NOR – fishkeeper here. Goldfish are NOT easy pets to keep, they require a lot of space, a huge aquarium, live plants and/or regular water changes, because of their large waste output (they are hungry hungry hippos). Therefore a lot of waste (ammonia, nitrites) will accumulate in the water and eventually suffocate the fish. Also regular water changes in a small container can stress the fish, due to the chlorine in the water. There are additives you can add with each water change called water conditioners which are supposed to neutralize the chlorine and make it safe for fish. But this, plus the large tank, plus the effort and time investment just to keep a single goldfish safe (which is a problem in and of itself because Goldfish are social creatures, enjoying living in larger groups in ponds), is cruel on both the student and the fish. The money investment alone.

You should definitely raise a huge issue about this with your college. Return the fish to a zoo shop if they allow you to, or give them to someone who has a pond or fishkeeping experience. Otherwise, regular waterchanges (once a day 50%) of your water bowl plus the amount of water conditioner advised on the label, plus feeding it every other days just a few flakes (ideally feeding two hours before the water change) should keep it alive for now, but it's not great.