Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Girls Hostel Group - Suggestions (detailed)

Women’s Halls of Residence

  1. Utilization of open spaces outside the hostels: The open space outside Nilgiris (between WHOR and the library) cannot be currently put to use since it is covered by weeds and shrubs, where snakes and scorpions have been seen to take refuge! First, the space must be cleared up (shrubs, weeds etc. to be removed). Second, it must be leveled. Third, a new lawn must be procured and planted. Lawns are available in more-expensive and less-expensive varieties. In either case, the investment in leveling and planting a new lawn is high. The maintenance of the lawn can be undertaken by the persons who currently maintain the other lawns in the WHOR. This should be undertaken as a matter of priority since the open space available for relaxing, studying or exercising has rapidly shrunk since the construction of new hostels began. The open space outside the Tiesta hostel must be better maintained- there is a necessity for the grass to be mowed and plants to be trimmed on weekly basis.

  1. Common Room: Currently, the Girls’ Common Room has only been provided with a few chairs and a TV. To increase the utility of this room, it should be equipped with a TT table and 2 carom boards. Curtains need to be put up and mats should be provided for the floor. Tables and chairs to enable students to study at night must also be provided- the investment involved in the same is negligible. Additionally, board games can also be made available for the enjoyment of the hostel residents.

  1. Gym: A new gym has been recently constructed exclusively for the benefit of women. It is of utmost importance that this gym be adequately equipped with the appropriate machines! There is a necessity for at least two treadmills. Investment in the same can be reduced if a manual treadmill (as opposed to an electronic one) is used. The gym should also be provided with exercise mats, a music system and other basic equipment suited to the requirements of women.

  1. Parking Shed: A small shed outside, or behind, Niligirs should be constructed to provide shelter to the increasing number of vehicles possessed by the residents of the WHOR. The investment lies in putting up an asbestos or aluminium sheet to protect the vehicles. While the university apparently has an anti-vehicle policy, the shed must be provided in recognition of the fact that students are nonetheless increasingly opting for their own vehicles to avoid the mayhem of Bangalore’s public transportation!

  1. Installation of Lights: The path from the Annexe Block to the Mess is dark and devoid of any lights. The path is frequently wet, making the trek to the Mess quite dangerous for Annexe Residents.

  1. Badminton Net in Hostel Quad: The Nilgiris Quad can be cleaned and a badminton net put up at minimum expense. It is already being used for playing badminton- the net will ensure make it more convenient to use it for this purpose.

  1. Coffee Machines: In the past, coffee machines were provided in the WHOR. Students could use the machine by inserting a five-rupee coin. However, the machines have been misused by students, attempting to force coins of smaller value in place of the required five-rupee coins. It is apparently on grounds of such misuse that the facility has now been discontinued. This situation too is highly uncomfortable since women residents are forced to venture out into Nagarbhavi just to get a cup of coffee. Moreover, there is a special necessity for coffee in the late nights and early mornings, during exams. Therefore a viable solution is to provide a manually operated coffee machine in the empty room next to the guards at Gate 2. This will ensure that the machine is not misused by students and will also make coffee available throughout the night!

  1. Provision for drying clothes: The Mess Block is in the worst position in this regard since its rooms do not overlook an open Quad. Hence there are no railings (ledges) where residents can dry their clothes. They are forced to dry them on the terrace, causing extreme inconvenience when it rains. A solution would be to provide a glass fibre roof, covering a portion of the terrace. This would ensure that sun rays reach the clothes without exposing them to rain. A similar provision can be made on the terraces of other blocks as well.

  1. Water Seepage Problem: Several rooms in the Niligiris, Annexe and Mess Blocks face the problem of water seepage. This makes the room damp and the walls dirty, posing a health problem to some residents. Needless to say, it also looks very unappealing! Although the reason cited by administrative authorities it the collection of water on the terrace due to infrequent cleaning, that does not seem to be the actual cause. For instance, the Annexe terrace is clean and there are no signs of water collecting. However, rooms on the ground floor are faced with water seepage. The real problem is probably faulty construction. What is the solution?

1 comment:

Kranti Vanga said...

Open Spaces:
Pragya suggested use of buffalo grass which is less maintenance and almost as good for lawns etc. Also, benches must be set up/restored (not a problem here coz its within the girls hoestel territory)

Common Room:
What connection is presently provided? You can ask for DTh connection. If college funds it, you can ask for public viewing connection. For more info, go to the Tata Sky website and mail them a query from their helpdesk webpage which allows a query about non-residential use.

Coffee Machines:
Either you have provision for coffee inside a hostel/mess or else ideally you must be willing to walk to the canteen to get a cup .. We can't ask for canten to be open till 12 and also want another coffee outlet near gate 2 .. Btw, have suggested that the room near Gate 2 must be restored to a Visitor's Room and refurnished (refer to my report on Rest of Campus) :D

LL.M Hostel: There is a desperate need to cover the window/vent facing the path near Gate 2. At night, the whole corridor is lit and visible from outside. Girls have complained that this is awkward