M S University's Faculty of Commerce is finally cracking the whip against absenteeism. The faculty which for long has been criticized for going soft against absenteeism is finally coming down heavily on students who have failed to meet the minimum attendance cut-off.

Officials of the faculty suggest that a total of 416 students of first year Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) will be debarred from appearing in the faculty's forthcoming exams. The mid-semester exams of the FY BCom students will begin on February 22.

Ahead of the exams, the faculty has decided to debar 66 students of faculty's main building, 125 students of faculty's girls' college and 225 students of faculty's unit building. It is for the first time that faculty is taking such a strict action against absenteeism which has crippled its academic functioning.

"Since December last, we have been warning students that they should attend their classes regularly. So, we had published two lists on the notice boards highlighting the names of students who were remaining absent. As a third attempt, we even sent letters at their residence and invited their parents for discussion. But those who have not responded despite repeated missives won't be allowed to appear in the forthcoming exams as we do not run a distance education course," faculty dean professor Parimal Vyas told TOI.

The mid-semester exams count for 40 per cent weightage under the semester system, which the faculty has introduced this academic year.

While absentee students of main building, general education building and girls' college will face the consequences for remaining absent for long, the faculty has not taken any decision regarding those students who have remained absent at Padra College.