Varsity extends deadline to vacate hostels till May 15

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 12

Amid the ongoing tussle between the students and authorities over vacating hostels, Panjab University today extended the deadline by three more days.

The decision was taken to help students who have got travel reservations for coming days.

“Keeping in view that some hostel residents have got their transport reservations for coming days, the authorities have extended the period to vacate the hostels till May 15,” informed Prof Sukhbir Kaur, Dean Student Welfare.

“The mess of girls’ hostel No. 1, boys’ hostel No. 6 and girls’ hostel No. 8 will remain open,” said Prof Sukhbir Kaur, adding that “around 20-25 students left for their respective homes today”.

As per the official figures, over 800 students were staying in PU hostels till last month. However as of May 11, just over 400 are left.

Eighty to 100 students have agreed to leave the hostels. Amid the surge in Covid-19 cases, the PU authorities had asked the hostellers to vacate the premises till May 12.

Protest continues

Research scholars, meanwhile, continued their protest against the authorities and alleged that many of them were facing mental trauma due to constant pressure from the authorities.

“The pressure, depression and anxiety level is high among senior scholars. The UGC guidelines categorically instruct universities to arrange for counsellors and mentors for mental health, psychological support and wellbeing of all stakeholders,” reads a press note of students. “Representatives of PU authorities have verbally ensured that no students and their parents will be called either through their guides, chairpersons or wardens,” it adds.

Vice-Chancellor’s office shut

The office of the PU Vice-Chancellor was closed on Wednesday following Covid cases. The office will remain shut till May 16. On Tuesday, the authorities had decided to close the Administrative Block, University School of Open Learning and Aruna Ranjit Hall till May 13. The building having offices of the Vice-Chancellor, Dean, Research, and the DUI will remain closed on Thursday for sanitisation. Five employees and their family members had recently tested positive for Covid.

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