THE Open Campus Student Guild of the University of the West Indies recently held its induction ceremony and Retreat in Kingston, Jamaica.
At the ceremony, Jamaican Minister of State, Damion Crawford, himself a former UWI Mona Student Guild President, addressed the Executive Members, among whom is one St Lucian. He spoke of his experience as a UWI Student Guild leader as being significant to his understanding and appreciation of the similarities of the people of the Caribbean region and urged the new members to take their new responsibilities very seriously as they could make the UWI student experience more meaningful during their tenure.
Crawford also charged them to think carefully about the future students of the University and their governance in the decisions that they will make while in office.
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal (Ag.) of the Open Campus, Dr. Luz Longsworth stated that it was an opportune time to be in the leadership of the Guild of Students as they will be able to impact the student body in a positive way. The Principal also encouraged the new Executive Members to work together in innovative ways to forge and strengthen new systems of student leadership in the distributed environment of the Caribbean region. She stated that they were now at a time and place where they could do much to advance and resolve student matters within the Open Campus in innovative ways using new communication technologies. The Principal reinforced her promise to the group that the Campus’ Administration was there to assist them in whatever way possible.
Assistant Registrar, Student Support and Services, Mr. Jonathan Archie and Mrs.Ruthlyn Matthias, Guild Office Manager, then officially robed the new executive members for their formal portraits. Campus Registrar, Mrs. Karen Ford-Warner, congratulated each member and wished him or her much success during his or her tenure.
The UWI Open Campus Guild of Students Executive Members for 2015/2016 are: Guild President, Ms. Aneka Lee (Antigua & Barbuda); Vice President, Administration, Sites & Services, Mrs. Marcia Dolor-Lashley (St. Lucia); Vice President, Special Projects & Fundraising (St. Vincent & the Grenadines), Mr. Nick Francis; Treasurer, Ms.Davinia Cartwright (Bahamas); Games Committee Chairperson, Ms. Natasha Jervier (Dominica); Public Relations Officer, Ms. Crystal Powell (Jamaica); Postgraduate Representative, Mr.Janiel Vanhorn (Jamaica); Secretary, Ms.Britnee Williams (Anguilla); Returning Officer, Ms. Samantha Stewart (Jamaica); Committee Liaison Officer, Ms. Samantha Estell (Belize).