In Quarantine: Food for Thought

Perhaps, the major reservation from the student’s side regarding this step was the well-being and safety of their belongings, which include the laptops, other electronics, and important marksheets and documents. In order to allay any such fears, Google Forms asking about the valuables and essentials in the rooms were duly circulated among the students. In addition, it was assured that the task of packing up and shifting of belongings would take place only under the supervision of a committee made up of faculties of the institute. Also, that the prime focus would be laid on proper sanitization before students move back into the hostels.
Being a State Government institute, our college isn’t allowed the level of autonomy some of the premier Central Government institutes as IITs and NITs enjoy. Thus, somewhere down the line if and when needed, the authorities would have been required to hand over the reins of the hostels to the State Government for being utilised in any manner it deems fit and appropriate.

One other major point intimated by the authorities which is noteworthy and of utmost importance is that if the procedure of packing up was delayed, then it was quite possible that the District Administration took up the matters in its own hands. In this scenario, all the steps entailing the conversion of hostels to Quarantine Shelters would be supervised by the committees appointed by District Administration and the institute wouldn’t be able to interfere. The college administration had invited any of the students from Lucknow, who wished to help in the entire process, to join the committees which was an appreciable step aimed at relieving the tensions to a certain extent.
 
Between the ever-constant rhetoric of the administration regarding the need to step up in these dire times for the service of the nation and a considerably apprehensive student cadre, we can’t help but feel that both sides have their valid causes for actions and concerns. There’s no questioning the fact that the situation demands a charitable response from each one of us. However, this initiative can reap richer dividends, if the authorities sincerely mull over the question of human error that can creep in while shifting the belongings of students around.
 
But amidst all the above-mentioned possibilities, certain glaring questions could easily go unnoticed. Why was such a well-intentioned step from the side of the authorities not received warmly by a majority of students? What prompted the administration to actually succumb to the will of the students? Why isn’t enough trust being put into the officials by the students, despite repeated assurances from the administration’s side? 

The above questions point unequivocally towards a worrying communication gap between the authorities and the students. We acknowledge the strong moral and charitable motivation of the administration and are willing to understand its position in this entire episode. We are prepared to understand that the administration has a lot on its table, but if it can apportion the same amount of empathy to the issues concerning students, things can be better. This reflects that there’s perhaps so much more that could be achieved in the domain of student-admin communication. Better chemistry between the two could have reduced the unwanted tremors significantly and in a long term would only pave the path for the gradual upliftment of the stature of the institute.

With no certain end to this lockdown situation in sight, perhaps the time’s ripe and in ample amounts for both the parties to introspect and reach a consensus for the establishment of a better rapport . The CRs can be delegated the task of acting as conduits between the students and the authority. The utilities of bodies such as ‘Student Grievance Cell’ could be pondered upon. Such measures can make things more manageable for the administration and provide the students a better setup wherein they can get their problems sorted out.   It is important that both sides realise that continuous improvement in the existing state of affairs is the need of the hour and it could only be achieved if everyone functions like the parts of    well-oiled machinery.

 A gap remains to be bridged. Questions, ignored hitherto, need to be considered. Doubts need to be cleared. The entire ‘Quarantine Shelter’ episode could easily be the harbinger of a more transparent student-admin dynamic and prove to be a remarkable motivation to chart down a more cohesive framework . A framework that encapsulates a more considerate administration and a more understanding student cadre. Let’s all hope that good reason prevails.