NEWSLETTER DATE: JUNE 2014
VOLUME NO. 1
Lead Story Headline: UTECH FINAL FETE GOES OFF WITH A BANG!!!!
UTech Final Fete 2014, was one of the greatest Fetes ever seen in the history of the Students’ Union Council. Cont’d on page 3...
Inside this Issue: Page 2. Message from the President Page 3 Message form the V.P Public Relations Page 3. Message from the executives Page 4. Final Fete
UTech West Final Fete Bomb Threat
In the West it was an exciting affair. It could be said that the West was won with the hosting of this extraordinary event. … Story cont’d on page 3...
Teach the Youth 2014 The UTech, Jamaica Students’ Union Community Service initiative commenced in 1999 through a programme called ‘Teach the Youth’, where learning centres were established among less fortunate children in the inner-city communities of August Town, Kintyre, Tavern, Sandy Park and Highlight View. Story cont’d on page 5…..
Page 4. Handing Over Ceremony Page 5. Teach the Youth 2014
UTech Students’ Union Handing 0ver Ceremony 2014
Page 2
Hello UTech Students, I trust that the academic year 2013/14 was a successful one for all. I am grateful to the students for selecting me as your President to serve you. I am aware that the task at hand is not easy, however I am confident that with your help and the help of the Council we will achieve great things! I am excited, confident, passionate and ready to work. I look forward to interacting with you all on a regular basis, getting your feedback and suggestions and implementing them, once they can be implemented. Students, it is important you know that the Council needs your support and we also value your feedback, as it is what will be used to make our lives here at the University better. Since taking office on April 11, 2014 my team and I have successfully: Lobbied for students to receive their examination cards to sit their exams Manage the Students’ Union Business office, such that students can receive various services. Provided students with adequate knowledge of examinations rules and regulations. Planned and Executed Final Fete It has been noted that there are a lot of structures missing from the Students’ Union operations and as such, the Council lead by the Executive, will ensure that proper systems are in place to make the experience a better one for students. Our work continues and we would like the full support of the student populace. This 2014/15 Council is one that is unified, as we recognize that unity is strength. As such, we ask that the Union be unified with us to ensure that our strength increases. Our mandate is for the sustainable development of our students, some may ask, “what is sustainable development?” it is simply, enhancement for betterment. What it also means it that the Council’s focus is on edifying the student populace about scholarships and bursaries, job opportunities, entrepreneurial opportunities etc. We want you to be ready for the world of work and as such our theme for the Academic Year is “Sustainable Student Development through Unity and Quality Representation.” This year the major focus of the Council will be on the following areas: Academic Affairs Student Services Public Relations Personal Development I look forward to a unified, successful and amazing academic year!!!
President– Delta Wright
1st VP Academic Affairs -Darrian McGhann
VP Finance - Phillip Hugg
VP Student Services– Rashawn Martin
VP Public Relations– Kinson Case
Executive Secretary – Joelle Blake
UTech Students, it is with great joy and appreciation that I greet you as your new Vice President -Public Relations. Firstly, I must thank you all for giving me the opportunity to serve in this capacity. Let me inform you, that the work has already started, this newsletter is the first of many visible initiatives to come. In the upcoming academic year 2014/15 it is my intention to continue to ‘keep you in the know’, this will be done through the organization of monthly forums/mass meetings. Information is important, even more so to the students of a tertiary institution. Throughout my tenure it will be my mandate to bring information to your fingertips.
Things to look for in the next academic year: Official Launch of the Union’s Newsletter
Official Launch of KYR2 Launch of ‘A Moment of Motivation’ A more visible Students’ Union Council
It is with great pleasure that we as the Executives of the Council bring the student body greetings. Since our appointment via the democratic electoral process, we have not officially brought greetings to you.
We are very appreciative for all the students who voted in our favour and those who did not. We are also happy that students participated in the process to have a say in who leads and represents them at the highest level within the University. We encourage all students to play apart in the next election process and allow your voices to be heard. It is quite important as it is your right and the right that our forefathers fought so hard for honour them by exercising your right to vote. As the new Executive we had some issues in forming the full complement of the Council, however we stuck together and we overcame those challenges and today we have a full, working and efficient Council. It was brought to the attention of the Executives that students had issues with how the appointed members of the Council were selected. We would like to assure the student populace that the appointments were made according to our overarching document, the constitution and via a democratic process with the Council for an extraordinary situation. The Executive has taken a decision to not respond to anonymous claims or complaints, whether or not they are inclusive of threats. The best way for us to serve and to represent as our motto states is to know who we are representing and serving. Therefore we will only respond to valid claims or complaints, if the individual or group identifies who they are. We welcome your questions and suggestions and we are available to all students of the University of Technology, Jamaica. Please remember to visit and like our Facebook page and also follow us on Twitter. Your feedback is valuable to us. We wish you well in all your endeavours and we are ready to serve and represent. To show you how dear our students are to us our theme for this year is: “Sustainable Student Development through Unity and Quality Representation.” Good Luck in the 2014/15 Academic Year!!!
VOLUME NO. 1
Page 4
Pictures from the event—UTech’s Final Fete (Papine & West) UTech Final Fete (Papine Campus) 2014
With its
new revived and energetic look, this years Final Fete, ‘Shell down di place’!!!!! This was held at the School of Engineering (SOE) Parking Lot on May 2, 2014 . The patrons/students can attest to the wide range of enjoyment and options they had to choose from. Such as, the bars, picture booth, detox bar, several Disk jockeys (DJ’s) and numerous photographers to ‘capture the moment’. Final Fete 2014, fully supported by the Council and the wider UTech population, put in place various sponsors that aided to the success of the event, such as our main sponsors Wray & Nephew, Pepsi, Ting etc. They made the event one to be remembered. It was a great and vibrant atmosphere, that enhanced our quality service, representation and sales. Final Fete 2014, has opened windows for prospective ventures and upcoming events under the umbrella of the elected Students’ Union Council 2014/15.
UTech West Final Fete– Bomb Threat Bomb Threat, the Final Fete, organized by the Western Campus Sub-Council, was indeed a massive explosion! Thanks to Wray and Nephew and our many other sponsors, it kicked off at ChinJam Pool Centre in Montego Bay, on May 9th, 2014 with "shellings" from the well-known, DJ Warrior and the vibe continued throughout the night with DJ Scott and DJ Igosh . The pool party event which ended the academic year, 2013-2014 for the University of Technology, Western Campus, attracted over 100 patrons. The event allowed for individuals to travel through music, to countries worldwide and explore genres such as dancehall, hip hop and the greatly loved, soca. Let's not forget the spirit of the event! Thanks to our main sponsor, Wray and Nephew, and Appleton patrons at no point in time went thirsty. The vibe was present, the patrons were present and it was indeed a "spirit-filled" event! BUDUDUPZ! BOMB THREAT! THE FINAL FETE! Plans are now being made for the Western Sub-Council's Freshers' Fete, Barium "The 5th Element", Ah Baay Rum!
Handing Over Ceremony
This event
was organized under the patronage of the UTech Students’ Union Council 2013/14 and held on April 11th of this year. It was scheduled to be not only the handing over ceremony for the Students’ Union Council but also, the opening of the Students’ Activity Center. Former President of the University Prof. the Hon. Errol Morrison OJ, brought greetings, he stated that the Council 2013/14 did a wonderful job and he is looking forward to better things from the incoming council. Mr. Greville Smith former Students’ Union Council President applauded the efforts of his council during their tenure. He stated hard work and dedication from each member of council was a major factor in what they have accomplished throughout 2013/14. He made special mention of their championed achievement; the securing of a one year contract with Rum giants Wray and Nephew. Students’ Activity Center officially opened…
The UTech Students’ Union’s Student Activity Center (SAC) was officially opened on this day with much fanfare. The newly bricked surface and fully branded perimeter personified a feeling of satisfaction among persons present. Following the opening it was signaled by the incoming Students’ Union Council President, Delta Wright signaled that improvements will be made within the SAC.
Over a three week period, the UTech Students' Union conducts the programme and hosts approximately one thousand students (1000) (Growth - from an estimate of six hundred (600) in 2004), between the age of one (1) and eighteen (18). Throughout the duration of the programme, student volunteers and volunteers from various administrative & academic departments from
the University of Technology, Jamaica and the National Youth Service; coach several core disciplines, through interactive sessions impart social graces and best living practices with the students and members of the communities. Lunches are also prepared and served to participants on a daily basis. Programme will run from: July 7– July 25
Thought for the Week!!!! “Don’t worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try.” – Jack Canfield
Written by: Kinson Daniel Case— VP Public Relations Edited by: Adriana Robinson— Acting (Editor in Chief) For more info: www.utechstudentsunion.com