The three deanships -- for students' welfare, foreign students and alumni relations -- have been lying vacant since March 31, even as protests from students continue to pour in from different quarters.

While university students have been largely protesting against the absence of a regular DSW, a delegation of foreign students made a representation to the Secretary to the PU Vice-Chancellor demanding that a regular dean be appointed at the earliest.

The committee consisting of seven syndics, Ashok Goyal, Prof V.K. Bansal, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Dr K.S. Chugh, Dr R.N. Sharma and Dr Deepak Manmohan Singh has failed to take a decision in the past on the appointment of the three deans, sources point out. In fact, on June 17 -- the date of the last meeting which was called off -- there was an unsavoury controversy with members divided into two groups, blaming the others for the stalling the decision. However, with the new academic session round the bend, a decision is likely on July 10, sources point out.

The previous three deans Prof R.S. Grewal (DSW), Prof Ramesh Kakkar (foreign students) and Prof R.C. Sobti (Alumni Relations) relinquished charge on March 31, with the expiry of their respective terms. Since then the Dean University Instructions (DUI) Prof I.B.S. Passi has been holding additional charge of the three deans.