RESIDENCE IN COLLEGE

1.1      RESIDENCE IN COLLEGE

Residential facilities on the College campus for out-station Junior Members of College have been an integral part of College life ever since its foundation in 1881. Collectively, these facilities are known as “Residence” and the Junior Members living there in are known as Gentlemen- or Ladies-in-Residence. In recent years the total number of Junior Members in residence has been around three hundred and eighty.

Residence plays an important role in maintaining the plurality and multi-cultural ambience of the College. We make an effort to have a diversity of languages, faiths, regions, and nationalities represented in Residence.

Residential Facilities are divided between six Blocks located in different parts of campus. These Blocks are named after former Principals of College. They are: Allnutt North and Allnutt South Blocks (named after Revd. Samuel Scott Allnutt, Founder Principal, 1881-99), Rudra North and Rudra South (named after Mr. Sushil Kumar Rudra, Fourth Principal, 1906-1923), and Mukarji East and Mukarji West (named after Mr. Satya Nand Mukarji, sixth Principal, 1926-1945). The Allnutt South Block became the first ladies block in July 1997. Subsequently, the Rudra South and Rudra North Blocks also have been converted to ladies’ blocks. Presently there are three men’s blocks and three ladies’ blocks.

The Residential Blocks are a part of a composite architectural design for the whole College in which the building flows into one another, with generous space in between, and a number of courts and lawns. The distinguished architect Walter Sykes George (1881-1962), who had worked under Sir Edward Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker in the design of the capital complex of New Delhi, designed the layout and building for the new campus when the College moved from the Kashmere Gate site to its present location. (Incidentally, Walter George along with his wife also rendered for many years invaluable service to the Shakespeare Society, the Dramatics Clubs in St. Stephen’s College in the design and construction of scenery for the annual productions of the Society)

1.2      ADMISSION TO RESIDENCE

Admission to Residence in the first year (and for MA Previous students) is granted at the same time as admission to College. Those outstation candidates who require residence may indicate this in the application form. Application for residence does not guarantee admission into the Residence.

During the course of the interview for admission to College, the candidate will also be examined for his or her suitability for being granted residential facilities on the campus. The list of junior members selected for admission is normally displayed on the College Notice Board and website the day after the interviews for a particular course have been completed. Those who have been granted residential facilities will find an indication to this effect after their name. They are expected to deposit their original certificates, three passport size photographs and the first installment of fees along with other documents mentioned in the Admission Prospectus, within three days of the display of the Admission List, failing which their admission is automatically cancelled and the place is allotted to the next person on the waiting list.

After the admission list has been put up, no application or request is entertained from those junior members who have not been accommodated in Residence. In case any seat falls vacant during the course of the year, applications for the vacant places are invited by the Dean. Only on the issue of such a notice by the Dean should applications be submitted. Similarly, a notice is put up by the Dean for filling up vacant places, if any, for the second and third year Junior Members as also for those in the final year of the MA or MSc. Allotment is made from among the applications received.

Admission to residence in the second and third years is done on the basis of an interview at the end of every academic year with a view to analyzing the academic commitment of the Student. This is also to facilitate other students living outside who perform well in their examinations to get an opportunity to be part of the residential life in campus.

Priority for place in Residence is given to out-station candidates. If any vacancies remain, Junior Members from satellite towns or cities contiguous to Delhi, and subsequently those living in Delhi, will also are considered. The need of the candidate is an important criterion for the allotment of rooms, and the decision of the College on the relative gravity of need is final.

Admission to Residence is only for one academic year at a time. Those allotted a place in Residence will be required to apply for re-admission for the subsequent year, before the deadline notified for such applications. No admission fees will be charged on subsequent applications.

1.3      JOINING AND LEAVING RESIDENCE

The academic session normally begins in the third week of July. Junior Members-in-Residence who are joining the first year must occupy their rooms by the afternoon of the first day of the academic year. Junior Member-in-Residence, along with their parents, must meet the tutors/wardens of their Blocks during the forenoon of the first day of the academic year, before moving into their rooms. Parents have to be personally present to sign the Residence Enrollment and Undertaking Forms.

In the evening of the first day, all new entrants into Residence, along with their parents and guardians who accompany them are invited to meet the Principal and Faculty members over tea at the Principal’s residence. Second and third year Junior Members are required to come into Residence the day before the beginning of term.

All resident members are normally required to vacate their rooms during the University vacations.  The Dean may permit a resident student to stay back, if satisfied that there are compelling reasons for the student to do so. However, the Principal shall have the right, if he deems it necessary, to ask for the whole of residence to be vacated during the vacations. (Students will, however, be allowed to retain their rooms till the completion of their own examinations if that happens after the start of the vacation period.)

1.4      FORFEITURE OF RESIDENCE FACILITIES

Any Junior Member in Residence may be asked to leave Residence if, in the opinion of the College authorities, his or her continued presence in Residence is not conducive to the well-being of the community on campus. Unsatisfactory academic progress, lack of participation in College functions and activities, or non-payment of College dues in time, shall result in the withdrawal of residence facilities.

Junior Members in Residence are expected to be familiar with, and to follow scrupulously, the rules and customs of the College. Inability to do so, for any reason whatsoever, will result in the forfeiture of Residence facilities. They are expected to maintain high attendance at lecture, tutorials and practicals. In order to retain a place in Residence, the minimum attendance required is 80 percent of the classes held.

Junior Members in Residence in their first year are also expected to be regular in attending the Morning Assembly, and to maintain a very high percentage of attendance (a minimum of 85 percent). The Assembly is a unique institution in College which aims at the character formation of the junior members and therefore attendance in the assembly is mandatory for all first years.

1.5      ADMINISTRATION OF RESIDENCE

The Dean is responsible to the Principal for the supervision of the progress and conduct of Resident Junior Members. He or she is also responsible for the overall administrative control and organization of all matters connected with Residence.  The Dean is assisted by Block Tutors and Wardens. Each block for men has a Block Tutor who is responsible for matters concerning the Junior Members in his Block. The Ladies’ Blocks have full-time Wardens to ensure their welfare and security.

1.6      ACCOMMODATION AND FACILITIES

The rooms in Residence are spacious, airy and well-lit. Washrooms are provided on each floor, and there is provision for hot water during winters.

College provides ample opportunities for the all-round development of its members. The College Library is well stocked and is regularly updated. The Francis Monk Gymnasium, the Junior Common Room (JCR), the Ladies Common Room (LCR), playing grounds, courts for tennis, basketball and squash rackets, a shooting range, are some of the facilities available to Junior Members.

The Chapel is open to all, without any discrimination. All Junior Members may visit the Chapel at any time for prayer and meditation.

Apart from games and sports, junior members are also actively involved in the running of a large number of College Clubs and Societies. These include the “subject societies” (the English Literary Society, Physics Society, History Society, etc.), but the full range of societies is much wider. We have, for example, the Debating Society, the Social Service League, the Shakespeare Society and Shakespeare Sabha (for English and Hindi dramatics), the Photographic Society, the Hiking Club, the Music Society and so on.

All Clubs and Societies function under the over-all direction of the College Registrar-of-Societies; in addition, each Club or Society has a Staff Advisor to guide and assist junior members. These Clubs and Societies form the hub of College activity, giving the College community a very packed annual calendar with a holding of co-curricular activities, including talks and discussions, and a wide range of cultural activities including debates, dramatics, hiking and trekking, music, photography, fine arts, films, etc. An Internet Resource Centre provides facilities for email and internet access.

The College Dispensary, under the care of a qualified nurse, provides medical aid to students as and when required. A qualified Doctor is on call and visits the dispensary periodically. A Professional Counsellor is also available for help and guidance.

Meals are had in the Dining Hall, and will not be served in the rooms, except when the resident scholar is unwell and is certified to be unwell by the College Nurse. The College Café is open in the morning and up to 3 p.m., and again in the evening from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Junior Members have access to it on separate payment for what they may have there. (The “Mess Bill” covers only Dining Hall charges for the regular meals).

All Junior Members are expected to be appropriately dressed when they are in the classrooms, the Dining Halls and elsewhere on the campus.

1.7      FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT

Every Resident is responsible for the care of his or her room and of the furniture provided therein. A charge shall be made for all damage not due to normal wear and tear. Before leaving Residence it is necessary for a Resident to obtain a certificate from the Estate Office that all furniture, fittings and equipment in his or her room are in good condition.

Permission to use any electrical appliance other than those supplied by College must be obtained in advance from the Dean. Use of unauthorized appliances shall invite a heavy charge, apart from disciplinary action. All electrical appliances must be switched off on leaving the room even if it is only for a few minutes failing which a fine as decided by the Bursar/the Dean will be imposed.

1.8      ROLL CALL AND LEAVE

Leave of absence from Residence, including during weekends, must be obtained from the Dean through the Block Tutor or Warden.

Resident Junior Members are required to fill in the ‘Daily Leave Register’ every time they leave the College campus and to sign the same on their return. They are required to be on campus latest by 10 p.m. Late Leave (from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.) may be granted by the Tutor/Warden at his/her discretion under exceptional circumstances. Outstation leave will be granted by the Dean, through the Tutor/Warden, on the basis of a written request from the parents.

Resident Junior Members are permitted to have a “night out” on weekends only if it has been sanctioned by the parents. Parents must specify on the Residence Admission Form whether late night/night out is to be granted to their wards or not. In sanctioning these, the parents are to note that the responsibility for their wards, while outside the campus, shall vest on them and the local guardians and not on the College.

Parents of Resident Junior Members must submit a list of names (with addresses and mobile numbers) of those person or persons who may be designated as “local guardians”. All names in this list are subject to the approval of the Dean.

Resident Junior Members must obtain prior sanction at least a day in advance from the Tutor/Warden before availing leave. Leave from Residence will be granted only on the basis of a written application or request from the parent or local guardian. Such a request should be sent to the Dean by post/email well in advance. No “authorization letter” in this regard will be acceptable.

Resident Junior Members who, having proceeded on leave, fail to return by the stipulated day/time shall forfeit their privilege to stay in Residence.

Roll Call of Resident Junior Members is taken daily at 10 p.m. when the College gates are closed. Not signing the attendance register, or persistent late-coming, shall constitute a breach of College discipline.

Applications for sick leave from Resident Junior Members must be supported by a medical certificate from the College Doctor and countersigned by the Block Tutor/Warden/Dean. No other certificates shall be accepted.

1.9      MISCELLANEOUS

Ragging in any form is banned and this rule is applied very strictly. Those found ragging, or supporting ragging, or being a party to it in any manner whatsoever, shall be severely dealt with, including possible expulsion from College.

Under no circumstance shall ladies visit the rooms of Junior Gentlemen in Residence or their Residential Blocks, or vice versa.

Guests are normally not permitted to stay at night in Residence. The presence of unauthorized guests in Residence is a very serious matter and the scholar having such a guest will be asked to forfeit Residence.

Junior Members are strongly urged to ensure that they do not keep any kind of valuables or expensive equipment with them in their rooms. They are also strongly urged to ensure that the rooms are locked even if they go out only for a few minutes or to the washroom.

The use of intoxicants in any form or manner is strictly prohibited and the violation of this rule will invite an immediate suspension/expulsion from Residence.

Residence students are not permitted to keep pets in their rooms nor are they permitted to feed and encourage pets in College. College is home to several junior members, some of whom are allergic and some others visually challenged; it is important that such junior members also find the College campus a safe and comfortable place to stay. Strict penalties including suspension or cancellation of residence may be invoked in suitable cases.

Junior Members shall not ride bicycles, motorcycles or scooters in the College courts but shall leave them locked in the sheds provided for this purpose. No bicycle, motorcycle or scooter should be left in any other part of the College. Resident Junior Members are not allowed to keep cars or jeeps.

Playing games in the corridors, verandas, or anywhere near the Residential Blocks is not allowed. Junior Members are always expected to be mindful of the convenience and comfort of others. Musical instruments should be played only in a manner such that no disturbance is caused to others. No noise of any kind is expected after 10 p.m. Visitors are not permitted to be in College after 10 p.m.

All Resident Junior Members must immediately inform the College Office in case of a change in their home address and parent’s contact details.

All dues to the College washer-man, newspaper vendor, Café, and other bills, must be paid by the end of each term. It must be ensured that the Term Bills are paid on time in order to avoid late payment charges and subsequent removal from the College Rolls. Junior Members, whose names are removed from College Rolls for non-payment of dues, may have their names restored only on the payment of all admission dues.

At the end of the academic year, Resident Junior Members are required to vacate their rooms within two days of their last examination. If for some reason one has to stay longer, the Principal’s permission must be obtained in advance.

Block tutors:
Mr. Tushar Sachdeva (Mukarji West)
Mr. Naveen John Panicker (Allnutt North)
Dr. Askhya Rana (Mukarji East)
Dr. Violet Macwan (Rudra North)
Dr. Shruti Thakur (Allnutt South)
Ms. Divya Singh (Rudra South)

Block wardens:
Ms. Veronica Bor (Rudra South)
Ms. Zenthianmuan Haokip (Rudra North)
Ms. Esther Lamvangnei (Allnutt South)