By Sylvia Akpan
The management of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has undertaken steps to renovate students hostels and common rooms across its campuses as part of efforts to improve student welfare and provide a more conducive living environment.
The intervention, championed by the Vice Chancellor, Francisca Bassey, has seen great improvements in accommodation facilities, particularly at the Calabar Campus, where hostels that had suffered years of neglect have been rehabilitated and upgraded.
In Calabar campus, hostel facilities that had suffered years of neglect have generally been rehabilitated and brought up to more acceptable standards.
Several defective ceiling fans have been replaced, while critical electrical works have been carried out to improve power supply and safety within the residential facilities.
Also, toilets that were previously in deplorable and inhumane conditions have been renovated and restored to functionality, while comprehensive water reticulation works have been undertaken to ensure a more reliable water supply for students.
The university also addressed security concerns by repairing and reinforcing porous sections of hostel buildings, thereby improving the safety of residents. The improvements are believed to reflect the university’s determination to provide students with accommodation that supports both their academic pursuits and personal well-being.
The institution has also expanded its accommodation capacity with the availability of a new hostel at the Ogoja Campus. The facility is furnished and designed to provide students with a comfortable and modern living environment that meets contemporary standards.
Beyond hostel renovations, the university has also restored Students’ Common Rooms, many of which had remained abandoned for more than a decade due to deterioration and inadequate maintenance. The facilities have been transformed into functional, welcoming and aesthetically appealing spaces where students can relax, socialize, study, hold academic discussions, watch television and engage in recreational activities.
University officials noted that the facilities can also serve as venues for modest social gatherings, including birthday celebrations, within the safety of the hostel environment.
According to the institution, the upgrade are expected to encourage students to remain within the hostels during their leisure hours rather than seeking relaxation venues in town, particularly at night.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Bassey, emphasized the administration’s vision for student accommodation, stating that, “we are trying to make the hostels home away from home.”
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