Residence Life Office Directs Vacation of Campus during Winter Break; Students Claim Unclear Grounds to Seek Permission to Stay

On 14th December 2025, a day after the Monsoon 2025 semester ended, the Residence Life Office (ResLife), in an email addressed to the student body, directed that all students vacate the campus for the winter break. This has been a first in the communications by ResLife that such a policy has been implemented. 

The email quoted a clause from the new Residence Life Policy, which was communicated on 30th July, 2025, which stated that “Access to Residence Halls during Summer and Winter breaks (as mentioned in the academic calendar) is strictly prohibited unless specifically approved by Residence Life.”  Students were made to sign it before the commencement of the Monsoon Semester.

Many students raised questions regarding the timing and the message communicated via the mail. Ira Kumar* (UG’ 28), who is staying on campus to intern with a faculty member, told The Edict that the announcement was “abrupt” and expressed concern regarding the Residence Life Office’s lack of communication when she emailed them with her reasons for staying back on campus. Several students echoed her sentiment, most of them sharing the impression that they were allowed to stay back during the winter break without having to seek permission from authorities, as has been in the past. 

The following day, the Ashoka University Student Government (AUSG) met with Ms. Shiuli Biswas, Head of Residence Life, and Dr. Dheeraj Sanghi, Dean of Student Affairs, to discuss the rationale behind the policy. Dr. Sanghi stated that the decision was informed by instances of deteriorating mental health conditions observed during the previous winter break. According to him, the administration had noted that staying over the winter break supposedly exacerbated mental health issues, serving as a basis to introduce this change. This has not been implemented before, even though it was a part of the Residence Life policy in previous years.

Students also pointed out that the fee structure sent at the beginning of every semester mentions that “the Residence Cost is based on an average stay duration of nine months a year. Special permissions must be sought if a student seeks to stay on campus during vacation periods.” 

It was clarified by Mr. Sanghi and Ms. Biswas during the AUSG’s meeting that, while no student shall be asked to leave before 20th December, the fee charged for nine months is primarily only accounted for during the two semesters. Additionally, if any student has a valid reason to be present on campus, it is to be communicated by a Google form circulated by the Campus Life Ministry (CLM) with evidence. If approved, they can stay on campus during the break without incurring any extra cost.

This instruction also includes international students. In the past, they were given access to winter housing unconditionally. However, with the new change, they have also been asked to enter their requests, with some saying that there has been no clarity afforded on the matter. Neha Jain* (UG’ 27), an international student who is planning on travelling during the vacation also noted her concern over being allowed back inside the campus when she comes back, citing the obscurity over the necessary reasons for approval. 

Rohan Jagender* (UG '26) described confusion surrounding the university’s process for granting permission to remain on campus after the semester ended. The student said there was no prior communication on the matter and that they had not personally sought permission, as their faculty supervisor for their thesis will inform the relevant people. They added that a form to be circulated by the Campus Life Ministry (CLM) would serve to notify the University of their stay pending approval.

Calling the process “unclear and infuriating,” he said the Residence Life team contacted their department manager, who then reached out to the student and their faculty supervisor. According to Jagender, the criteria for valid reasons to stay back were not clearly defined.

At the time of speaking to The Edict, he said he had received no confirmation regarding permission and added that none of their Ashoka University services had been disabled, as is usual after recurrent infractions of the university policy(s). “This isn’t just carelessness, it’s borderline malice. The administration cannot forget to coordinate amongst themselves and then send an email right after the semester ends and expect students to pack up and leave. Their insistence on using the mental health of students as a blanket cover against any rationality is very concerning,” he said. 

*Pseudonyms have been provided to these individuals to preserve their anonymity. 

[Edited by Sahana Radhakrishnan, Tanisha Pandey, and Madiha Tariq.]