Besides the all-important dean's post, the resignation will throw vacant the places of the Head of Commerce, including Bachelor of Business Administration, a member of the Senate, a member of the Syndicate and a senior professor of the faculty.

Though it would be about three months before Patel finally bids adieu to the MSU, it might take longer for the posts to be filled up. It, however, remains to be seen if his resignation is accepted.

The campus had been agog with rumours of Patel quitting and joining some other organisation. But he clarified he had no job offer. When contacted, Patel told Express Newsline, that his resignation was nothing unexpected, but refused to divulge the reason.

Sources at the Faculty of Commerce, however, said Patel had wanted to tender his resignation at the time of admissions during the beginning of this academic year. Unable to handle the admission rush and students' unruly behaviour, Patel had urged the university authorities to take a decision to restrict the number of students with immediate effect.

Instead, the authorities gave in to pressure of student leaders and scaled down the cut-off percentage from 46 to 45 per cent, adding some 200 extra students. He saw this as a loss of face, and ultimately, his authority.

This was exacerbated by the failure of university's administrative authorities to initiate stern action against hooliganism by student leaders, who would heckle him and damage faculty property at their whims and fancies.