IPB may close student dormitories

BOGOR (JP): The Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) is considering closing some of its nine student dormitories and building commercial buildings on the land, IPB spokesman Agus Lelana said on Wednesday.

IPB will build a new dormitory on the Dermaga campus to accommodate at least 3,000 students. The present dormitory is able to accommodate only 500 students, said Agus.

"The construction of the new building will start this year," Agus said.

Three of IPB's dormitories are located on the Dermaga campus. Four dormitories are located on Jl. Juanda, in front of the Bogor Botanical Gardens. The remaining two are situated on Jl. Siliwangi.

The institute has 22,000 students.

In December, the government introduced autonomy on state campuses. Under the new regulation, institutions of higher learning have been awarded ownership of their buildings and land.

State universities are also allowed to seek funding for educational or research projects. However, the subsidy from the government has been reduced as universities are now expected to achieve financial self-sufficiency.

IPB students have reacted cautiously to the dormitory plan. Student leader Ahmad Sukhan said students could understand that IPB would need more funds, but the plan should not be at the expense of students.

"We will maintain this facility, but we will wait for further explanations from the institute," said Ahmad. (21)