Students who are ‘overstaying' in the hostels of Madurai Kamaraj University have been asked to vacate immediately and the wardens instructed to identify those who are indefinitely staying on the campus.
Initiating some tough steps in MKU hostels, the Vice-Chancellor Kalyani Mathivanan has conveyed to students, particularly research scholars, that they will not be provided accommodation in hostels beyond a stipulated period.
“I am looking at this overstaying issue very seriously…because we found that some students are there for a good number of years using the boarding and lodging facility, especially in men's hostels. For Ph. D candidates, five years is the maximum period we will allow in hostels. Beyond that they have to find some other place,” the Vice-Chancellor told The Hindu on Wednesday.
She also said that the research guides of the university would be intimated about the hostel revamp plans and they had to ensure that their candidates did not stay in hostels for years together.
The varsity authorities with the help of hostel wardens have already taken out a list of long staying students and they will be vacated shortly.
“I am waiting for these students to vacate the campus and very soon we will take up renovation work in hostels,” Prof. Kalyani Mathivanan said.
Renovation of hostel kitchens and dining areas, refurbishing the MKU canteen and creation of more amenities for students are on the anvil. Simultaneously, she is also focusing on rain water harvesting system in the campus.
“See, rainwater harvesting is an important thing which was not done in this university. It is a priority for Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and it will be done. Rain water cannot be wasted when there is water scarcity,” she emphasised.
Stating that she is proceeding with a holistic approach to take MKU to new heights, the Vice-Chancellor said that establishing of film institute was top on the agenda.
“In another week there will be more progress as right now I am waiting for a word from Kamal Hassan whom we approached for guidance to start the institute,” she said.
Prof. Kalyani Mathivanan remarked that her ‘heart, body and soul are in Madurai and shall work for the university to the maximum extent possible.'
