adminadmitted into the hostels.
The halls of residence are not full two weeks after the institution opened for this semester.
In an interview on Monday, UZ Vice Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura said although the two mega-litre water reservoirs had helped improve boarding conditions at the campus, the water crisis was not over.
“Resident fees are pegged at US$400 for 15 weeks full board including all meals. Not many students have turned up to register in our halls of residence may be some students find the charges high,” said Prof Nyagura.
In addition to the US$400 for accommodation and food, students have to pay tuition fees which ranges from about US$400 to US$674 depending on the programme.
According to the UZ website, students have an option to pay both their tuition and accommodation and food fees in installments if they are not able to raise the full amount at once.
The university accommodates at least 4 300 students in its halls of residence. Professor Nyagura indicated that the refurbishment of female hostels was complete but they had not been fully taken. The halls of residence were closed in 2007 because of erratic water supplies.
Since then, the unavailability of water in the reservoir and full restoration of running water had made it impossible for the institution to admit students into halls of residence.
When The Herald visited the university, tap water was running in all the hostels. Some students interviewed said the accommodation fees were beyond the reach of many.
“The charges are too high. We are appealing to the responsible authorities to review the charges as most of us cannot afford,” said law student.
A student who identified herself only as Tracy said although it was a welcome development to re-open the hostels most students could not afford to move in.
“We come from different backgrounds and most of us from poor families and we thought hostels were meant or students to stay close to the place of study. But with such charges they will no longer
serve their purpose,” she said.
Online Reporter