St. Xavier’s University, New Town, a private university, will start in-person classes for all the students from January 3.
The university will continue to hold classes and exams over digital platforms in the ongoing semester, said vice-chancellor Father Felix Raj.
PhD scholars can resume their on-campus research activities from November 16 while staying in the hostels.
“The classes in conventional (physical) mode for all the students are expected to commence from 3rd January, 2022,” says a notice signed by the VC.
An official of the university in New Town said the online classes for first semester students would be held till November 30 and for third and fifth semester students it will be held till November 23.
“We did not want to bring them to the campus for attending offline classes for the remaining days,” he said.
The semester examinations will begin from December 1.
Since the students have attended classes over online platforms, they will write the exam over online mode as well, the official said.
“By changing the mode, we did not want to disturb the momentum. Besides, we have several outstation students. After attending online classes till the end of November, they cannot be told to come to the campus for writing the examination in-person,” said VC Father Felix Raj.
Undergraduate and postgraduate students can also apply for a stay in the WiFi-enabled hostels from next week for attending classes and examinations over online platforms, said registrar Ashis Mitra.
The students who want to stay in the hostels will have to isolate themselves in a facility located on the eighth floor of the hostels, for a week.
“They will have to take an RT-PCR test. Upon getting a negative test report, they will shift to rooms. Since those seeking hostel accommodation will come using public transport, it is a must that they undergo isolation,” said an official.
The university has two hostels — one each for boys and girls — with a capacity to accommodate 600 students.
Other than the research scholars, those who require hostel accommodation now, will be given single-room accommodation, the official added.
The research scholars usually stay in the single room accommodation.
“We have to think how the physical distance can be maintained in the hostels once students in increasing numbers start arriving from January,” said another official.
St Xavier’s College, Park Street, will resume off-line classes with outgoing postgraduate and BEd batch from November 16 along with resuming research activities.
Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira seeks consent
Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira in Belur has sought consent from guardians of students who will return to hostels to attend in-person practical classes from November16.
In the consent form, the guardian has to say that his or her ward has voluntarily opted to stay at Vidyamandira and he is fully aware of the Covid-19 situation in the country.
The guardian will also need to give an undertaking that the college will not be held responsible if the student gets infected.
The student, too, has to sign a declaration form, agreeing to identical conditions.
Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur. File photograph