Where Power meets Responsibility ...

Here I am again, with yet another story about hall life in Madras Christian College. Do not blame me guys, you think of 10 stories about MCC, at least 7 will involve hall life in one way or the other. So what's the fundamental difference between a hall and a hostel? Among several factors, the most significant determinant is the self governing arrangement consisting of students themselves. The decision making powers are left with the students and their leaders in such a system. And I must say MCC's confidence in the calibre and conscience of its students has no peers. Each hall is governed by its own cabinet, consisting of student representatives.

The pattern of administration differs according to the type of constitution followed by each hall (for instance, we have St.Thomas's Hall following a constitution modelled on the very Indian constitution whereas Selaiyur Hall following a British type constitution). However, every hall has got a similar parliamentary kind of arrangement, better known as General Body Meeting (GB) empowered to take important decisions, decide upon financial matters, evaluate the performance of their representatives (called either ministers or secretaries) and convey the residents ' grievances to them. Hall cabinets consist of 8-10 members, each of them looking after a particular aspect of hall life such as general welfare, literary and debating, library, entertainment, mess, games and the like.

Notwithstanding the easy going life of MCCians, General Body meetings witness serious discussions and debates before finalising the decisions. Even a small decision involving very little (when I say very little, I mean very little) amount of money can prolong the meeting for hours. Sometimes, this tug of war between floor members and cabinet culminates in deadlock. Late-night general body sessions are, therefore, part of hall life. Nevertheless, when it comes to patience and maturity of its members, general body sessions set examples even for the real parliament.

And the floor authorises the ministers or secretaries to use the money for various purposes which, they think, will benefit the residents and better their hall life. From the quality of food to recreation facilities, functioning of various clubs to the staging of a particular event, everything goes under the scanner in General bodies. Strict parliamentary rules such as the dress code, specifications on how to address the floor and prohibition of unparliamentary language, are observed in these sessions. On the other side of the coin, GBs involve certain light moments also. There had been quite a few classic pieces of 'parliament jokes' that one could never forget in his life. It goes without saying that each General Body meeting helps both office bearers and the residents polish their abilities and it is no wonder that MCC produces responsible adults for society.