Lucknow University's Student Council Remains Inactive, Campus Issues Unresolved
As the academic session at Lucknow University (LU) draws to a close, a critical student body has failed to fulfill its fundamental role. The Meritorious Student Council (MSC), established to advocate for student welfare with the administration, has not convened a single meeting throughout the entire session, raising serious concerns about its effectiveness and purpose.
Delayed Formation and Persistent Inactivity
The MSC was introduced by the university as an alternative after legal hurdles prevented the formation of a traditional students union. However, its implementation has been marred by delays and inactivity. The council was constituted only in December, a full seven months after the academic session began in the summer. Since its belated formation, the body has remained largely dormant, with no substantive meetings held to address pressing student concerns.
"The formation of the MSC was late. In fact, its constitution happened in Dec, seven months after the start of the session. The body had been lying inactive since," a group of frustrated students revealed, questioning the very necessity of such a council if it fails to engage with the student community it is meant to serve.
Mounting Student Grievances Across Campus
While the MSC remains inactive, students across Lucknow University's campuses report a litany of unresolved basic issues that directly impact their daily academic life and well-being. These problems span multiple facilities and affect students from various disciplines.
- Infrastructure and Hygiene Deficiencies: Riya Singh, a second-year BA student, highlighted critical shortcomings in essential amenities. "There is no proper water supply in Tagore Library. The washrooms are unhygienic and issues with sanitary pad availability for female students persist," she stated, underscoring gender-specific neglect.
- Academic Resource Failures: Shivam Verma, a third-year BSc student, pointed out technological hindrances. "The cyber library often lacks an internet connection, making it difficult for students to study or complete assignments," he explained, hampering research and coursework completion.
- Physical Campus Deterioration: At the university's second campus, Aman Yadav, a first-year B.Tech student, described deteriorating infrastructure. "Many benches are broken and students are forced to adjust during classes. We do not know their names or how to contact them," he lamented, indicating a lack of communication and basic maintenance.
Council's Inaction and Administrative Response
A member of the Meritorious Student Council, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the body's inactivity. The council has not conducted any meetings focused on student welfare, with the sole gathering being a certificate ceremony for the previous council's members. No discussions have been initiated to tackle the accumulating student issues.
In response to these criticisms, the newly appointed Dean of Students' Welfare, Amita Kanaujia, offered assurances of future improvements. "Soon, we will work on making the meritorious student council more effective and student oriented," she stated. However, with the current session ending and no concrete actions taken, students remain skeptical about timely resolutions to their long-standing problems.
The situation at Lucknow University highlights a significant gap in student governance and administrative responsiveness. The MSC's failure to convene has left a vacuum in advocacy, forcing students to endure substandard conditions without a formal channel for redressal. As the university prepares to conclude this academic year, the pressing question remains whether the promised reforms will materialize before the next session begins, or if student welfare will continue to be sidelined.
