By Damilare Adeleye
The management of Lagos State University (LASU) has directed staff and students to desist from the habit of sleeping overnight in their offices and classrooms on the campus.
The university authorities, who said such behaviour posed significant security risks and health concerns, warned that appropriate disciplinary actions would be taken against any erring members of staff or students.
This directive was issued following a discussion at the university Senate’s 311th Statutory Meeting on June 27, 2024, which addressed concerns raised in a security report (Ref No: LASU/SEN/ST.311/024/AOB).
The report highlighted instances of staff and students using offices and classrooms for overnight stays, often with makeshift arrangements and kitchen utensils.
The Senate, who also frowned upon some members of LASUSU Executive Committee for converting their offices at the Students Union Arcade to rooms where they also pass the nights with opposite sex, described such conduct as acceptable.
The directive reads, “The Lagos State University Senate at its 311th Statutory Meeting held on Thursday, 27th June 2024, considered a paper Ref No: LASU/SEN/ST.311/024/AOB on a report of the Security Unit on unacceptable conduct on campus by some members of staff and students.
“Senate, during consideration of the paper, noted from the report that:
“i. some members of staff and students are of the habit of sleeping in their offices and classrooms, to the extent of utilising kitchen utensils and other makeshift arrangement;
“ii. this behaviour is not only unbecoming but also poses significant security risks and health concerns;
“iii. in a related development, some members of LASUSU Executive Committee have equally converted their offices at the Students Union Arcade to rooms where they also pass the nights;
“iv. in some cases, the executive members harbour opposite sex overnight, and whenever they are challenged by Security Officers, the culprits often claim that the security men lack the power to challenge them as the Arcade is students-controlled and, therefore, autonomous;
“v. there is the need for the university to take appropriate steps to stop and discourage staff and students from the unbecoming lifestyle.
“Senate, having noted and modified the recommendations of the Chief Security Officer, DECIDED as follows:
“1. Members of staff and students should desist from the habit of sleeping overnight in offices and classrooms; 2. Students have the grace to stay on campus overnight ONLY during examination periods; 3. Appropriate Disciplinary actions shall be taken against any erring members of staff or students; 4. Any member of academic staff who, by exigencies of duty, needs to stay on campus overnight should notify the Chief Security Officer for the awareness of the Security Unit; 5. University Management should issue a guideline to the LASUSU Executive Committee on the use of students Arcade and to let them understand that the facility (Students Arcade) is not for residential purpose.
“All staff and students are to, therefore, note and adhere strictly to the above decisions of Senate.”
Efforts to get reaction from the Students’ Union proved abortive as the Public Relations Officer, Ibiade Benjamin, declined to comment on the development.
Similarly, the Union President,Tobun Haroun Dolapo, promised to get back to our correspondent, but couldn’t not as at the time of filing this report.