’DU hostels don’t even have AC rooms’

Foreign students complain about the lack of 'lifestyle'

'DU hostels don't even have AC rooms'

Foreign students complain about the lack of 'lifestyle'

Eighteen-year-old Katie Adams from the US wants to pursue Psychology Hons. in Delhi University (DU) but is sceptic about the condition of the varsity's hostels. So before taking admission, she wants to check whether the college hostels fulfil her requirements. Officials say that the lack of proper facilities is what keeps most foreign students like Katie away.

Not cushy enough? One of the rooms in Kirori Mal College Hostel at
North Campus. file pic

"I went to Indraprastha College for Women today to look for a hostel and I was extremely disappointed to see that the room was not even air conditioned (AC). It's too hot in Delhi and at least they should have ACs in the room," said Katie.

Officials say that foreign students generally expect more facilities than the ones that exist. "In under graduate courses, college hostels allow eight to nine nightouts in a month. But foreign students want minimum 15-16 nightouts per month, which is practically not possible," said an official from DU on condition of anonymity.u00a0u00a0u00a0

Students also mostly ask for extension timings in order to enter hostels late in the evening. "Many foreign
students are generally not happy with the hostel timings. They start fighting with us regarding such matters. Foreign students have a completely different lifestyle. They are not happy with the kind of food which is available in the hostel. I think it's better for them to stay as paying guests. That way they can come whenever they want and live their life," said a hostel warden.

Dr Babli Moitra Saraf, principal, IP College for Women, feels that it totally depends on students to choose the hostel in which he/she wants to stay. "It's her choice and I don't want to say anything about it," said Babli.
Only a handful of colleges like Daulat Ram and Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) have hostels with air-conditioned rooms.