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UCC students divided over closure of Casford- SRC president says no to "aluta" |
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Students of the University of Cape Coast are divided over the decision by the University management to close down Casely Hayford Hall. |
While some see the authorities' action as very harsh, others think members of the hall deserve that kind of treatment.
Even though several appeals have been made to the University management to tamper justice with mercy, it remains adamant in the enforcement of its decision. The fear is that the safety of lives and property cannot be guaranteed when the students are allowed back into the hall.
The students were on Wednesday forced out of the hall amidst tight police security following acts of lawlessness that erupted over the cancellation of their hall week celebration, which resulted from a clash with the Atlantic Hall.
The hall has since been under tight security by the police to prevent any student from going in. Many of the affected students, numbering over 1,000 are being accommodated by their friends while others who have relations in and around Cape Coast have left campus.
Some students of the University who spoke with The Statesman insisted that the punishment meted out to their colleagues in the Casford Hall is unfair. They don't understand why a clash between them and another hall should result in the cancellation of their hall week and the closure of their hall while the other hall has not been given any punishment.
Meanwhile, a call by a section of the student body for a general demonstration against the University management has been rejected by the President of the Students Representative Council.
Speaking with The Statesman yesterday, Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi could not understand why the interest of the entire student body should be crucified on the altar of advancing the cause of the minority.
"A demonstration will mean a closure of the University. Meanwhile we have just about a month to write our exams and go home. I don’t think majority of our students are in favour of such a move. After all, when the University is closed down the authorities won’t suffer; we will be the losers and I don’t think we have to allow that to happen," Mr Boadi-Kusi contended.
He confirmed that even though several attempts have been made to persuade the University management to rescind its decision, it remains adamant. "They are not ready to change their decision because they feel lives and property must be protected. This is not the first time Casfordians have engaged in such acts and the authorities feel they have been given enough opportunity to change," he added.
Mr Boadi-Kusi disclosed that the University management had told the SRC at a meeting yesterday that they would only be ready for further negotiation if the students vacate a room around the hall in which some have sought accommodation.
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