Mary Seacole Hall Avian Edge 2018

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MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR MESSAGE FROM THE SSDM MESSAGE FROM THE HALL CHAIR MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL MESSAGE FROM THE GUILD THE SEACOLE LEGACY 60 YEARS OF REBEL WOMEN MEET YOUR HALL COMMITTEE BLOCKS PEOPLE TO KNOW 2017/2018 AWARDEES

25 FYE 27 SEACOLE WOW MOMENTS 28 HALL STANDARD, MOTTO & SONG 29 CHUNES 30 FRESHERS’ SURVIVAL GUIDE

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR I am elated to welcome you all to the Mary Seacole Hall and to congratulate you on the beginning of a new journey in your lives. Your university experience is already on the right footing, because you have chosen to become a part of this great sorority. You can find peace in knowing that your sisters will be there to help you through it all. This edition of Avian Edge is intended to celebrate our sorority’s sixtieth anniversary. The Avian Edge is designed to help you learn about hall life, hall administration, our history and traditions. Familiarize yourself with the information here, as it will serve as a guide for surviving and life. understanding orientation and hall

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It is my hope that you understand and appreciate the legacy that has been set for you to build on. As we celebrate Seacole 60: A Rebel Salute, we reflect on the women who came before us and resisted the status quo. It is imperative that we embrace the work they have done and work towards breaking down the barriers that we face today. This is the Seacole legacy.

As your Publications Committee Chairperson for the year, I urge you to look out for monthly newsletters and podcasts that will aid you in starting your hall and university journey on the right footing.

Don’t forget to keep up with our social media pages. Facebook: Mary Seacole Hall, Instagram: @TheMarySeacoleHall and Twitter: @MarySeacoleHall.

Tajna-Lee “Adapter” Shields, Publications Committee Chairperson.

MESSAGE FROM THE SSDM New Seacolites! Welcome to Mary Seacole Hall and welcome to the University of the West Indies. It is indeed an honour to be at the head of this hall as you begin your university sojourn. These are exciting times for you.

It really is a wonderful time to be at The University of the West Indies. The institution is changing; technology, competition financial challenges and opportunities, a whole new world made possible by the information revolution insist that it does.

Of course, you will change the UWI, you will leave your mark, you will create your own legacy and of course UWI will change you as well. You have begun the journey to being a graduate of this the Caribbean’s most reputable tertiary institution. You are now a part of the light that is the UWI.

You have come to the UWI at a time when it is celebrating seventy (70) years of transforming the Caribbean. The UWI’s presence in the Caribbean and the world has been nothing short of revolutionary.

You are also here at a time when Mary Seacole Hall is celebrating sixty years of excellence, sixty years of ensuring that the Caribbean woman’s presence is not undermined, but that it is represented and respected. You have made the right choice; Mary Seacole Hall is a beacon on this Mona Campus a hall of women dedicated to justice, equality and the recognition of all of us as Caribbean and world citizens.

This is now your legacy and you must ensure that you add to it, that you make it a lived philosophy. Seacolites insist that “home is where their hall is” we hope that you will feel at home, that you will feel welcomed, supported and reassured even as you begin to pursue your dreams.

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SSDM’S MESSAGE CONT’D I know as well that you will soon begin to don your black and white with the same insistence that ‘black and white is always right’ and that when you leave Seacole you will know that the voices and the strength of your community, this sisterhood is behind you and the support and love that is embodied in this sisterhood will lift you up and take you through the trials and difficulties of university life. Seacolites know that ‘it is hard being a Seacolite’; but this sisterhood will fight with you, walk with

you, stand with you, but being a Seacolite is also good, very good; these women will laugh with you, make sure that you can celebrate, call you sister when you need a friend and go the extra mile with and for you.

Make sure then that you make use of the opportunities that the hall will create for you. We want you to succeed, in fact we want you to surprise yourself, to surpass your wildest dreams to become so successful that you stand in amazement of yourself. We want to help you do it. Talk to us and let us help you craft a path to

success and develop a vision that you can work towards making a reality. Remember, the quality of your experience will depend on your expectations, your strategy and your discipline. Get to know your resident advisor, she will be a source of wisdom and guidance for you and ‘drop by’ the office to speak with me. We want to know how we can assist you on this journey.

So, participate; in fact, ‘fulticipate’ grasp every opportunity, work on the self you imagined. We promise to be here for and with you.

So welcome to Seacole; your home.

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MESSAGE FROM THE HALL CHAIRWOMAN Freshers all!

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to The University of the West Indies, and by extension the Mary Seacole Hall, the only sorority on campus. You are indeed privileged to join this league of over 250 phenomenal women. Seacole is your place to shine so take advantage of the programmes and opportunities presented to you as they are for your professional and personal development.

As a sorority, sisterhood is one of our key ideals and Seacolites pride themselves on being devout 5

sisters. The bond of sisterhood is sacred to us, and you will find that some of your sisters will become your motivators, study partners, and a shoulder to cry on. So, get to know your sisters and treat them well; embrace the sisterhood and learn as much from your sisters as you can. I wish you an incredible first year filled with success, memories and laughter. Set goals and challenge yourself to achieve them, get involved and remember “Excellence is the best ink with which to make your mark in the world.”- Matshona Dhliwayo Gabriela ‘Trampoline’ Hall Chairwoman

Morris,

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL It is indeed my pleasure to warmly welcome you to The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.

Today you begin a journey that will define the rest of your lives.

This opportunity affords you access to administrative, technical and academic support, information and the tools with which to explore it.

Talk with your lecturers, attend all your classes, read widely, formulate opinions and debate them actively.

You are here, not just for the garnering of knowledge, but for the the training of the mind for innovation, creativity and the positive transformation of your lives and of the lives of your countrymen, the Caribbean Region and indeed of the world. Remain focused and resolute as you set increasingly higher goals for yourself, consistently surpassing them in your journey towards excellence.

Your day to day experience promises to be dynamic, stimulating and rewarding.

No two days will be exactly the same. There will be the constant quest for improvement, the reality of looming deadlines, the reward of innovative solutions and completed tasks, and the thrill of

the next new challenge.

Embrace these moments as they will define the quality of your sojourn.

Finally, the UWI Guild’s Motto, “Together We Can Make It Happen”, is particularly applicable for us all this year, it being your first year as a student of The University of the West Indies and my first year as the Principal of the Mona Campus. I look forward to the year as we both play our parts together, towards making greats things happen.

Professor Dale Webber Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Principal, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.

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MESSAGE FROM THE GUILD PRESIDENT Welcome to the best decision of your life – The University of the West Indies!

It is one of the most diverse places in the Caribbean with over 70 years of service, 70 years of leadership, and 70 years of transforming the lives of students just like you.

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You are here for a degree but the UWI is not just about work and studies - over 170 clubs, 14 island associations, more than 16 sports and a range of events; you are bound to find something that interests you. So, whether it is a classmate from a different country, becoming a club member, a game of lawn tennis or a linkup at Integration Thursday, take the time to have a balanced, enjoyable experience.

The next few years will be filled with a number of challenges that will push you to the brink. However, along the way you will find strength that you never realized you had, interact with people you never thought you would meet and make unbreakable friendships

you never thought possible.

This university will be your turning point; shaping you into the individual you were meant to be.

So, the next time you see me walking on campus, shout out “Shev Will!” and I will come over. Feel free to approach me or the councillors at any time. We are here to serve. #OneMona #OneUWI Together We Can Make it Happen Shevon Williams, Guild President.

THE SEACOLE LEGACY Named in honour of the courageous Jamaican nurse, Mary Seacole, the Hall was built in 1957. At that time three other halls existed; Taylor and Chancellor Halls, which accommodated only males, and Irvine Hall, which housed both males and females. Mary Seacole Hall was built to meet the demand of an increasing female population at UWI, Mona.

In 1958, the Hall opened its doors partially complete. Students had to eat at Irvine Hall as the dining room had been built, but was empty and locked up. Presently, the Hall boasts five blocks with all the necessary facilities to ensure that residents live comfortably. Today, the hall still stands as the only sorority on campus.

Since it’s opening, Mary Seacole has been home to many remarkable and noteworthy women. Through the hall’s programmes, clubs and societies the women on hall are empowered and are encouraged to empower other women.

The hall places emphasis on outreach and activism, as it is through these avenues that we learn to appreciate and advocate for the voiceless and disenfranchised. Mary Seacole Hall boasts outstanding alumni who have made and are making waves in their respective fields.

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SEACOLE 60

A REBEL SALUTE TH

A

Y AR S ER V I N N 1958-2018

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Seacole’s Legacy of Student Leadership: Over the years Seacolites have been known for making their mark in leadership on the Mona Campus. The Guild of students, since it was established in 1951, has only had seven (7) women presidents. of this number, four (4) of which were Seacolites. Past Seacolite and Former Ambassador Angela King was the first woman to become guild president. She then went on to lead the march of students wearing their red gowns from campus to Victoria Pier in protest of Apartheid in South Africa. The Hall currently has a programme, The Leadership Academy, which

is designed to prepare young women who are interested in acquiring leadership positions.

Seacole’s Legacy of Diplomacy: On the international stage we have Seacole women representing the interest of women and women’s development. Angela King, former Seacolite, worked at the Jamaican Foreign Service in London in 1963 and then served at the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York in various capacities from 1966 until her retirement in April 2004.

Lucille Mathurin-Mair, Seacole’s first warden, also served as the deputy head of Jamaica’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in 1975 and became Secretary-General of the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women in 1980 at the mid-point of the UN Decade

for Women. Lucille Mair also served as an ambassador to Cuba. Past Seacolites Patricia Durrant represented her country at the UN for some 15 years since 1971 as a career diplomat and Gail Mathurin served as a Jamaican Ambassador from 1998.

Seacole’s Legacy of Activism: Seacole women have always been advocates for change in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

This legacy began with our first warden, Lucille Mathurin-Mair who played an

important role in helping to shape a new generation of West Indian women, many of whom have gone on to become trailblazers in their own right. Jamaicans Judith Wedderburn and Linnette Vassell, Audrey Roberts in Bahamas and Andaiye in Guyana have been freedom fighters and activists for women and other vulnerable groups. The first student protest in the Caribbean was carried out by Seacolites who were uncomfortable with not having their dining room available to them.

Today, the Mary Seacole Hall is home to

the I’m Glad I’m a Girl Foundation which was created to empower Jamaican girls.

Seacolites in Politics and Policy Review: In the 1960s and 70s after Jamaica emerged from colonial rule, Seacolites like Linnette Vassel, Judith Wedderburn and Beverly Manley championed the abolition of the Bastardy Act, ensuring that children born out of wedlock were entitled to the same rights as those born in wedlock. They also championed the Maternity Leave Act and lobbied for the Equal Pay Act in the 1970s and 1980s.

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MEET YOUR HALL COMMITTEE HALL CHAIRWOMAN Gabriela ‘Trampoline’ Morris Major: Pharmacology Most likely to become a Member of Parliament

DEPUTY HALL CHAIRWOMAN Fiona ‘Soundcloud’ DaCosta Major: Law Most likely to be the next Paula Llewelyn

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TREASURER Norrisha ‘DVD’ Morally Major: Microbiology Most likely to be arrested for Identity theft.

SECRETARY Mandi ‘Uber’ Lynch Major: MBBS Most likely to be confused about what’s going on.

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER Saraj ‘Museum’ Dunstan Major: Biotechnology Most likely to host a show on HGTV 12

CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT AFFAIRS CHAIRPERSON Chantal ‘Wardrobe’ Artwell Major: International Relations Most likely to show up on Caribbean Fashion Weekly CULTURAL & ENTERTAINMENT AFFAIRS CHAIRPERSON Dadre- Ann ‘Stallion’ Smith Major: Experimental Biology Most likely to be the female lightweight Contender.

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON Tajna- Lee ‘Adapter’ Shields Major: International Relations Most likely to become KFC’s next brand ambassador.

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SPORTS REPRESENTATIVE Khadejah “Ali’ Stewart Major: Pharmacology Most likely to join the military.

SPORTS REPRESENTATIVE Reneece ‘Burgah’ Mittoo Major: History and Archaeology Most likely to take the Reggae Girls to the Women’s World cup.

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS CHAIRPERSON Shannell ‘Coffee’ Rodney Major: Economics Most likely to become the Minister of Finance

CULINARY REPRESENTATIVE Rafe ‘Spice’ Jackson Major: Tourism Management Most like to become Jamaica’s female Gordon Ramsay

OFF CAMPUS LIASON OFFICER Brittanie ‘Opal’ Bell Major: MBBS Most like to urbanize St. Thomas

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ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON Davia ‘Chapter’ Smith Major: Computer Science Most Likely to achieve world peace

CULINARY REPRESENTATIVE Renae ‘Housephone’ Brown Major: Pharmacology Most likely to become the Jamaican Oprah Winfrey 15

RETURNING OFFICER Stephanie ‘$’ Brown Major: Biology with Education Most likely to spend her last dollar on a whopper

www.jamaicayp.com

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CROWD BLOCK “THE BEST COMBINATION EVER FORMED” Block Resident AdvisorMs Jodian Stewart Block RepresentativesSherry Kay “Fyah” Jones & Telecia “Pill” Robinson

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DYNAMITE “A POSITIVE EXPLOSION” Block Resident AdvisorMs Necesia McNab Block Representatives Ava Gay “Strap” Robinson & Kishauna “Principal” Moseley

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GREAT BLOCK

“ALWAYS GREAT” Block Resident Advisor Ms Shantae Porteous Block Representatives Aveisha “Infared” Baksh and Kehlesia “Wifey” Thompson

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HYPE BLOCK “SOARING ABOVE THE REST” Block Resident Advisor Ms Kemba Peters Block Representatives Ricallia “Globe” Thomas & Norreka “CD” Morally

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JADE BLOCK “EXCELLENCE FOREVER UNFOLDING” Block Resident Advisor Ms Shawna Stewart Block Representatives-

Xiomara “Out Deh” Granger and Shaneil “Captain” Parsons

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PEOPLE TO KNOW VIVIENNE BARNETT Operations Supervisor Organizing the maintenance and upkeep of the hall’s infrastructure and environs.

PATRICE THOMPSON Oversees the administrative functions on the hall.

ORVILLE REID Assists with the day to day operations of the hall and serves as the hall’s bearer.

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NADEEN SPENCE Student Services & Development Manager Responsible for overseeing the Hall’s operations and it’s environs as supervising all staff and catering to the needs of the hall’s residents.

RECIPIENTS OF THE 2017/ 2018

Role Model of the Year, Seacolite of the Year, Professor Leslie Robinson’s Award for Leadership, Warden’s Trophy -Davoreen Gaynor

PREMIER AWARDS Crowd Blockite of the Year Kimberly Thomas

Dynamite Blockites of the Year-Shayanne Hylton

Crowd Blockite of the Year Zakiyah Rowe

Great Blockite of the Year Aaliyah Providence

Hype Blockite of the Year Ashley Powell

Jade Blockite of the Year Kessanni Kerr

First Years of the Year Shannell Rodney

First Years of the Year Arian Pattman

Sports Woman of the Year Dadre- Ann Smith

Block Representative of the Year Gabriela Morris

Off Campus Seacolite of the Year Yanique Grant

Alumni Trophy for Community Involvement Tajna-Lee Shields

Role Model of the YearDrucsilla Allen

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FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE (FYE) PROGRAMME HELLO FIRST YEARS! Welcome the Mary Seacole Hall.

I’m your First Year Experience (FYE) Coordinator and I look forward to learning, growing and having a wholesome experience with you this academic year.

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This programme is designed specifically for all first year students who reside on Hall. It aims to support you as you transition from High School to University.

FYE has two components that are geared toward engaging learners with different learning styles: large group and small group sessions. The large group sessions introduce students to various areas of development and are usually facilitated by past UWI alums and young professionals.

These sessions provide students with self development tips and strategies that help them to better understand their individual ways of learning; time management and critical thinking skills; budgeting; making the most of their university experience; the importance of critically analyzing social issues; understanding the University’s history and its present day culture; the history of the Mary Seacole and its legacy of activism, advocacy, student leadership and sisterhood; and the importance

of this legacy to the wider University campus. There are five small groups that students are divided into with a Resident Advisor and returning students serving as their mentors. The groups are named after past wardens (Student Services and Development Managers) of the Hall. The groups are Martin, Besson, Reynolds, Mathurin-Mair and Gordon-Stair. In the small group sessions, the students usually have discussions about ways they can apply what they learnt in the large group sessions to their individual lives and share.

They also get an opportunity to interact with students from other countries and cultures in a more relaxed environment which often include group conversations and lymes.

Small and large groups trips are planned for students to explore popular historical, cultural and entertainment sites in Jamaica.

Keep up with us on Instagram @maryseacolehallfye See you at FYE!

decide. Along with its affordability and location, my closest friend also resides on the Mary Seacole Hall so this was where I wanted to be.

What was orientation like for you?

FIRST YEAR Q&A – SHANNELL RODNEY What expectations did you have of Seacole before coming?

Coming on the Hall, truly I had no expectations of Seacole. I was just looking for a reasonably priced space that was close to the life of the campus. I did no research or any pros and cons list to really

Orientation for me was an experience filled with many different emotions. I was dealing with the melancholy that came with not being able to see my family every day, the tiredness and occasional disdain of the early morning wake up calls and restraint imposed from the schedule by which I lived the next 2 weeks. However, it allowed me to explore and engage in activities outside my comfort zone which created a sense of pride and accomplishment. Orientation offered the excitement of new friendships that would not only extend throughout the academic year but for a very long time.

What were some challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

Time Management was the biggest challenge of my first year. I wanted to be a part of many activities but I also needed to safeguard my academic life.

As many will tell you, the Mary Seacole Hall requires a lot from its residents. This is to ensure that you are on the path to becoming the best version of yourself.

The processes however can become overwhelming and so, requires you to prioritise and keep a tight a schedule as possible.

What was your moment on hall?

most

memorable

My most memorable moment(s) on hall were our numerous bunch ups, for the obvious reason of the excitement and energy that is felt in the moment. Yet amidst the noise there is peace and a sense of belonging. To engage in an activity that allows you to transcend your own self-consciousness and fully immerse yourself into sisterhood.

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SEACOLE WOW MOMENTS 2017-2018 1. Garden - The Ubuntu Program oversaw the growth of the Seacole Vegetable Garden. It has been used to aid the Sister- Sister initiative and other persons on hall.

2. Clothesline Project - The Clothesline Project was carried out by the Leadership Academy and was a part of Seacole’s activities for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Messages were put on T-Shirts for survivors of violence to show support.

3. Seacole Safe Space - This was another activity that the hall put in place for the observation of the

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International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This event provided a space for survivors of sexual violence to tell their stories and to find healing.

6. Hall Awards - Seacole Hall Awards takes place annually to celebrate those Seacolites who excelled in various areas and activities throughout the year.

4. Homestead - Every year the Nia branch of the Ubuntu Program puts in place a mentorship initiative where girls from Homestead Place of Safety are mentored by “Big Sisters” at Seacole.

7. Sports - Seacole continues to have a vibrant Sports program. The hall competed in all the university’s sports event and won volleyball, Seacolites conquered UWI’s Sports Day this year, walking away as the champions.

5. Elect Her - Elect Her is an international workshop that encourages and provides women with the tools needed to run for office in the Guild of Students and on Hall Committees.

The Mary Seacole Hall hosts the only Elect Her conference outside of the US annually.

8. Seacole Week - This year Seacole celebrated 60 years through our annual Seacole Week. The week included events like our annual lecture, the Miss Seacole pageant, the inter-block debating competition, the sister-sister social and outreach activities among others.

HALL PLEDGE

HALL SONG

I am a modern Woman, Accountable for all my actions and reliable in all that I do.

I promise to yearn for excellence.

I pledge to live this legacy.

To commit to the bond of sisterhood and to serve with selflessness and creativity.

I pledge to empower every individual that I meet throughout my life, To have a positive attitude towards future pursuits I pledge to live these values today and every day.

I am a woman filled with virtue and value, I AM A SEACOLITE!

(Sing to the tune of John Brown’s Body) When Seacole Hall goes marching, All the girls will march as one, Fighting for the rights of which We will not be undone, We’ll tramp through ranks of alien halls And so protect the walls Of our sorority March, march on girls of Seacole March with strength and virtue And the halls great unity We’ll keep the flag a flying Keep the name of Seacole free As marching on we go.

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CHUNES Seacole, Seacole Black an white yeh it strong innah wi soul!

Dem oda halls caan come near wi Pispan haffi hail when dem si wi pan di streets!

Yuh know Seacole, Seacole Wi full a energy an wi proud Red vexans can walk near wi Caa wi eva ready fi di battle weh dem bring Look at Seacole, all girls hall an wi strong Yow trailor hall unnuh only have man!

Oh, Noooooo!

Pan di track, pan di track Seacole hot, pan di track Down a bowl wi na look back First place to wi ting an dat’s a fact Trailor place is a big disgrace And it shows upon dem face When dem a try win but a come last place Dem remind me a towers an 138

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Hey, Seacole a guh mash dem dung Wi can face anything weh dem try bring come Dis ya hall yah nuh fear no one, nobody Wi drop di peliduck an dance like polly Hoii, yuh nuh si seh a my hall dis?

Wi have everything lock an wi ting well cris Wi a champion everyday an night Caa wi dweet fi di love Wi nuh dweet fi di like

 

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FIRST YEAR SURVIVAL TIPS • Don’t try to survive university alone. Find friends to study with & to cook with.

• Study throughout the semester and not just the day/ night before your exam. Your sanity demands it.

• Avoid 8 am class if you can. Even if you do wake up on time, you will be very miserable about it.

• Go to events on campus. The networking will help you, plus free food.

• KFC on a Friday evening is never a good idea, unless you enjoy waiting forever for food.

• Go to your FYE sessions. You’ll be happy you did when it’s time to re-apply for a room on hall.

• Don’t buy meat in bulk. You will end up feeding the entire hall.

• Don’t try looking for a serious relationship in your first year.

Go to parties, meet new people and have fun!

• Don’t register for courses without looking at your faculty handbook first. It might cost you an extra semester at UWI. • Register early. You don’t want to be stuck with the class times no one else wants.

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• Save your notes from OURVLE as soon as they are available.

UWI’s systems can’t always handle the stress of exam seasons when everyone is trying to access information.

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