‘EXCESSIVE’ RESTRICTIONS: UB HOSTEL OCCUPANTS BEMOAN

          Despite better efforts by the authorities that be to put order and make the University of Buea (UB) Halls of Residence a comfortable place to live in, it appears that some of its occupants, predominantly consisting of female students are not happy with a number of restrictions which they term ‘excessive’.

          There is actually no gainsaying that the campus hostel reserved for over 100 females only, is of good hygienic standards, with its offer of serenity away from the bustle of Molyko. Couple to this is the constant water flow, the steady electricity supply and the provision of meals, which all together can galvanise into proper studies and nation building.

          As well as there are many facilities at the UB Halls of Residence, there are equally some major restrictions. Students are not permitted to cook, while no male person visits the occupants in their rooms, irrespective of the relationship.

          While some campus hostel occupants argue that restaurant meals save them form the stress of cooking after classes, others particularly foreigners, are of the opinion that the restaurant meals are usually not tasteful enough for their satisfaction. As such, they should be allowed to cook.

          According to some UB hostel occupants who talked to this reporter on grounds of anonymity, the restrictions of male persons form entering the hostel is considered to be abnormal and an ‘excessive’ restriction. “The authorities seem not to understand that we are big female students. Family members come to visit but are not allowed, all in the name of boyfriends and “sugar daddies”…A convent is even better”.

          The Pointer observed that some girls have gone to the extent of establishing suspicious relationships with the security guards for special favour in either returning late after the 10pm time limit or simply having exit at any point in time.

          At the UB Halls of Residence gate, the impression is quite often given that the campus police officers are serious enough to crush a violent criminal. Yet, many are girls who can not sleep at night with both eyes closed. If vandals are not around to sexually assault them, then it should be thieving idiots who come for their “daily bread”.

          Though it seems the many prevailing malpractices have not come to the notice of the hostel warden, most of the hostel occupants look forward with great expectations for changes in policies and security.

By AMINDEH BLAISE ATABONG