By Irum Saleem
PMLN led government’s harsh economic policies have started taking their tolls on students as well.
The first victim institution is LUMS.
Up to 18 percent increase made in tbe wake of increasing prices or petroleum and devaluation of Pak rupee.
“As student body we demand transparency. You’re taking 100k+ from a double occupancy room. Why the hostels aren’t maintained properly? Why are there rats? Why are the washrooms not washed? Why is the WiFi horrible? Why are the kitchens in such pathetic conditions? asks a student.
Another says “LUMS has increased the hostel fees by 18%. All of this while:
1) The hostels are not properly maintained
2) Rat infested buildings
3) Wifi is horrible
4) washrooms are not washed for days and sometimes even WEEK
#LUMSFeeHike @LUMSFeeHike @LifeAtLUMS @VCofLUMS”
Another Twitter user says ” When prices rise, LUMS is the first to increase their fee by numbers that don’t make sense. But it is always the last to increase the salaries of workers and the payments of student TAs. If you’re “fixing” with inflation then FIX everything, not just your own pockets
#LUMSFeeHike”.
LUMS will be earning 120k-150k per room. One female hostel has 100 rooms at least – that's 1.2-1.5 crore they're earning per building AT LEAST #LUMSFeeHike @LifeAtLUMS @VCofLUMS pic.twitter.com/EuU19xXLX8
— LUMS Fee Hike (@LUMSFeeHike) June 8, 2022
The LUMS admin has had the policy to increase fees with the inflation rates, which were always between 5-9%, but with inflation hitting an all-time high this year at 13%+ the fee hike MUST be resisted and reverted – inflation impacts students more than the admin#LUMSFeeHike
— LUMS Fee Hike (@LUMSFeeHike) June 8, 2022
#LUMSfeehike pic.twitter.com/mXANEgyxd3
— Mariam Asif (@beatsweetness) June 8, 2022
There's been a 13% fee hike in our per credit hour fee (from PKR 23,760 to PKR 26,910). The hostel fee has also increased to over 60k+. To put things into perspective, you'll be now paying 50k+ more just to study the same 16 CHs. #LUMSFeeHike @LifeAtLUMS @VCofLUMS pic.twitter.com/uNU80GZWcL
— LUMS Fee Hike (@LUMSFeeHike) June 8, 2022
Fixed the lums logo#LUMSFeeHike @LifeAtLUMS @VCofLUMS pic.twitter.com/SyqMuRQY24
— LUMS Fee Hike (@LUMSFeeHike) June 8, 2022
While no one negates the competitive salaries argument, it’s imperative for admin to also understand the financial challenges that most students are going thru right now. We don’t own loaded coffers to pay whatever is thrown our way. Have some Mercy. Revert the hike#LUMSFeeHike
— Asfand Katchela (@asfand_katchela) June 8, 2022
The current inflation is hitting the student body far more. They haven't increased TA salaries for ages, but they're always prepared to increase hostel and tuition fees every year. Hostel elevators are poorly maintained and water filters make students sick. #LUMSFeeHike
— LUMS Fee Hike (@LUMSFeeHike) June 8, 2022
LUMS admin hasn't just let us students down but also our families. For most of us, our parents/guardians pay the tuition fees and other expenses including accommodation and food. Breaks my heart to see my parents worried over the fees hike 1/2 #LUMSFeeHike @LUMSFeeHike @VCofLUMS
— ayesha (@ayesha_asim3) June 8, 2022
Moreover, they had the audacity to increase the hostel fee, which was adjusted to inflation just this year, by a massive 18% and didn’t provide us with any reasons behind the hike.#LUMSFeeHike @LifeAtLUMS @LUMSFeehike
— Haris Rajput (@harris_rajputt) June 8, 2022
w the inflation and the economic crisis they have the nerve to increase fees but hey the TAship stipend still remains the same and the janitorial staff is laid off for dumb reasons #lumsfeehike
— gambler mnoor (@percynatsu) June 8, 2022
The students have tried contacting the university administration through mass emails and the Student Council has also tried to talk with the @VCofLUMS but he didn’t even reply to any single of our email. Shows how much he cares.@LifeAtLUMS @lumsfeehike #LUMSFeeHike
— Haris Rajput (@harris_rajputt) June 8, 2022
As student body we demand transparency. You're taking 100k+ from a double occupancy room. Why the hostels aren't maintained properly? Why are there rats? Why are the washrooms not washed? Why is the WiFi horrible? Why are the kitchens in such pathetic conditions? 1/2 #LUMSFeeHike
— ayesha (@ayesha_asim3) June 8, 2022
The institutions must not pass on the bureden to srudbets parents…it is cruel. Government must take a note of this. PAK DESTINY
