of college “experience” from the students. “During their time in junior college, students build a rapport with their seniors and get a chance to participate in various cultural activities. It helps in the development of the students,” said Avkash Jadhav, a lecturer at the college. However, college principal Father Frazer Mascarenhas said it was a proposal and will be finalized in the next year. “We are just proposing to move from 2016. One of the reasons is lack of space. Also, now the senior college is autonomous while the junior college section is attached to the state board so it would be best to move it to the school campus.” The college received autonomy from the University Grant Commission in 2011.
Authorities are sure that the move will not affect the students adversely. “There is a shortcut between the school and college and students are moving only 70m away,” said Father Francis Swamy, manager, St Xavier’s school.