Student Leaders in Zik Hall: The Right and Duty to Enforce Rules

In the last editorial piece, the possibility of short-living one’s stay in Zik hall was addressed. The piece broached the issue of Zikites’ flagrant infringement of hall rules and the attendant consequences. But addressing the problem of breaching hall rules goes beyond calling out perpetrators. The nature of rules, especially regulatory ones, informs that if compliance is expected, enforcement must be effected. To this end, this piece will spotlight the enforcers of rules in Zik hall, their roles and the observed lapses.

First, it is necessary to stress from the outset that the identified enforcers of rules which this piece captures are not porters or staff members. By virtue of the Zik Hall Constitution, the body of administrators of the hall is inclusive of executive, legislative and judicial office holders. As such, members of the executive, legislative and judicial council are not only responsible for the performance of their constitutional duties but are also upholders of the hall’s rules.

The implication here is that student leaders in Zik hall, whether elected or appointed, can compel Zikites’ obedience to hall rules and address instances of infringement. Particularly, the onus of enforcing the regulations guiding the hall lies in Floor representatives. This is why they are expected to ensure the maintenance of facilities on the floors they represent. Isn’t it therefore an aberration to hear reports of gross misconduct in B block, where an occupant of B3 constituency defecated from the balcony? But this is just an instance of the many barbaric acts Zikites perpetrate which sometimes go unaddressed. 

Of course, a floor representative is not exactly to blame for the personal breaches of their floor members. However, where a lapse in duty is chargeable to them, then questions must be answered. An instance of such lapse is observable in the absence of a considerable number of floor representatives at a recent stakeholders’ meeting of the hall management and student leaders. Dr. Oke, one of the assistant hall wardens, present at the meeting while making several pressing remarks on the lacuna in the functions of the student leaders was glaringly consternated by the absence of a majority of the floor representatives at the meeting.

Aside from the oversight functions of the floor representatives, the office of the Attorney General is much more relevant to the enforcement of hall rules. However, after about 9 weeks into his tenure, plus the 8 months of ASUU strike, the AG is still in search of members to constitute his ethics and litigation committee that would aid in the discharge of his duties. The AG’s dereliction is however just a symptom of a larger disease plaguing Zik hall’s judicial system. 

Since the commencement of the session, a new Judicial Council is yet to be inaugurated. The effect is that Zik hall’s judicial institution remains closed to Zikites who might want to approach the court for redress. More adverse is the fact that the AG is impeded from reviving the Judicial Council, never mind instituting actions on infringement of hall rules.  

Finally, while student leaders, especially floor representatives in Zik hall must assume a posture of seriousness in enforcing rules and regulations governing conducts in the hall, Zikites must be conscious of the authority of their elected and appointed leaders to enforce compliance as far as it lies within the ambits of their powers.