Colleges think up innovative ways of increasing fee

The last section of the Jesus and Mary College application form asks the parent the following question: How can you help the college to build an auditorium if your daughter gets admission in this college? This is followed by three blank spaces. The college is blatantly asking for donations say some parents, while others wonder what they were expected to write against those three blank spaces.

The fee breakup of some of the most sought after colleges of Delhi University indicate various such heads under which the fee structure is being enhanced every year. St Stephen’s is charging Rs 150 per month for the renovation of one of the hostel roofs that collapsed, SRCC charges Rs 30 annually for parking and Rs 180 for campus security.

At Lady Shri Ram College, students pay under three separate heads for use of the library: Rs 20 per month for the reading room, Rs 10 per month under library improvement fund and Rs 20 per month for library. Similarly, SRCC charges Rs 120 annually under development fund and also expects students to pay Rs 400 annually for college maintenance.

St Stephen’s charges Rs 100 annually as development fund and also asks non-resident students to pay Rs 175 every month for establishment. Students of Indraprastha College will pay Rs 250 as college library fee and Rs 25 as library improvement fee this session.

“The library fee is for the books and the reading room. The library improvement fee is for any other work we want to do in the library,” says principal Aruna Sitesh. “In fact, this time our library committee members had suggested that we also increase the library improvement fee considering that books have become so expensive.”

SRCC’s parking fee is apparently very old. “This fee was introduced in the college much before I took over as principal two years ago ,” says J.L. Gupta, principal.

“Apparently, there were a few cars of students that got stolen from the college. Also, everybody who came to the area parked their cars in our campus. Subsequently, it was decided in consultation with the students that this fee would be charged. We now have an attendant. The parking lot is used only by students and staff of the college.”

The Delhi University Students Union and senior officials of the university don’t buy these arguments. But these are the best they are getting at the moment. St Stephen’s, LSR and the others are not giving any explanation for these heads.

“According to university rules, colleges are not permitted to increase the fees under certain specified heads, which includes the tuition fee,” explains A.K. Sinha, dean of student welfare.

“When these ordinances were made, the university did not expect colleges to introduce heads like library maintenance and centenary fees. Unfortunately, the university can only intervene in this matter if the students protest. Otherwise, there is nothing we can do.”

Under financial assistance, students from economically weak backgrounds are given a fee concession. The Rs 15 tuition fee for these students is waived off, but they are expected to pay the other charges.

Keeping this in mind, the recent withdrawal of the fee hike related to the pay revision has been termed an “eye-wash” by both the students and university officials.