Jahangirnagar University (JU) academic council on Wednesday night recommended reopening dormitories on October 21 only for those who have received minimum a single shot of Covid-19 vaccine.
The recommendation came out at an academic council meeting held virtually on Wednesday with JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Farzana Islam in the chair, confirmed Prof Bashir Ahmed, provost of Sheikh Hasina Hall.
However, the decision will be finalized at the next syndicate meeting scheduled on October 2.
“Following Covid-19 health guidelines, students for first 14 days will take part in online class tests staying in the halls,” said Prof Basir Ahmed.
“Students, who have taken at least a single shot of Covid-19 vaccine, will be allowed to enter the dormitories,” he added.
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Besides, the council also recommended waiving the hall fees of past 18-month for all students.
Prof Mojibur Rahman, Chairman of provost committee, said, “Students of 2019-20 academic session will not be allowed to enter the halls for the time being. Who have already completed their studies will not be allowed in the dorms as well. We are collecting data of the students of 44 Batch (2014-15 academic sessions). I hope to get full information in 7 days. Then the students of 2019-20 academic sessions will be informed when to enter the halls.”
“It may take a maximum of one and a half months, in the meantime, we hope to be able to take them under residential facilities,” he added.
Earlier, Prof Rahman said, the halls have already been cleaned to make them livable for students. The walls have been renovated and repainted.
Meanwhile, JU unit of Bangladesh Student Union (BSU) and Socialist Students’ Front opposed the academic council’s decision and demanded to reopen halls in the first week of October.
Rakibul Rony, unit secretary general of BSU said, “The decision is not student friendly at all. The university administration has launched a farce in the name of opening halls. They should think again for the betterment of students.”
Mentionable, university halls remained closed since March 18, 2020 due to Covid-19 outbreak.