The varsity was forced to issue such a circular because it couldn't intimate colleges in time about the change in the BA degree course of psychology earlier this year.

``We didn't know till late October that the psychology course had been revised at FYBA level. This meant new books had been recommended by the university, and the pattern of examination had been changed. But why didn't the varsity inform us earlier, in June-July?'' asked an FYBA student of R D National College, Bandra.

On the other hand, the Principal of St Andrew's College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Fr A D Mascarenhas, said: ``We had come to know about the change well in advance this academic year, so we're following the revised course.''

Reportedly, many worried principals recentlycontacted varsity officials to find out which course was applicable, as they had not received any official guidelines in this regard.

When contacted on Monday, Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Naresh Chandra admitted there was a slight lapse in communicating the circular to all degree colleges, which is why the confusion took place. ``But the university Academic Council had recently discussed the matter and decided to give colleges an option to either carry on with the old syllabus, or switch to the new course, only for the academic year 1998-99. From next year, we'll definitely introduce the new course at the FYBA level,'' informed Dr Chandra.

Fortunately, though, since the annual FYBA examination is conducted by colleges themselves, the university will be spared of the hassle of setting two psychology papers for the old and revised courses, a university senate member said.