The primitive approach to communication must cease

Jun 07, 2008 Letters

DEAR EDITOR

The University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS) is the body which attends to any student welfare and ensures that the UG Administration provides a safe studying/working environment for its students. However, we the Executive of UGSS headed by Mr. Jason Benjamin found it alarming and inaccurate when the Deputy Registrar announced via the radio on June 6, 2008, that the commencement of asbestos removal will be by mid June, 2008.

I (Jason Benjamin), President, UGSS 2007/8, am a member of the University of Guyana (UG) Task Force for the Removal of Asbestos. Hence, the information divulged by the Administration was not conveyed to this body.

Of paramount importance, is that the preparation for this removal is at a snail’s space. This results from some Senior Office Bearers who lack the philanthropic behaviour and are caught up with social loafing. For example, the Library Staff and Head were diligently seeking boxes from all possible sources which resulted futile while the office responsible for such task sits in waiting.

His Excellency, President Bharrat Jagdeo, made some alternative changes to the plan. This was conveyed to me (Mr. Benjamin) by the Deputy Vice Chancellor. Thanks again, but the back-door policy or primitive approach to communication must cease.

I say this because the UG Administration failed to inform the task force of the new decisions. Our premiere educational institution must not be treated as one that appears to be barbaric.
What about summer courses venue? What about the venue for registration 2008/9? What about clearing of the facilities for the removal?

Will the Administration meet with staff and the UGSS Executive Body to address their concerns and filter this pertinent information?

The above mentioned and many more have not been put in place. Therefore, I write to inform those who are responsible for this timely removal that the abovementioned items must be taken into consideration. Secondly, as the UGSS Executives continue to maintain contact and interest among students both local and overseas, the UG Administration should desist from its caddish approach and report accurately to those responsible and the public.
Jason Benjamin,
President, UGSS, 2007/8.