LU new session begins on pleasant note

Updated on: Monday, July 18, 2011

The new academic session of the Lucknow University began on a pleasant note on Saturday, literally. As heavy rains broke the 10-day dry spell, freshers, though not in large numbers, turned up to get a feel of their new alma mater. Since most of the teachers too remained absent due to rains and Bed counselling, very few classes were held on day one. Orientation programmes for freshers were held in the departments of sociology and law.

The campus looked spick and span, a result of the cleanliness drive undertaken on Friday. Most of the newcomers came in groups. They mingled with each other, took a tour of their departments, checked the time table and sipped hot tea in canteens. But some looked disappointed. They felt the university had made no effort to welcome them. "We spent almost an hour to note down the timetable. There was no one from the university to assist us in locating our classrooms." complained Shashi and Monica, who have taken admission in BSc.

Their friends,, Kajal and Hemlata, who have joined BCom, added: "University is a big place unlike school. The university authorities should have at least taken some initiative like putting up pointers giving directions to students about the location of their classrooms." A bunch of boys, all BA students, shared: "We went to the classrooms but there were no teachers to guide and interact with us. We sat for some time and then decided to take a tour of the university." Atul, Ajay, Santosh, and Alimuddin became friends on the first day. Kundan, another student, said that university should have at least organised an interaction session for newcomers with the teachers and senior students. Since 100 teachers of the university are busy with BEd counseling, they could not take classes. University officials, however, blamed the rains for a dull start to the new academic session. But students said LU officials could have put up a better show, at least on day one.

"First impression is what makes the difference," quipped a newcomer. Talking about university's preparations, dean students welfare, Prof Rakesh Chandra, said: "We ensured that the entire campus looked neat and tidy. The university lanes and the drinking water area had been cleaned." He added that university is also planning to organise an interaction programme next month while a job fair in September is also on the cards. Prof Chandra said a guidance cell has been opened for first year students. Meanwhile, vice-chancellor MK Mishra inspected the various departments in the morning. Sources said the V-C expressed displeasure over the thin attendance of students. The V-Cs effort to upload timetables on the website also took a backseat.

Suggesting a way out, Prof Rajesh Mishra of sociology department said: "Senior students should also take initiative in putting up desks and propagating important things such as ragging control or helping freshers in solving their queries. This trend is seen in many reputed universities and we can also incorporate it."

Times of India

LU new session begins on pleasant note

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