Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) has issued a one-week ultimatum to the university administration to resolve the housing crisis facing new students.
Ducsu and hall union leaders staged a protest and sit-in in front of the Registrar Building from noon on Monday, demanding an immediate solution to the accommodation problem.
Following the protest, Ducsu General Secretary SM Farhad raised the issue with university officials.
“Three weeks ago, the Vice-Chancellor assured us that the seat problem would be resolved quickly. But so far, there’s been no meaningful action — no committee, no visible plan,” he said.
He warned that if the issue is not resolved within the deadline, students would escalate their protest.
“By next Saturday, any student who still hasn’t been given a seat must be provided with a housing allowance or subsidy. Otherwise, first-year students will boycott classes,” he said.
Farhad also alleged that a political student organization is attempting to exploit student vulnerability to revive the so-called “ganroom” and “adu bhai” culture in the halls, where seniors allegedly coerce newcomers, and said students would not allow such practices.
Meanwhile, freshers of the 2025–26 academic session collected around 1,800 signatures through a petition drive demanding prompt allocation of residential hall seats.
The students carried out the signature campaign on Monday morning in front of Madhu’s Canteen, with the drive continuing until 6:00 pm.
They later said around 1,800 signatures were collected from fellow batchmates.
Ashhab Ahmed Shahib, a student of Sheikh Mujib Hall, said the initiative was entirely student-led and not linked to any political organisation.
“Those of us who came to campus but couldn’t get seats in the halls posted about it in our group chat. Everyone came together from there and started signing. We will collect all the signatures and submit a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor,” he said.
Nakibul Islam Nipun, a student of Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall, said it had been over a week since he arrived at the university but still could not move into a hall.
He said the situation is disrupting regular classes, increasing commuting time, and adding to the burden of arranging food and other basic needs while living off campus.
“We’ve organized this petition drive with one goal — to ensure proper seat allocation for all 2025–26 students as quickly as possible, and to complete the process before the next session’s classes begin,” he said.
