Students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) were assigned proper residential seats after years of room scarcity triggered by former students with political connections during the Awami League (AL) regime.
First-year students were set to start their classes as part of JU's 53rd batch (2023-24 session) on Sunday. The students who have settled into their allotted dormitories said the university is finally living up to its name of being a university with 'full residential facility'.
The university administration on Saturday visited the residential halls to welcome new students, noting that the previous 'gonoroom culture', where students had to suffered cramped living conditions in small spaces, has been eliminated.
First year students received their seats, with beds, tables, and chairs from the very first day of their academic life, the authorities said.
Previously, newcomers were accommodated in overcrowded 'gono rooms,' where three to four students shared a space meant for one; with only a mattress provided-no chairs, tables, or beds. In their second year, they moved to 'mini gono rooms," where six to eight shared a two-person room, while in some cases 14 to 16 had to stay into a room meant for providing accommodation to four persons.
By their third year, six to seven students often shared a four-person room. Only in the fourth year or Master's level the students usually got the seat they expected from a university, which is supposed to have a proper residential facility.
While the conditions in the girls' dormitories were slightly better, they too had to reside in the 'gono rooms' during their first and second years.
AL's student wing, Chattra League, controlled the seat allocation process and having political affiliations were the primary criteria for securing better accommodations during the former regime.
Moreover, students who were BCL leaders, often occupied room illegally after their studentship ended. The then university administration was unable to address the problem, leading to ongoing seat shortages despite the construction of six new ten-storey halls.
This year hall administration took full responsibility for seat allocation and students in their senior years welcomed the newcomers, presenting them with flowers, pens, and sweets.
First-year students expressed happiness at receiving their hall seats on the first day, while accompanying parents voiced satisfaction with the accommodation system.
Nabila Binte Harun, a student who had her seat allocated in the Sheikh Hasina Hall, said, "Our classes start tomorrow, and we were able to settle a day before. Despite fears about 'gono room or ragging(bullying)', I haven't encountered any. Overall, it feels wonderful-like a festive atmosphere."
Chairman of the Provost Committee, Professor Nazrul Islam, stated, "We have completely eliminated the longstanding culture of 'gono rooms.'"
Professor Kamrul Ahsan, vice-chancellor, JU, said, "We are committed to providing a good learning environment." He hoped that bullying and drug abuse will now cease to exist as they had abolished the 'gono rooms' and sought the cooperation of all in this regard.
[email protected]
