Just off the main campus of UWI St Augustine, May 27 saw a celebration of the return of a space with a long history as a part of the university community.
WIGUT President Dr Indira Rampersad and UWI St Augustine Deputy Principal Professor Derek Chadee cut the ribbon for the launch of the new Senior Common Room (SCR) while members of the WIGUT Executive and SCR Committee look on. At right is Mr Andrew Boodhoo, concessionaire for the SCR. PHOTO: ANEEL KARIM
The launch of the new Senior Common Room and Conference Centre marks a new chapter for the facility that integrates its two previous functions over the years: a designated social space for academic, senior administrative and professional (ASAP) staff, and as a conference and events space for both campus and external activities.
President of The West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT), Dr Indira Rampersad, spoke at the celebration, saying that, “This is indeed a momentous occasion as, once again, we stand at the crossroads of history, celebrating a defining moment of our union’s struggle.”
On campuses worldwide, senior common rooms (SCR) are spaces that foster collegial relationships among staff. They are used for networking, the exchange of ideas, and social connection. Dr Rampersad noted that the facility was originally donated by the Canadian Government to serve as an SCR, but was taken out of use as a staff social space in 2012 and converted for conference and business-related activity, a change that WIGUT has long campaigned to address.
“We never relented,” she said. “Today we are kick- starting that SCR, which was always a private members club, just bigger and better, bolder and more beautiful.”
The location now hosts conference rooms, social lounges, and a sports bar featuring a 98-inch screen sponsored by the union. The SCR is open to ASAP staff as well as professionals, entrepreneurs, alumni, and community leaders.
Dr Rampersad thanked Campus Principal Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, who was represented by Deputy Principal Professor Derek Chadee at the launch, for her role in bringing back the SCR.
“Principal,” she said, “we also wish to specially thank you, who supported our struggle as Dean of the Faculty of Law and as the Principal, who kept her promise and has returned the SCR to ASAP staff.”
WIGUT also staged Battle for the Bails: Cricket with a Cause II, a friendly T-15 windball match between union members and St Augustine Campus Management, on May 28 at the Administrative West Field. The match was the sequel to last year’s May Day Cricket Mixmatch. Held as UWI Games 2026 continued, the event brought faculty, staff and administrators together in a display of camaraderie and friendly competition.
In closing her speech, Dr Rampersad focused on the work done towards staff advocacy by WIGUT over the years, with this new SCR as their latest success.
“Let us commit ourselves to honouring their legacy by continuing the work of building a robust and active union and SCR,” she said, “both of which reflect the best of what our beloved UWI, our university, once was and can be.”
