For over 100 years, buildings of Lucknow University have served as indicators of the academic tradition and history within U.P. There is more to the University than this structural history; there is a practical difference between these ancient buildings and the newer ones, and many students have become aware of these differences. A few areas of concern which students have noted include: the state of benches, writing boards, ventilation, lighting, and general condition of classrooms. These concerns regarding the classroom environment do not reflect a lack of respect for the academic tradition of the institution; rather, they reflect a growing modernising influence within academic settings. The academic reputation of the institution continues to exist; but, in light of the old campus vs. the new, it appears that the infrastructure of the institution has been partially, if not wholly, overcome by changes. Students tend to say that their experience as a university student is not only about ranking and reputation but also about the degree of comfort and functionality of the learning environment. The classroom will always be the centre of academic activity, therefore, unable to be overlooked.
The older academic buildings still provide some of their department classrooms with an “old-fashioned” class-room layout. The predominant arrangement of seating continues to be long wooden benches (and some multiple-use desks), and many of the long wooden benches have a definite “well-worn” appearance from many decades of use. The evidence of this well-worn seating is very apparent, as the top of the benches and shared desks exhibit numerous scratches, debris long ago scratched-off (or melted), and carved-in initials of past student cohorts that once used the very same seat, who were more than uncomfortable sitting on the same bench for hours on end, particularly with five to six people sitting on a small bench. In relation to the lack of sufficient ventilation in these classrooms, two sources of air movement are by way of ceiling fans and windows; while windows on most days would normally allow for adequate air flow throughout the classroom, in reality, the limited air flow that students currently experience is not sufficient to meet the levels of air flow to which they have become accustomed in other educational settings. The writing surfaces in these classrooms consist of older blackboards. The use of technology in the various upgraded classrooms has only been included in a few of these classrooms.
Most students describe their feelings in an even-handed way, neither negatively (criticizing) nor positively (praising). Raghav Singh, who is a second-year student at university says that older classrooms have some “vintage academic ambience” to them that gives you the impression that you are seated in the same place as someone from the previous generation was when taking classes there, but he also thinks it can be very difficult to concentrate during peak times when the number of students in the class increases dramatically (especially if it is around exam time). A commerce major said the majority of classrooms are functional and maintained at a basic level, but she thinks that seating comfort and lighting would greatly improve long study sessions. An arts faculty major said that the quality of teaching is enough to surpass any small inconvenience caused by the classroom, but some minor modifications could greatly assist him in concentrating.
The most obvious issue affecting classroom dynamics is overcrowding. With an increased number of students enrolled in popular undergraduate programs, classrooms can often feel overcrowded. While these situations do not occur in every lecture, they do reflect how the increased admissions are putting great pressure on the existing infrastructure which is being renovated at a pace that does not keep up with the growth in admissions. While students realize that the expansion of campus is a great benefit for increased accessibility to postsecondary education, they also hope that the enlarged infrastructure will develop at the same rate.
On the contrary, new campus structures demonstrate an alternative academic environment that students view as indicative of modern-day expectations. Newly constructed buildings have superior architectural elements and, therefore, exhibit a more modern appearance when compared to the older structures of old campus; additionally, classroom designs are much improved than those of the older buildings. For example, student desks in the new campus are designed to be much larger than those found in older structures. Furthermore, classrooms are brighter with a more consistent level of lighting; also, several contain improved whiteboards and equipment that allow for different ways to present material. Aanjaneya Singh explains that attending lectures in the new campus provides a much more controlled environment that encourages students’ ability to focus on what is being taught. The distinction between old campus versus new campus is a reflection of advancement not disparity.
The discussion of benches and the quality of classrooms at Lucknow University fits into the broader discussion on reconciling heritage with modernizing public higher education institutions. While appreciative of their educational heritage, many students also hope for continued investment in improving the institution’s facilities. The students’ expectations regarding their physical environments largely revolve around comfort, space, and increased use of modern technology as a part of the educational process. The contrast in style and quality between the old wooden classroom benches located in the older, traditional campus buildings and the modern classrooms and educational technology found on the new campus is evidence of an institution evolving into the 21st century. Whether a student finds themselves sitting in an older lecture hall or a newer classroom, they are always motivated by goals and aspirations in the pursuit of furthering their academic education. Thus, according to campus voices, bringing the physical learning environment into alignment with modern installations will aid in improving ongoing student comfort and the institution’s academic reputation as Lucknow University moves into its second century.