IPB may close student dormitories

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)