Questioning DU accommodation policy

One rule of the Dhaka University about allotting residential accommodation among teachers deserves attention of the policy planners. The rule was framed in 1986 stipulating that if a spouse is also a teacher, their points are added together and thus a couple who are junior teachers can get higher points than any of the senior professors in getting a quarter. Those who engineered this policy argue: (i) two apartments - one to the husband and one to the wife, will have to be given, and (ii) the two contribute more than one, so they deserve the preference.
But the husband and the wife live under one roof. So the question of giving them two apartments does not arise as long as they remain husband and wife. Their argument is not based on any logical ground. It is inconsistent with the theory of competition and justice. There is no game where two play against one. The government sometimes sells scarce land or apartments to citizens on the basis of one piece of land or one apartment to one family; it is more justified than giving two pieces of land or two apartments to one family.
The policy makers were able to implement this noncompetitive policy for three reasons: first, they were more powerful. Secondly, they did it in their self-interest. Thirdly, they did not care for the laws of competition, a just society, individual identities, dignity and values. They had two votes and, therefore, were more influential. They played important roles in university politics and administration. In many cases either of them held important positions in the academic, administrative or political arena.
IT IS NOT A SMALL PERSONAL ISSUE: Though this is a story of a single institution, it should not be taken as a personal matter. Rather, it has immense implications for national governance for two reasons: (i) Dhaka University is one of the elite institutions of the country, and (ii) the policy of distributing resources (housing) has been framed and is pursued by the elitist members of this institution. So a seriously-flawed policy in such a great institution is a signal of serious flaws in the country's governance system.
SOCIOLOGY OF KNOWLEDGE VS INTERNAL CONVERSATION THEORY: The social structure and power influence the form and content of knowledge. Sociologists associate the growth of belief and knowledge with interests and ideology. The problem with sociology of knowledge, however, is that it neglects our consciousness. The internal conversation theory is critical of sociology of knowledge and suggests that we have the mind and through internal dialogues and internal conversations we have the capacity for self-criticism and self consultancy. We do not blindly respond to the social structure, rather we have the ability to plan, remember and respond flexibly to the environment.
KINSHIP: An independent person does transaction in the market in his own capacity. An infant or a disabled person is disqualified for transacting in his own capacity. Only these people in the disadvantageous situation may enjoy some special favour, or quota benefits from the society. But an able person in most of the cases is not allowed any quota benefit or any benefit of disadvantage. Rather, he or she transacts in the society by following the market mechanism. Here transactions are not done based on any personal link or kinship. In universities we reflect on the key values that underpin the way we live our life.
HIGHER EDUCATION: Higher educational institutions' main purpose is intellectual exercise and skill here is a minor objective while in primary and secondary educational institutions, the main purpose is skill and training, any intellectual achievement is not generally expected. In the event of the former, creativity, reasons, knowledge, independence and wisdom are the main goals. But in the majority of organisations, most people do things mechanically. Knowledge gathering or intellectual exercise is not a general phenomenon. Knowledge gathering or intellectual exercise is a long-term venture, and reasoning, criticism and interdisciplinary exchanges are the basic requirements. Common men are usually not expected to have these qualities. Here is the role of universities which create a new knowledge base and give guidance to the common people. A university does not blindly follow the previous beliefs or traditions, it learns to question previous beliefs, and if justified, revises these beliefs and thus comes up with a new way of thinking. A university's mission and vision should be to unearth the flaws in the systems, no matter how small they are.
JUSTICE, INDIVIDUALS AND THE SOCIETY: Injustice done to parents means injustice done to their children. The Dhaka University residences are one of the best places in Dhaka city, particularly for children in terms of space, greenery, schools and sports ground. So when a teacher is deprived of a residence here unjustly, his innocent children also are deprived of opportunities they deserve.
INSTITUTIONALISATION: According to Selznick, institutionalisation can be defined as the emergence of an orderly, stable and socially integrating pattern out of unstable, loosely-organised or narrowly-technical activities. An institution is a socio-psychological phenomenon. It is a cognitive and aesthetic process. It is not only a mechanical process of day-to-day production and distribution of goods and services. It also involves evaluation, scrutiny, research, and innovation. It is also an aesthetic process which adds beauty to its products, services, design, culture, behaviour, leadership and environment. In sociology, institutions have both personal and non-personal or cultural elements. Personal elements are human relations and their interactions, and cultural elements are aesthetics, art and literature.    
FLAWS WITHIN THE SYSTEM: There are inconsistencies even within the policy on accommodation for teachers. One of the arguments of the policymakers was that the two contribute more than one. If it is true, their preference should be four-room flats first. But this is not the case. Rather, the seniormost teachers by virtue of their individual points qualify for these apartments. If junior couples get one of these, that exposes the unjust policy. The policy makers kept these apartments out of the purview of this unjust policy.
Dr. Dhiman Chowdhury is Professor of Accounting                     at Dhaka University. dhiman_chowdhury@yahoo.com