For this academic year, the university has changed the syllabus for Computer Systems and Applications (an optional subject in TYBCom) and for the Foundation Course (FC) subject taught at the first year level across all three faculties, among others. But the circulars notifying the changes reached the colleges after the academic year. For Computer Applications, the circular was issued on June 3. And for FC, on June 25, after the academic year started on June 16. In fact, the new FC syllabus has not even reached most colleges. Principals also point out that the syllabus will have to be introduced without teachers being made to undergo an orientation course.

While the university says the changes in theFC syllabus are cosmetic, principals point out that the varsity could have easily announced it earlier. Says a principal, ``Usually, at least a year's notification is given before any changes are introduced. If that could not be done, they could have at least informed us before colleges closed for vacation.'' Colleges in other districts affiliated to the university are hit the hardest, the principal adds.

Most colleges have not yet received a copy of the new FC syllabus. Says Principal L S Bhole of Mulund College of Commerce, ``I haven't heard about any changes in the FC syllabus. We are following the earlier one.''

The changes in the Computer Applications paper for TYBCom were also communicated late to the colleges. Says P Unnikrishnan, principal of Vivek College of Commerce, Goregaon, ``We came to know about the new syllabus on June 21, after the classes started. Many new topics have been introduced, for which teachers say they need training.'' Also, with several new topics being introduced, computershave to be upgraded to be made fit for the purpose, he adds.

Students were also not aware of the changed syllabus when the classes started. ``Thirteen students in my college opted out when they learnt about the changes,'' says Unnikrishnan.

However, it is not too late to implement the syllabus, feels principal Bhole. ``Some of the teachers in our college were in the syllabus committee, so we knew about the changes. Others might find it difficult,'' he adds. M H Ajwani, Principal of H R College at Churchgate, says a change in syllabus is ``welcome''. More and more students are opting for computers and the contents do not ``scare them,'' he says. Also, ``Though we received the circulars late, we knew the process was going on,'' he adds.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr Naresh Chandra on the other hand says that in subjects like computers, it is necessary to keep the syllabus updated. Shrugging off questions on the delay, he merely says, ``It was the collective decision of the Academic Council (AC) to implement thesyllabus this year.'' Registrar, Dr P V Pradhan, adds that the AC has representatives from the teaching community and the problems were discussed in detail before the decision was taken.

About the FC syllabus, Vispi Balaporia, a member of the Board of Studies which prepared the syllabus, says: ``We have only reworked it to make it more streamlined.'' Certain new topics were introduced in the Current Affairs Section, and additional books recommended for reference, she says, adding that colleges would not have a problem implementing it as there is not much difference. Orientation courses are also being organised for teachers, university authorities say.