A letter signed by 200 students was sent to the college authorities on November 15; some of them are planning agitation next week
It has been more than 19 months that the college campus has been shut. Representation pic
Even as colleges across the state are slowly returning to in-person lectures, students at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) continue to wonder why they are still attending online classes. A letter, signed by more than 200 students of the institute was sent to the authorities concerned on November 15, urging them to open up the campus. However, they are yet to get a response on the same.
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The letter states, “The pandemic has affected the student community in the worst possible manner. Majority of the students belonging to marginalised communities are going through a tough time due to the digital divide in the absence of basic resources like availability of electricity, internet connectivity and space for studies. These constraints are leading to anxiety, mental health issues and other psychological problems among students. Similarly, for research scholars in the absence of library space, it is difficult to continue their work in an efficient manner. The COVID-19 situation is now getting better, so we strongly demand that the campus be reopened based on proper guidelines in the next 15 days, for research scholars in the first phase.”
“We waited for the institute to respond to our concerns. Till date, the officials have not bothered to give us a reply. It has been more than 19 months that the campus is shut. Though the state government and UGC have instructed to reopen the institute, TISS continues to remain closed,” said a student.
Adding to this, another student said, “Central universities were allowed to reopen campus gates for research scholars by adhering to COVID protocol way before. Even in Maharashtra, all colleges have been asked to reopen. Yet, TISS authorities are not taking a step forward.”
Even as one set of students from the institute has written a letter to the authorities, Progressive Students Forum from the campus has planned an ‘Occupy Campus’ movement on November 30, if the authorities fail to provide any clarity on reopening.
Director of the institute, Professor Shalini Bharat, said, “We have constituted a committee to look into the reopening plan. The committee will submit its report soon based on its decision. It is looking at all possible aspects to see how it can be done with the limited infrastructure we currently have. It will be a comprehensive plan and won’t just focus on a set of students. Online education is going on well and we are currently nearing the end of a semester.”
30 Nov
Day students plan ‘Occupy Campus’ movement
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