Chandigarh, Nov. 2 -- After an almost decade-long debate, the Centre has effected a major overhaul in the functioning of the 142-year-old Panjab University (PU), trimming the size of its apex governing body, the senate, to 31, and doing away with elections for its executive body, the syndicate.

Until now, the senate had 97 members while the syndicate members were elected from among the senators. According to the Centre's October 28 notification, effective immediately, the 31 senate members will include 18 elected members, six nominated and seven ex-officio members. Among the elected members will be two eminent alumni and one professor each from the varsity's Arts and Science departments.

Besides, the syndicate elections, where pressure ...