The Syndicate, which usually meets at least twice a year, deliberates on key administrative issues, including reforms, fee-related matters and faculty accountability. According to sources in the University, the October Syndicate meeting took a crucial decision to remove Registrar J Prakash following allegations of corruption and misconduct.

The sources said concerns about alleged corrupt activities involving 12 other officials were also raised during the meeting, which was subsequently reported to the State government.

As per practice, the minutes of Syndicate meetings are uploaded on the Anna University website under the administration section within two months. While the minutes of earlier meetings were published within the stipulated period, the September meeting records have not been made public even after over three months.

A senior University official said that Syndicate meetings are generally held behind closed doors. However, the official said it was unclear why the minutes had not been uploaded so far, adding that the records might not have been finalised.

Association of University Teachers vice chairman and professor P Thirunavukkarasu told DT Next that Syndicate members may not have approved the publication of the latest minutes to remain on the “safe side” and conceal certain issues. He also recalled an instance in which a professor from the State-run Periyar University in Salem was dismissed after sharing minutes of a meeting with the media, a matter that is currently before the court.

Echoing similar concerns, State Platform for Common School System–Tamil Nadu general secretary PB Prince Gajendra Babu said the delay in publishing the minutes raised suspicion. “If there is nothing wrong, the University should place the facts in the public domain. Transparency is essential, particularly in higher educational institutions,” he said.