HANDBOOK FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIESof New Students Joining the UWI Community

www.sta.uwi.edu

INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................2

TRANSITIONING TO THE UWI ...............................................................3

Dealing with Homesickness ..............................................................................4

Accommodation Options ...................................................................................4

Managing Self .........................................................................................................5

MAKING THE ACADEMIC TRANSITION...............................................5

Coping with Academic Demands ....................................................................6

Getting Academic Guidance .............................................................................6

Managing the Workload .....................................................................................6

Time Management................................................................................................7

Preparing for Assignments and Examinations ............................................7

Know your Library .................................................................................................7

Computer Access and Information Technology Assistance ...................8

BALANCING LIFE AT UNIVERSITY ........................................................8

MY.UWI.EDU ONLINE VOCABULARY ................................................11

IMPORTANT FACES ...............................................................................13

EMERGENCY NUMBERS .......................................................................14

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INTRODUCTION Welcome to The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine Campus community. As supporters, The UWI appreciates your presence and involvement in our students’ university experience and invite you to be a part of their academic journey. We believe that transitioning to university life may present special challenges for new students so your support is critical at this time.

This handbook is designed to support parents, families and spouses of new students entering university for the first time. It will address some of your concerns about the significant changes new students undergo as they become involved in campus life.

It covers issues pertaining to transitioning, homesickness and culture shock, accommodation options, and presents a guide to useful resources and information at the UWI, St. Augustine Campus.

Please feel free to use this handbook as a resource as you explore the many support services available to students on campus. You may also find it useful throughout this academic year as a guide to important campus dates and events that will be beneficial to you and our new students.

We acknowledge that we may not have addressed all your concerns in this document. If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please feel free to contact:

DIVISION OF STUDENT SERVICES & DEVELOPMENTThe Lloyd Braithwaite Student Adminstration BuildingLewis AvenueThe University of the West IndiesSt Augustine, Trinidad WI1 (868) 662 2002 Exts: 82096/82097student.advisory@sta.uwi.edu

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TRANSITIONING TO THE UWI New students who enter the University community experience a process of transition and undergo a tremendous and intense amount of change. During their first week, new students are likely to feel alone, anxious and clueless largely because they may not know anyone and may be unfamiliar with the campus. Each student will cope differently with the changes associated with university life, but all new students will need support during their transition period.

• Some students may have lifelong dreams of pursuing certain career goals but upon entry into the University many find and develop new career interests. Do not be worried about these impulses to change their programme of study, to transfer to a different faculty or to adopt a different specialisation. Your main role as a support person is to ask questions about these changes and to support the student as he or she explores new and changing academic interests and potential career paths.

• As students progress through their university years they will develop new relationships. You may also notice a growing sense of independence, and the closeness you once shared may change. Supporters may be concerned about this change, but it is inevitable as students interact with new people as part of their university experience.

• The University’s environment is very dynamic and vibrant, and this will expose students to activities and events that are outside of their comfort zones. Their interests will grow and worldview may change. This may in turn influence the ways that students begin to interact with their families and, in some cases cause tension, especially if their changing views are conflicting. Supporters should remain open to these changes as they become part of the student’s holistic growth and development.

• Supporters should be observant, understand the student’s development and provide them with the necessary guidance. While students will probably experience the best years of their lives at The UWI, they will inevitably have some challenging times.

Additionally, here are some more specific issues that you and the new student may deal with as part of his or her transition to The UWI.

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Dealing with HomesicknessSome new students will miss the comforts of their home. If you believe that the student is showing signs of homesickness, here are some remedies to help him/her overcome it:

• Keep in touch. A familiar voice always works to cheer up and rejuvenate a homesick soul. Thanks to technology, it is much easier to stay in touch. If you are unable to call, try instant messaging, emailing or making video calls so that the student can interact with you. Remember to keep conversations light, positive and motivational so that you can help ease the stress of missing home.

• Keep students up-to-date with developments at home. This helps to keep them in touch with family and friends but also creates awareness of substantial changes that may be occurring while they are away from home.

• Encourage meaningful involvement in campus activities. Sometimes involvement in activities can help new students to get over homesickness. They eventually make new friends and become so occupied with classes, assignments and other things that there is no time to be homesick.

• Encourage students to go out and explore. Trinidad and Tobago offers exciting activities. A night out with friends, a trip to the mall, or an adventure trip around the island are some remedies for homesickness, so encourage students to venture out and have fun away from the hectic campus environment.

• Provide reassurance; be there for the student. Build a relationship where the student can come to you for advice and encouragement. University life can sometimes become stressful, so students may need some encouragement especially when assignments are due and examinations are around the corner.

Accommodation OptionsOn Campus AccommodationsThere are five halls of residence at the St. Augustine Campus. These include:- Milner Hall (Male/Female)- Trinity Hall (Female only)- Canada Hall (Male only)- The Joyce Gibson Inniss Hall (Medical Sciences students only)- Sir Arthur Lewis Hall (Male/Female)

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Living on one of the halls affords students an opportunity to live independently, in a safe environment among their peers. Students get to live and learn in a dynamic environment that exposes them to different cultures and nationalities as hall residents are from different parts of the world. Students interested in residing in hall for the first time should apply by mid-March prior to the new academic year.

Off-Campus AccommodationsStudents may also opt to live off-campus. There are many off-campus housing options available to students within walking distance of the University. As a means of helping students with decisions and procedures surrounding living off-campus, the Office of Student Advisory Services provides a listing of available off-campus accommodations ranging from TT$1200 to TT$6000 per month. The University strongly recommends that students seek advice about off-campus accommodation options. Students interested in accessing this listing can visit the Office of Student Advisory Services or the online database at www.sta.uwi.edu/oasis

For further information, contact the Division of Student Services & Development at 662-2002, extensions 83847/82100/84177.

Managing SelfUniversity life can become stressful for many students. If you notice signs of undue stress please feel free to remind the student about the Student Counselling and Psychological Service (CAPS) available on campus. CAPS, a function under the Student Life and Development Unit, offers a range of services, including crisis intervention, diagnostic assessment, and therapy for individuals, couples and families. These services are managed by skilled professionals who are ready and willing to assist students in need of help. All registered students are eligible for services offered by CAPS. These services are free and confidential.

The Health Services Unit (HSU) opens all year round from Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays). Opening hours are from 8:30am to 8pm. Please contact the Health Services Unit at 662-2002, extension 82491 for appointments.

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MAKING THEACADEMIC TRANSITIONNew students at The UWI are about to embark on an exciting journey of academic success, self discovery, friendships and much more. As students grow they continue to rely on their support persons for continued guidance and motivation. Given the nature of the transition to university life, it is important that supporters understand that each student adapts and learns in unique and different ways. Your support is important.

The first-year of university is a crucial time in the personal and academic development of our students that will also affect supporters. For some supporters, it will be an exciting experience to observe the student beginning university life. Be assured that the University will do its part to support the student and we urge you to partner with us as students begin to broaden their horizons and plan their futures.

New students will face many challenges in their first-year including making decisions about academic issues, making friends, maintaining a good Grade Point Average (GPA) and creating an effective co-curricular balance. The following pages are intended to help you and the new university student with this transition

• Getting Academic Guidance University students are expected to choose courses from a

wide range of possibilities. This can be a daunting task for the newcomer. Students should use the academic guides and regulations available online at the respective faculty websites. These documents are useful and outline in detail programme requirements, and how courses should be selected. Start at www.sta.uwi.edu

• Coping with Academic Demands The workload for courses in each programme varies and changes

during the semester. Assignments for one course may clash with class projects for another, and perhaps with co-curricular activities. In addition, students may be overwhelmed by new teaching styles, along with new subjects and courses.

• In order to stay on top of things, students are free to access academic support services across campus. These include informative sessions at the library, department resources, and a number of programmes and services. For example, the Student Life and Development Unit offers support to students at all levels of their academic careers, including tutoring, time management, workload management and academic workshops. They also ensure equal access (academic/ infrastructure) to all students that enter The UWI with a disability.

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• Students who require special aids or devices, special accommodation on campus for classes and exams, or special arrangements for parking should contact the Student Life and Development Unit at 662-2002 extensions 83866, 83921, 83923 and 84254.

• Time Management Students will be faced with decisions about how to spend their

time. Our campus has a vibrant social community with activities and events all year round. The key for new students is to manage their time wisely. Strike a balance between academic and non-academic activities but do not get distracted.

• Preparing for Assignments and Examinations Many programmes at the University require students to

complete coursework assignments and projects in addition to their usual end of semester examinations. Students will know by the beginning of the semester if they have to meet such requirements when course outlines are distributed. They should remember to pay attention to the instructions about how, when and where assignments should be submitted.

Here are some useful tips for assignments and examinations:• Develop a systematic approach to studies by creating

a study schedule.• Prepare for assignments in a timely manner.• Find a comfortable place to study. • Use free time wisely.

• Know Your Library New students are especially encouraged to become familiar

with the network of campus libraries as they are an invaluable resource that will make their UWI experience fruitful. At the St. Augustine Campus there are ten libraries spanning all disciplines. Each is equipped to cater to the needs of our students. They are generally open every day during the semester and from Monday to Saturday during breaks.

• Computer Access and Information Technology Assistance There are many computer labs available to students. New

students may not have their personal laptops when they begin classes so completing assignments can be tedious for them. Students have free access to computer labs around the campus, including those within the libraries. Some of these labs are also equipped with printing and copying facilities.

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Using their UWI ID, students can log on to the internet, check email and browse online using hotspots available on campus. Additional wireless zones are offered by some food outlets on campus. Campus IT Services can also help students meet computing needs by facilitating the purchase of Dell personal computers and laptops at reduced prices.

For more information contact CAMPUS I.T. SERVICES via their Service Desk at servicedesk@sta.uwi.edu, or 662-2002 extension 84357.

BALANCING LIFE @ THE UWI There are many programmes and services available to all students at The UWI, St. Augustine Campus. Below you will find dates for the First Year Experience (FYE) programme, which is managed by The Division of Student Services and Development. First Year Experience is The UWI’s official student orientation and transition programme, which targets all incoming undergraduate and postgraduate students. It includes workshops, tours, discussions and seminars designed to enable a smooth transition to campus life. New students should be encouraged to attend as many sessions as possible.

2016-2017

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DATE FYE EVENT

August 24 – 30 Meet & Greet: Airport greeting for all regional and international students

August 29 – September 15

Campus Tours: Faculty tours for all new first-year students

August 23 – 25. January 26

UWI Clicks: An introduction to the UWI website and student portal

August 27 – 28 Check-In: Weekend orientation activities for regional and international students

August 23 – 30 & September 08

Know Your Faculty: Orientation events for faculties

September 04 – 09 UWI Guild Fest: The Guild of Students Orientation activities

September 01UWI Life Support: UWI administration forum for parents and families

September 02 UWI Life Student & Information Village: UWI administration orientation

DATE FYE EVENT

TBA Welcome Home: Orientation events for students residing on Halls

September 05 – 24 Know Your Library: Library Orientation sessions

September 22 Orientation for Students with Disabilities: Introduction to the services at ASDLU

September 08MY SAC: Forum to expose commuters to services available to them

November 17 & 24 Health & Well Being: Health Services Unit workshops

September 08 & October 13 

The Postgraduate Experience:  Postgraduate Orientation workshops

September 15

Matriculation: Formal recognition and induction of new students as members of the University’s academic community

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DATE FYE EVENT

September 29 & October 13

Career Seminars: A step-by-step guide to career planning and development

November 03 & 10February 10 & 17

Study Skills: Workshops on developing practical study habits

January 17 Exchange Orientation: Orientation for exchange students

February 23Volunteer Open Day: Meet and register with volunteer organizations

October 06Co-curricular Seminars: Introduction to co-curricular activities and courses

Service Learning Symposium: Introduction to service learning and community service

MY.UWI.EDUONLINE VOCABULARYStudents will begin using new terms relating to various things on campus. Below are some popular terms that you should become familiar with.

ACADEMIC ADVISING: This refers to the process where the faculty dean or his nominee provides information on courses and assists, where necessary, in the selection of courses for which students must register. The purpose of academic advising is to help students, particularly new students, in planning, monitoring and successfully managing their chosen field of study, in relation to clear career objectives. Students are guided to accept responsibility for their learning, to be informed of the services provided for them, to access information and to be managers of their time.

ACCEPTANCE PACKAGE: Once students are accepted, they will be notified via email of their acceptance. This email will direct them to download all acceptance/offer/registration material online from our website at www.sta.uwi.edu/admissions/track

ADD/DROP: This is the period during which students may add or drop a course without penalty.

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CRN (COURSE REFERENCE NUMBER): This is the number assigned to designate a specific class and the specific time/format in which it will be offered.

CO-REQUISITE: A course which must be taken along with another specified course in order to ensure the attainment of complementary and/or interdependent competencies.

CORE/REQUIRED COURSE(S): Courses that students are required to complete in order to be awarded a major or a minor.

COURSE LOAD: The number of credit hours carried each semester.

CREDIT/CREDIT HOUR: A unit which represents the number of hours a student spends in a class each week over the course of the semester. E.g. A student enrolled in MGMT 2003 (3 credits) will spend approximately 3 hours per week in class, for approximately 13 weeks.

DEGREE AUDIT: A computerised summary of progress toward completion of degree requirements to be used with academic advising and registration.

DEPARTMENTS: Units that make up a faculty and have a specific specialisation under the broader area represented by the faculty. For example, Food Production is a department in the Faculty of Food & Agriculture; Management Studies is a department in the Faculty of Social Sciences; Modern Languages & Linguistics is a department in the Faculty of Humanities & Education.

ELECTIVE(S): Any course not required as part of a major. Courses which students may choose from are provided by each department/faculty, and are listed in respective faculty regulations and syllabuses booklets.

FACULTY: Departments are grouped into divisions called faculties. For example, the Faculty of Social Sciences consists of the Departments of Management Studies, Economics and Behavioural Sciences; the Faculty of Food & Agriculture consists of the Departments of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Food Production, and the Geography and Business Development Unit. Lecturers are known as faculty members.

FEE INVOICE: A printout of the courses for which students have registered that lists each specific course. The amount of tuition and fees due for all courses registered and the payment deadline date is also indicated on the printout.

FINANCIAL CLEARANCE: This refers to the approval given by bursary officials when the student has paid all the fees for which he/she is liable.

GATE FORM: An official document provided by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for all citizens that provides government funding for tertiary education expenses. The GATE programme is ONLY applicable to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

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HOLD: A hold is a block placed on a student’s record for failure to comply with obligations to the University. Examples of holds are: transcript holds, advising holds, immunisation holds, accounts receivable holds etc.

PRE-REQUISITE: A course that needs to be taken before a student can register for another course or a more advanced course.

my.uwi.edu: The UWI Student Web Portal serving students on all four campuses. The portal provides access to online registration as well as information on student accounts, final grades, degree audits and personal information.

TRANSCRIPT: An official record of coursework and grades housed at the Office of the Campus Registrar.

UWI STUDENT ID CARD: The University’s identification card. The UWI Student ID card has many functions aside from identification; it serves as a library card and an access card to other buildings on campus.

UWI STUDENT REGISTRATION NUMBER: A 9-digit or 8-digit identification number in the format YYMMDD. This number, which can be found on the offer letter, is used to gain access to the St. Augustine on-line system, and to identify students while at The UWI.

(Adapted from the “How To” Guide & University Regulations)

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DEAN, FACULTY OFMEDICAL SCIENCESProfessor Terence Seemungal

CAMPUS REGISTRARMr. Richard Saunders

CAMPUS PRINCIPALProfessor Brian Copeland

DEAN, FACULTY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYProfessor Indar Ramnarine

DEAN, FACULTY OF ENGINEERING Professor Stephen Gift

DEAN, FACULTY OF FOOD & AGRICULTUREDr. Wayne Ganpat

DEAN, FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCESProfessor Ann Marie Bissessar

DEPUTY PRINCIPALProfessor Rhoda Reddock

CAMPUS BURSARMs. Andrea Taylor-Hanna

DEAN, FACULTY OF HUMANITIES & EDUCATIONDr. Heather Cateau

DEAN, FACULTY OF LAWProfessor Rose-MarieBelle Antoine

CAMPUS LIBRARIANMr. Frank Soodeen

IMPORTANT FACES

SENIOR ASSISTANT REGISTRAR ADMISSIONSMs. Patricia Brown

SENIOR ASSISTANT REGISTRAR EXAMINATIONSMs. Jessie-Ann George

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OFINSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT AND INTERNATIONALISATIONMr. Sharan Singh

DIRECTORDIVISION OF STUDENT SERVICES & DEVELOPMENTDr. Deirdre Charles

MILNER HALLDr. Heather Cateau

THE JOYCE GIBSON INNISS HALLDr. Farid Youssef

TRINITY AND CANADA HALLSDr. Jacqueline Bridge

MANAGERSTUDENT ACCOMMODATIONON & OFF CAMPUSMr. Kevin Snaggs

MEDICAL OFFICERDr. Neil Singh

MANAGERSTUDENT LIFE & DEVELOPMENTMs. Jacqueline Huggins

SPORT & PHYSICAL EDUCATION CENTRE (SPEC)Major David Benjamin

ACCOUNTANTSTUDENTS ACCOUNTSMrs. Mary Balbirsingh

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UWI ESTATE POLICE SECURITY

Hotline 662-4123

Office line 662-4783

662-2002 Exts. 83510, 82121, 82120, 83497, 83512, 83335

ST. JOSEPH POLICE STATION 662-2522, 662-4038

EMERGENCY POLICE 999, 555

EMERGENCY AMBULANCE 990, 811

UWI STUDENT COUNSELLOR 662-2002 Ext. 82151

HALL SUPERVISORS

Joyce Gibson-Inniss Hall, (Mount Hope) 645-3471/5319

Trinity Hall 662-2002 Ext. 82608

Milner Hall 662-2002 Exts. 82479/82247

Sir Aurthur Lewis Hall 663-0075

Canada Hall 662-2002 Exts. 82469/ 82497

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

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THE DIVISION OF STUDENT SERVICES AND DEVELOPMENT

TEL: 1 868 662 2002 Exts. 82096, 82097, 82360, 84187, 82098, 82325

SPORT & PHYSICAL EDUCATION CENTRE (SPEC)

TEL: 1 868 662 2002 Exts.

Director 82307

Facility Supervisor 83555

Sports Coordinator 84381, 83810

STUDENT LIFE AND DEVELOPMENT

TEL: 1 868 662 2002 Exts. 83866, 83921, 83923, 84254

HEALTH SERVICES UNIT

TEL: 1 868 662 2002 Exts. 82149, 82153, 83584, 82149, 82152

OFFICE OF THE EVENING UNIVERSITY

TEL: 1 868 662 2002 Ext. 84331

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NOTES