UCU defends compulsory residence for students

Aug 14, 2007

THE Uganda Christian University (UCU) has defended its compulsory residence policy for all first-year students. Under the scheme, all first-year students will pay sh425,000 per semester. Prof. Stephen Noll, the vice-chancellor, said the policy was there to stay.

By Joel Ogwang

THE Uganda Christian University (UCU) has defended its compulsory residence policy for all first-year students. Under the scheme, all first-year students will pay sh425,000 per semester. Prof. Stephen Noll, the vice-chancellor, said the policy was there to stay.

“We did a survey and found out that a student who stays in a hostel incurs over sh500,000 in costs per semester. Students also attend lessons in time because they live inside the campus,” he explained.

Noll said students residing in the varsity halls were entitled to meals, water, electricity and Internet. The policy invoked wild protests in 2006, with the students arguing that the fee was exorbitant.

Addressing the press at the campus recently, Noll said popular universities have a similar arrangement. In the US, students reside at the campus for the last two years.

“The world is now a global village and to keep pace with Harvard and Yale universities, which are considered among the best worldwide, UCU will emulate their policies,” Noll said. He added that residing at the campus helps students to fellowship, share experiences and attend lectures in time.

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