At MSU hostels, anything goes

Neither students nor officials seem to care about rules, regulations

Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA

Monday, December 15, 2008

Like most others, the hostel halls under Vadodara's MS University have a list of rules. However, negligence, on the part of authorities and students alike, has led to a situation where anything goes. For instance, although an ID card system is supposed to be in place, many students don't have the requisite cards. Sources say some outsiders also stay at the hostel without permission. Under university rules, hostel residents are required to get permission, and pay a fee, to have overnight guests - another rule that is often ignored. Students also bypass the curfew timing, using proxies to mark attendance. Sociology student Mallika Singh, a resident of SD hall, says, “Our hall does not have a warden, making it easy for students to break the rules. Also, the management is not strict about taking action against offenders, so we have formed committees to fine students who do not follow the rules.” When DNA asked Dr DP Bharambe, chief warden of the MSU hostel, about loopholes in hostel management, he said, “The hostel halls have rules and regulations, which student residents are expected to follow. Strict action is taken when we get complaints that rules are being broken.” Sources say MSU's frequent plans for new rules rarely get implemented. This time, the university plans to introduce a punch-card system for hostel residents, to ensure that they return to the hostel on time. “We plan to introduce the punch-card system in hostel halls. As far as security and management of hostel halls is concerned, we are trying to implement the rules strictly. Students also need to understand the rules and regulations, and cooperate,” said vice chancellor Ramesh Goyal.