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February 2012
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Message from the Principal: Safety at the helm of our concern
As a university, we understand that our students will want to engage in Carnival celebrations and we are mindful that many of them, as young adults, seek licence to party with all the vigour of their age cohort. However, we are also mindful of the need to ensure as far as possible the safety of our students, and to provide guidance, mentorship and counsel to our young charges, particularly given the many external influences in society which could be harmful to their mental and physical well-being. Over the years, the Campus has supported the Guild of Students in their Carnival activities. Last year, after numerous reports about security breaches, the large number of participants (in excess of 10,000), indiscriminate alcohol access and disruption to our neighbouring communities, despite our best efforts and the support of our dedicated Campus security, private security, staff members and the national police, the Campus Administration met with the Guild and agreed that a moratorium should be placed on the Parade of Bands until a system could be implemented to manage it more effectively. Having kept an open line of communication with my students to support their creative ideas and efforts, we agreed to an alcohol-free jump-up at the TGR car park from 1-5pm. In today’s society, we cannot over-emphasise vigilance, caution and moderation to our young people. After all, we are in the business of moulding tomorrow’s leaders – a responsibility we take very seriously. The right decision is not always the popular one and we trust that our students and stakeholders would understand this and see it as a life lesson about exercising restraint and good judgment. As I write this, we are already mourning the loss of life of some members of our extended UWI family due to recent vehicular accidents and other tragic incidents. After the celebrations, the safety and well-being of our students and Campus community remain uppermost in our minds. This will always guide our decisions as a Campus as we continue to strengthen our contribution to teaching, research, service and nation-building. Clement K. Sankat |
Over the past month there have been many discussions here, some of them raising the question of the Campus’ support for culture and tradition. The UWI St. Augustine Campus has always celebrated our ethnic, religious and cultural diversity as a people and as Campus Principal, I have always supported our national festivals.