Instructions

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow.

Vidya, a Bachelor of Commerce graduate, secured admission to one of India’s premier business schools (B schools) called Best-Known School of Management (BKSM). Not long after her joining BKSM, she was struck by the calibre of her experienced peers. This, in turn, made her anxious about her placement. Hence, she reached out to one of her seniors, who had also joined BKSM as a fresher, for advice.

In conversations with the senior, Vidya learned that freshers were often advised to join student committees to strengthen their curriculum vitae (CVs) for placements. Confident of making it to one, she started preparing. Despite her confidence, she could not secure a spot in the prominent committees she aspired to join.

Frustrated and angry, Vidya began believing that committee selections were biased. Since the processes were entirely student-run, with minimal administrative oversight, she felt that she had no avenue to raise her concerns. Anjali, Vidya’s roommate in BKSM, told her about Why MBA, a social media platform where students often voiced their grievances anonymously.

Question 43

A few committee secretaries complained to the dean of BKSM about some anonymous posts on Why MBA that they felt were unfairly targeting them. Upon visiting the forums on Why MBA, the dean felt that while most of the posts were innocuous, some indeed crossed the line. Further, she felt that such posts tarnished the image of BKSM. Conversely, she observed that such posts led those targeted to reflect, mend their ways, and become more accountable. She wondered what she could do to save the reputation of BKSM being assailed in public forums through anonymous posts; however, she did not want to do anything disproportionately harsh.

What BEST can the dean do to take a sustainable decision to dissuade students from posting their grievances in public forums, presenting the college in a bad light?

Solution

The dean needs to discourage students from posting grievances on public forums and protect BKSM’s reputation without resorting to disproportionately harsh measures. She must also recognise that criticism can serve a constructive purpose by making committee members more accountable. Option C is correct because an anonymous in-house forum would provide students with an alternative channel to voice their concerns, allowing the college to address legitimate grievances before they spill into public forums.

The other options are less suitable because they either fail to address the underlying problem or impose impractical or excessive measures. Option A’s surveillance could discourage legitimate criticism and create an atmosphere of fear. Option B offers a channel for grievances, but daily open houses may be difficult to sustain and do not provide anonymity. Option D places an impractical burden on the dean and addresses only committee selections. Option E restricts access to public forums on campus without resolving students’ grievances, which they could continue to express elsewhere.

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