The Vice-Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University Kalyani Mathivanan has called for a crucial meeting on Monday to directly listen to the grievances of hostel students who are now on a protest opposing the revamp measures taken up in students’ hostels.
“My doors are open to hostel students and they can meet me in the Syndicate room from 11 a.m. onwards. I took the best possible steps to improve the overall amenities in hostels. If they (hostel students) have suggestions and grievances, let them come and meet me instead of protesting in my absence,” she told “The Hindu” over phone from Chennai on Sunday.
She, however, expressed concern that a section of students are getting instigated by a few staff members and associations. The students are on sit-in protest in the campus since Thursday condemning the mess fee hike and other decisions taken by the administration to prevent unauthorised overstay in MKU hostels for years together.
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Dr.Kalyani Mathivanan will hear from at least 50 students about their grievances, suggestions and solutions. “When I was there, they did not talk to me. And, now they are on strike and I feel that someone is misleading the students. I will not find fault with students,” she added.
Stating that she has been working hard ever since she assumed office three months ago, the Vice-Chancellor said that she can also just sit and attend functions but instead chose to personally visit every hostel in the campus to improve the overall ambience and facilities for students.
Three student representatives from each school from the university’s total 18 schools were called for discussion on Monday so that there would be clear representation from all sides.
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Expressing confidence that she will be able to resolve the hostel issue after meeting the students, Dr.Kalyani Mathivanan has appealed to the youngsters not to get carried away by the words of a senior faculty member who is mixing up his personal agenda with hostel issue.
“I never blame the students for their protests because I too had worked in Ethiraj College and have a huge fan following in that college. The students of Ethiraj College know how I work for the welfare of students,” she claimed.
She was very particular that overstaying in students hostels cannot be permitted any longer and strict rules should be framed to set right things in student hostels. In Monday’s meeting, various issues including hike in mess fee, dividing system, accommodation rules and decision to vacate overstaying students will be discussed threadbare to find a permanent solution and protect the interests of newcomers.
Security at the main gate and other entry points will be beefed up soon. Also, glass cubes would be put up on the walls to prevent illegal entry of outsiders in to campus.
The Vice-Chancellor is also thinking of issuing separate identity cards to hostel students of MKU with details from their date of joining the hostel. Students staying beyond stipulated period will have to vacate the hostel rooms and university hostel will no longer be a permanent accommodation for them.
Strict vigil will also be there on guests being entertained by hostel students. Their entry and exit time will be noted in a register and this will be applicable to postgraduate students and research scholars too.
Protesting hostel students of MKU had already met the District Collector Anshul Mishra on Friday and put forth their demands. Members of Hostel Welfare Committee representing the varsity administration too had a meeting with the Collector to justify the decisions taken to revamp and cleanup student’s hostels in the MKU campus.