CU students fume over dearth of residential seats

The lack of adequate dormitories has hampered the academic life of a large number of students of Chittagong University (CU). CU sources said the university has 10 residential halls (seven for males and three for women) that can accommodate only 4,295 students or one-fourth of the total student population of around 25,000.

The residential students include 1,771 females, who reside in Shamsun Nahar, Khaleda Zia and Pritilata halls. The seven male halls—Shah Jalal, Shah Amanat, Suhrawardy, Alaol, AF Rahman, Master Da Surya Sen and Abdur Rab—can accommodate 2,524 students.

According to CU sources, Suhrawardy Hall, which was designated for the arts faculty, can only accommodate 375 students, while AF Rahman and Alaol halls for the social science faculty house 516 students.

Shah Amanat and Abdur Rab halls for the science and law faculties have 1,141 residents, while Shahjalal Hall for the business administration faculty houses 475 students, the sources added. This lack of adequate residential space has forced around 20,000 students to live in different cottages on the campus or the homes of relatives and students’ messes in Chittagong city. The situation is particularly tough for students living in Chittagong as they have to travel for 22 km daily to attend classes on the campus.

Though two shuttle trains run between the city and the university 14 times a day, many students have complained that the morning rush made it difficult to board the trains. Taking advantage of the situation, some ramshackle maxi-buses, which were withdrawn from other routes, ferry students to the university from the New Market area in Chittagong by charging Tk. 20 per head. This is an extra burden for several students coming from poor economic backgrounds.

On the other hand, some cottage owners take advantage of the students by charging them much more than the basic rent. Given the accommodation crisis, the students have no alternative, but give in to the “extortion”.

According to sources, more than 6,000 students live in the cottages on campus.  Many guardians are reluctant to enrol their wards in the university only because of accommodation problems, said Shahnaz Khatun, a resident of Shamsun Nahar Hall. “The female students are the worst sufferers because they can’t live in the cottages on the campus or hostels in the city like their male counterparts. They have to stay with their relatives in the city,” she added.

Bhanu Gopal, a student who lives in a cottage, blamed session jam in different departments for the crisis because the students cannot leave the dormitories before completion of their studies. “Session jam is a common fact in the university. It increases our sufferings and prevents students from getting a seat in the halls,” he added.

Jannat Mimi, who lives in a cottage on the campus, said: “We face many problems in the cottages. We even have to pay extra money as rent. If CU had an adequate number of residential seats, we would not have suffered so much.”

Acting CU registrar Prof. Kamrul Khuda told The Independent: “We know that accommodation for students is a big problem for our university. We are trying to reduce the crisis.” He said that the newly built Sheikh Hasina Hall will be opened for female students and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall for male students as early as possible. “After the opening of the two halls, the dormitory crisis will decrease,” he added.

CU students fume over dearth of residential seats

The lack of adequate dormitories has hampered the academic life of a large number of students of Chittagong University (CU). CU sources said the university has 10 residential halls (seven for males and three for women) that can accommodate only 4,295 students or one-fourth of the total student population of around 25,000. The residential students include 1,771 females, who reside in Shamsun Nahar, Khaleda Zia and Pritilata halls. The seven male hallsShah Jalal, Shah Amanat, Suhrawardy, Alaol, AF Rahman, Master Da Surya Sen and Abdur Rabcan accommodate 2,524 students. According to CU sources, Suhrawardy Hall, which was designated for the arts faculty, can only accommodate 375 students, while AF Rahman and Alaol halls for the social science faculty house 516 students. Shah Amanat and Abdur Rab halls for the science and law faculties have 1,141 residents, while Shahjalal Hall for the business administration faculty houses 475 students, the sources added. This lack of adequate residential space has forced around 20,000 students to live in different cottages on the campus or the homes of relatives and students messes in Chittagong city. The situation is particularly tough for students living in Chittagong as they have to travel for 22 km daily to attend classes on the campus. Though two shuttle trains run between the city and the university 14 times a day, many students have complained that the morning rush made it difficult to board the trains. Taking advantage of the situation, some ramshackle maxi-buses, which were withdrawn from other routes, ferry students to the university from the New Market area in Chittagong by charging Tk. 20 per head. This is an extra burden for several students coming from poor economic backgrounds. On the other hand, some cottage owners take advantage of the students by charging them much more than the basic rent. Given the accommodation crisis, the students have no alternative, but give in to the extortion. According to sources, more than 6,000 students live in the cottages on campus. Many guardians are reluctant to enrol their wards in the university only because of accommodation problems, said Shahnaz Khatun, a resident of Shamsun Nahar Hall. The female students are the worst sufferers because they cant live in the cottages on the campus or hostels in the city like their male counterparts. They have to stay with their relatives in the city, she added. Bhanu Gopal, a student who lives in a cottage, blamed session jam in different departments for the crisis because the students cannot leave the dormitories before completion of their studies. Session jam is a common fact in the university. It increases our sufferings and prevents students from getting a seat in the halls, he added. Jannat Mimi, who lives in a cottage on the campus, said: We face many problems in the cottages. We even have to pay extra money as rent. If CU had an adequate number of residential seats, we would not have suffered so much. Acting CU registrar Prof. Kamrul Khuda told The Independent: We know that accommodation for students is a big problem for our university. We are trying to reduce the crisis. He said that the newly built Sheikh Hasina Hall will be opened for female students and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall for male students as early as possible. After the opening of the two halls, the dormitory crisis will decrease, he added.