Order restored at DU, but seat shortage remains an issue

• Investigation reveals that 249 out of 560 staff flats are being rented out to students.
• Out of DU's 650-acre campus, 12 acres are reportedly lost, highlighting underutilization of the land.

Restoration of Discipline at DU Halls, but Accommodation Crisis Persists

The restoration of Dhaka University (DU) hall management to the university administration, following the ouster of the Chhatra League, has brought a measure of discipline to seat allocations. However, the university continues to struggle with a severe accommodation shortage. To address this demand, some DU staff have resorted to renting out their allocated flats to students—a practice prohibited by university regulations, as these flats are designated solely for staff use.

Misuse of Staff Flats

A DU investigation on April 30 revealed that 249 out of 560 staff flats were being rented out, either partially or entirely. Among these, 49 flats were fully rented, 69 had a single room rented out, and 131 had two rooms rented. These flats, located in Sheikh Russel Tower, Bangabandhu Tower, Nilkhet residential areas, and Azimpur, represent a portion of the 918 flats allocated for staff use. Unexamined areas likely face similar issues, with overcrowding reported as up to 12 people share a single flat, paying Tk 2,000–3,000 each.

One staff member justified the practice, stating that the small size of the flats made them unsuitable for family living, prompting them to live elsewhere and rent out the space to cover accommodation costs.

Acute Accommodation Crisis

DU’s dormitories are operating at more than double their intended capacity. Male dormitories, including Sir A F Rahman Hall and others, have rooms designed for four students now accommodating up to eight. Similarly, female halls are overcrowded, with makeshift “gonorooms” reinstated as legal arrangements. Female students living in off-campus halls, such as Kuwait Moitree Hall and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, face additional challenges, including harassment, commuting difficulties, and isolation from campus life.

The situation has slightly improved after reclaiming seats from students who had graduated, ending the practice of "gonorooms" in some halls. However, the demand for dormitory seats continues to far outstrip supply.

Staff Flats and Overcrowding

Despite the student housing crisis, DU has prioritized staff accommodation with the construction of Sheikh Russel Tower and Bangabandhu Tower. However, a recent investigation revealed many flats in Sheikh Russel Tower were either partially or fully rented out. Fatema Binte Mostafa, DU’s estate manager, reported that 35 staff who rented out their flats entirely have been evicted, and their flats returned to the university. Notices were issued to 200 staff members found renting out rooms.

Land Mismanagement and Future Plans

DU, which originally spanned 650 acres, has only 274 acres currently in effective use. Over 12 acres have reportedly been lost due to negligence by the estate office, and 51.99 acres allotted by the government remain unused due to a lack of funds.

A Tk 9,000 crore master plan approved in 2020 aims to alleviate the accommodation crisis through a phased approach, including replacing old dormitories and building new ones to house 2,600 female and 3,600 male students. However, progress has been slow, with the university still awaiting government funding to begin implementation.

The acting director of DU’s Office of Planning & Development confirmed that the funding allocation process for the first phase is underway. Until then, DU students and staff continue to grapple with the fallout of chronic accommodation shortages and mismanagement.