“College Targeting Us”: 120 St Stephen’s Students Denied Hostel

Students allege that they were denied hostel because they took part in protests against authorities over autonomy.

Many students and teachers of St. Stephen’s College erupted in vehement protest after it emerged that the college was deciding to apply for autonomy. (Photo Courtesy: St. Stephens College)

When a second year undergraduate female student of Delhi’s prestigious St Stephen’s College was told she was not granted the college’s hostel facility for the next academic session, she was both shocked, and worried about what comes next.

“Not seeing my name on the (hostel) list was shocking. I’ve excelled in academics, have good attendance and actively participate in the college life. Still, others who were less deserving made it to the list. My parents are worried. They have a problem with me staying outside the college hostel,” she told The Quint.

Hostel Eviction Due to Protest Against Authorities?

She is among the apparent 100-120 students whose names were excluded from the hostel list which was released by the college on 4 May – an exclusion which students allege is due to their participation in protests against the college authorities over the issue of autonomy.

In March this year, many students and teachers erupted in vehement protest after it emerged that the college was deciding to apply for autonomous status. They said the decision was taken without consulting them – the stakeholders.

John Varghese, principal of the college, had told the protesting teachers and students on 3 March that he would write to the governing body regarding holding of consultations. However, teachers allege that no proper consultations have taken place so far.

Autonomous status for the college would effectively mean that it would no longer come under the Delhi University, and could decide independently on matters such as syllabus, fees and branch expansion. Teachers have said that autonomy would lead to opaqueness in the admission procedure – with concerns being raised about a possible lack of accountability with regard to the cut-offs and reservations/quotas being implemented, as well as a manifold rise in the fees.

Students of St Stephen’s college questioning the “autocratic functioning” of the college authorities by writing messages on placards. (Photo: The Quint)

Students of St Stephen’s college questioning the “autocratic functioning” of the college authorities by writing messages on placards. (Photo: The Quint)

Also Read: St Stephen’s Profs Say They’ll Quit If College Becomes Autonomous

Admin’s Response to Student: ‘Heavens Not Kind to You’

Another second year student, whose name wasn’t in the list, told The Quint that when he approached the college Dean asking why he had been excluded, he was told that along with merit as a criteria, the college was also considering ‘discipline’.

A press release signed by several St Stephen’s College students claims that the students’ protest against the autonomy demand, and the administration’s “autocratic functioning” are the real reasons behind the denial of hostel facility.

The press release cited a few alleged responses by the college authorities when the students approached them regarding the issue. Responses ranged from “The Heavens were not kind to you” to openly admitting that they could not expect residence (hostel) if they protested outside the Principal’s office.  

St Stephen’s conducts an annual interview process for first- and second-year students seeking the hostel facility. According to the college website, the criteria that are considered include “academic commitment”, place of residence (priority is given to “out-of-station” candidates) and “need of the candidate”.

However, the students claim that in the selection process this time, the only consideration has been whether they “toed the line of the college administration”.

Students of St Stephen’s college questioning the “autocratic functioning” of the college authorities by writing messages on placards. (Photo: The Quint)

Administration ‘Crossed All Boundaries’ This Time: College Teacher

Speaking to The Quint, Nandita Narain, a professor at the college, termed the move “completely unacceptable”.

Lots of names have been left out in the list, despite them fulfilling the merit criteria. The college is a publicly funded institute. So transparency is a must. The college has been arbitrarily holding interviews for selecting students for the hostel for some time. But this time around, it has crossed all boundaries.

Nandita Narain, Professor at St Stephen’s College

Students Boycott Mess

As a protest, the students staged a mass boycott of the college mess, with the press release claiming that 360 out of 400 hostelers took part in the demonstration. The students pointed out that measures were taken to ensure food was not wasted.

The college mess was not its usual teeming best after students staged a boycott to protest against the college administration. (Photo: The Quint)

However, as a second-year student pointed out, if the administration does not agree to take in more students into the hostel, it will inconvenience many.

They have released this list quite late. It’s examination season right now, and it will be difficult for students who have been rejected to scout for apartments and PGs. 

College Student

Students came out on Facebook to protest against the denial of hostel facilities. (Photo Courtesy: Facebook screenshot)

The Quint is awaiting a response to an email and a message which were sent to the college principal, John Varghese, on the issue. The copy will be updated if we get a response from the college authorities.

(Students names have been withheld on request)