PU sets new rules to solve hostel crisis

To solve the problem of hostel-seat shortage,the Panjab University has hit upon a unique solution.

To solve the problem of hostel-seat shortage,the Panjab University has hit upon a unique solution. From the coming academic session,students who wish to pursue a second postgraduate degree on the campus will not be entitled to a hostel seat,if they have already utilised the hostel facilities during the first postgraduate course. Also,the admission to university hostels would be on the basis of merit.

Talking to Newsline,Dean Students Welfare Professor Naval Kishore said: The decision has been taken to check hostellers who take admission in various postgraduate courses just to secure accommodation on the campus. To solve the long-running hostel crisis,we have to establish strict admission criteria. Many a time,deserving first-timers are refused hostel accommodation as rooms are occupied by a few who just need a place to live in the city.

Sources add that about 20 per cent of hostel seats are occupied by such students who move from course to course in a bid to grab cheap accommodation. A senior faculty member explained: Many a times,students preparing for IAS and other competitive exams keep joining different postgraduate courses to keep hostel accommodation. It easily solves all problems related to food and shelter.

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Meanwhile,students are not a happy lot. Kiran,an MA English student,said: Its good that the university is trying to streamline hostel admissions and wants to keep away undeserving candidates but genuine students should not be forsaken. This rule is unjust for the few students who genuinely want to pursue another degree.

The Panjab University has 14 hostels which accommodate around 7,000 students. Last year,the average number of candidates on the waiting list of each hostel was 200.

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