Accommodation crisis still acute in JU despite new dormitory

Despite the opening of new dormitories, acute accommodation crisis still persists in Jahangirnagar University (JU).

"We doubt that the hall authorities will be able to offer us single-seat accommodation", said Abdullah Al Galib, a first-year student of statistics department, who went to seek an accommodation in the newly launched Bishwakabi Rabindranath Tagore (BRT) Hall.

"The hall authorities had repeatedly assured us of getting us single-seat accommodation. In reality, 15–20 students are forced to stay in a single room, as we are yet to get the promised accommodation," he added.

"If this continues, we'll have to leave this dormitory," he noted. Like Galib, several students in other dormitories are forced to stay in so-called ‘Gana Room’. The students said they have become frustrated as the university authorities have failed to provide proper accommodation despite the establishment of new dormitories.

A few months back, the university opened the Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall for female students, while the BRT Hall was opened on August 19, days before the Eid vacation.

Though the accommodation crisis in the female dormitories has almost been resolved, the crisis still looms for the male students.

The oldest dormitory—Al-Beruni (Extension) Hall—has been declared as abandoned by the university authorities. It could accommodate around 200 students. Students residing in this hall were shifted to the BRT Hall, which can accommodate 520 students.

However, the overall accommodation crisis at the male dormitories is still unsolved, despite the increase of 320 seats. The Independent found several reasons behind this crisis.

Students of the 40th (2010–11 session) and the 41st (2011–12 session) batches have overstayed due to session jams, in most of the departments, ranging from two to three years.

Many of them have overstayed to undertake preparations for job examinations. Senior student leaders, who finished their courses a long time ago, have also overstayed. Moreover, most hall authorities have failed to distribute seats in a fair manner. Students affiliated to the ruling party allegedly occupy four- or two-person rooms, individually, in different dormitories.

To overcome these problems, different hall authorities should allot the excess students after comparing the accommodation capacity.

According to university sources, around 8,000 male students have been put up in eight halls, which have only 5,360 seats, while in the eight halls for female students, 3,650 seats have been allotted to 4,500 students. As a result, freshers have to lead an inhuman life at the so-called ‘Gana Rooms’ in unhealthy environment, drink polluted water, suffer frequent power cuts, and face many other problems.

A student is supposed to vacate the dormitories within seven days of completing the masters’ exam, said university officials. However, hall authorities have hardly tried to drive out students who refused to leave even after completing their master’s degree, they added.

JU registrar Abu Bakkar Siddique said: "We've asked all hall provosts to take action against overstaying students. Recently, we've opened a new dormitory for male students that has resolved the crisis a bit."

"Besides, we did not increase any male seat in upcoming admission test. This will help to recover this crisis," he added.

Accommodation crisis still acute in JU despite new dormitory

Despite the opening of new dormitories, acute accommodation crisis still persists in Jahangirnagar University (JU). We doubt that the hall authorities will be able to offer us single-seat accommodation, said Abdullah Al Galib, a first-year student of statistics department, who went to seek an accommodation in the newly launched Bishwakabi Rabindranath Tagore (BRT) Hall. The hall authorities had repeatedly assured us of getting us single-seat accommodation. In reality, 1520 students are forced to stay in a single room, as we are yet to get the promised accommodation, he added. If this continues, well have to leave this dormitory, he noted. Like Galib, several students in other dormitories are forced to stay in so-called Gana Room. The students said they have become frustrated as the university authorities have failed to provide proper accommodation despite the establishment of new dormitories. A few months back, the university opened the Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall for female students, while the BRT Hall was opened on August 19, days before the Eid vacation. Though the accommodation crisis in the female dormitories has almost been resolved, the crisis still looms for the male students. The oldest dormitoryAl-Beruni (Extension) Hallhas been declared as abandoned by the university authorities. It could accommodate around 200 students. Students residing in this hall were shifted to the BRT Hall, which can accommodate 520 students. However, the overall accommodation crisis at the male dormitories is still unsolved, despite the increase of 320 seats. The Independent found several reasons behind this crisis. Students of the 40th (201011 session) and the 41st (201112 session) batches have overstayed due to session jams, in most of the departments, ranging from two to three years. Many of them have overstayed to undertake preparations for job examinations. Senior student leaders, who finished their courses a long time ago, have also overstayed. Moreover, most hall authorities have failed to distribute seats in a fair manner. Students affiliated to the ruling party allegedly occupy four- or two-person rooms, individually, in different dormitories. To overcome these problems, different hall authorities should allot the excess students after comparing the accommodation capacity. According to university sources, around 8,000 male students have been put up in eight halls, which have only 5,360 seats, while in the eight halls for female students, 3,650 seats have been allotted to 4,500 students. As a result, freshers have to lead an inhuman life at the so-called Gana Rooms in unhealthy environment, drink polluted water, suffer frequent power cuts, and face many other problems. A student is supposed to vacate the dormitories within seven days of completing the masters exam, said university officials. However, hall authorities have hardly tried to drive out students who refused to leave even after completing their masters degree, they added. JU registrar Abu Bakkar Siddique said: Weve asked all hall provosts to take action against overstaying students. Recently, weve opened a new dormitory for male students that has resolved the crisis a bit. Besides, we did not increase any male seat in upcoming admission test. This will help to recover this crisis, he added.