Varsity Admissions Start, But How To Handle Hostels? Nobody Is Sure

Varsity Admissions Start, But How To Handle Hostels? Nobody Is Sure

Won’t Open Now, Rules May Change

Mohammad Ibrar & Shradha Chettri TNN

New Delhi:  04.10.2020

As universities brace for admission season, what happens to hostels is a question of concern. In Delhi University, hostel admission will not take place alongside college admissions this year. Many college principals don’t see the hostels opening before January next year, but they are certain about having to restrict facilities to meet Covid-19 norms.

Poonam Verma, principal of Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, which has hostels for both male and female students, described the reopening of hostels as a “challenge”. She said, “Till the time classes continue online, we will not provide hostel facilities. But once the hostels have to open, we may consider converting the triplesharing rooms to two seaters. It will not be possible to give a single room to all students.”

Hindu College principal Anju Srivastava hoped for guidance on reopening hostels from the university authorities. The first disinfection effort will be hampered because of the belongings left behind by the earlier hostellers who had to exit in haste, she said. “For the health and safety of students, we will have to reduce the intake, but increasing hostel fees might not be feasible because of the financial hardship faced by many students,” Srivastava added.

Despite Srivastava’s observation, many believe that the Covid restrictions, especially the reduction in the number of students who can stay in hostels, will lead to an increase in hostel fees. Some college hostels run on self-financing mode and do not receive funds from UGC.

One of those who portends a hike in fees is Venkat Kumar, principal of Sri Venkateswara College, which offers boarding facility for 75 boys and 75 girls. “It is clear that the number of students admitted to hostels will come down. But the full expenses have to be recouped because we have to pay the staff on contract working in the hostel,” he argued.

Many principals are already working out modalities for the reopening of hostels. SGTB Khalsa College has 49 rooms that can accommodate 147 women students, with three sharing each room. Principal Jaswinder Singh said, “Though our hostel rooms are spacious, we may only put two girls in one room. We know the hostel won’t open before January, but we have already identified four rooms to keep inmates in isolation should they exhibit Covid symptoms.”

Shri Ram College of Commerce, which has both men’s and women’s hostels, will receive feedback from students through Google forms. “We want to know whether they want the college to reopen with or without hostel facility,” said principal Simrit Kaur.

Jamia Millia Islamia’s precedent could be followed by DU hostels. It accommodated BDS and physiotherapy students from outside Delhi in the AM Khwaja Hostel, after advising them to reach the hostel six in advance of the exams so they could remain in isolation for the mandated period. “Bona-fide hostel residents were required to carry a recent Covid-negative certificate, and on arrival they underwent the usual checks plus had their baggage disinfected,” revealed Ahmed Azeem, Jamia PRO. "They aren't allowed to leave the hostel except for their exams.”

DU also has a model, having already opened its hostels for research scholars. A 14-day quarantine was made mandatory and hostellers were also asked to limit their time outside of their rooms. The university also asked hostels with fewer residents not to run the messes, but to arrange food from nearby hostels.