Nanyang Technological University (NTU) students may no longer have to worry about triple-sharing hostel rooms.

On Sunday, students at NTU's residence hall 11 received an e-mail from a hall committee member notifying them that the proposal to introduce triple-sharing rooms in residence halls would be dropped.

The New Paper understands that before the e-mail was sent, hall residents had been publicising a 'Black Tee Day', where students opposing the proposal were encouraged to wear black shirts.

One student recorded himself knocking his head on a loft bed atop a study desk.

But the event, originally scheduled for yesterday, was called off.

Representatives from the residence halls reportedly had a meeting with the school administration on Sunday.

GIVEN ASSURANCE

Hall committee members, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that during the meeting, NTU faculty members had given their assurance that the triple-sharing proposal would be dropped.

However, when contacted, NTU would not confirm or deny this.

A spokesman said: 'We would like to reiterate that the triple-sharing room concept is still at the proposal stage.

'During this stage of a project, it is part of NTU's usual procedure to engage stakeholders, in this case, students, in discussion and to seek their feedback.'

The spokesman said a formal recommendation would be made and must first be approved.

'It is premature to speculate on the outcome at this point in time,' the spokesman said.

The New Paper understands that a meeting is scheduled for this week to decide on the outcome.

Students had earlier spoken out strongly against the proposal, posting their views on online forums, blogs and video-sharing site YouTube after a triple-sharing 'showroom' was unveiled in the residence halls recently.

NTU students contacted by The New Paper said it would be a good thing should the triple-sharing proposal be dropped.

Second-year undergraduate Chan Yanni, 21, said: 'It shows that they have taken our feedback into consideration.

'This (triple-sharing) has been so hotly debated since I joined NTU - and as far as I know, none of my friends were for it.'

She said the school administration had been diligent in gathering student feedback through surveys and feedback sessions with hall committee members.

Fellow undergraduate Josephine Ng, 21, was happy to hear that there may be good news ahead.

She said: 'Double rooms are much better than triple rooms, in terms of the amount of privacy and space.

'Rooms in the halls - especially the older ones - are very small. It would be too cramped with a third person.'

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS

However, she said that if the proposal is dropped, the university would have to find alternative solutions to the shortage of residence hall space.

'It is already difficult to get a space in the hall - I know friends who participate actively in activities but still can't get a room,' she said.

Many students, she said, simply end up 'squatting' illegally in their friends' rooms, without paying hostel fees.

She added that although dropping the proposal would mean greater comfort for hall residents, fewer students would be able to enjoy the benefits of hall living.

This article was first published by The New Paper on Mar 26, 2008.