Punjab University hostel affairs under scanner after delay in wardens’ extension

Punjab University's hostel management is under investigation after the PU Teachers Alliance claimed the university administration delayed extending the tenure of several hostel wardens and superintendents. The alliance questioned the authority given to these officials, whose official appointments had already expired, but who were still signing financial documents. These individuals are described by the alliance as serving as university teachers with additional administrative duties.

The teachers' group expressed concern over the prolonged uncertainty about the tenure of these hostel officials, stating it caused anxiety for both the teachers performing hostel tasks and the students. They also questioned the university's decision to grant only a six-month extension to hostel duties, arguing it was inconsistent with normal tenure arrangements. The alliance demanded clarification on the legal and administrative basis for these officials continuing to exercise financial authority.

The university administration, however, dismissed the allegations, calling them an incomplete portrayal of the statutory position and the reforms undertaken in the hostels. The director general of security and students' affairs, Rehan Sadiq Sheikh, clarified that hostel wardens and superintendents are appointed by the vice chancellor for two years, with a possibility of a further three-year extension granted by a higher authority.

He noted that while some wardens and superintendents have served longer, the university had removed hundreds of unauthorized occupants in 2025, allowing around 600 students to secure accommodation on merit. The administration also reported an increase in hostel financial recoveries from January to April 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.

The controversy highlighted the need for a clear and uniform policy for additional administrative assignments, according to a university faculty member. They argued that hostel wardens and superintendents should have fixed-term appointments, similar to other academic positions, to ensure transparency, equal opportunities, and prevent concentration of hostel-related facilities and responsibilities among a few faculty members.