THE EDITOR, Sir:THIS MORNING I woke up and decided that in solidarity with my Jamaican colleagues at the Mona campus I would wear blue as a sign of protest against the administration of the University to students who did not pay their tuition. I mulled over the issue of the University's decision and I must say that it is well within its rights to 'deregister' students. I chide the institution for waiting so long to do it.
What is happening at the Mona campus is symptomatic of a larger social malaise that has beset our nation. For too long we have been content to depend on the government and we are afraid to work for what we want. I completed a first degree in English at the Mona campus and a Masters degree at Clark University in the US but my ability to do so was facilitated by the government of Jamaica through its subsidy to education, two scholarships that I received in both instances and guess what else? Hard work.
How many students who decided to enter university considered the expense before enrolling? They should stop listening to their pastors who try to tell them that they can go in faith. There needs to be proper planning. As a student I have worked in order to finance my expenses, not just during the summers, but during the school year. I know what my goals are and I am willing to work for it.
In 1993 when I graduated from sixth form, I worked for one year before entering university. The funds accrued assisted me significantly during my time at school. I have seen where a friend was denied a student's loan. Having received loans for four years, including the preliminary year for which they usually do not give a loan, he had still not completed his degree and has a year and a half to go. Individuals are wasting time and taxpayers' money. Further to that is the fact that every exam period there is a plethora of pleas and promises from students begging the university to show mercy and each successive year simply increases the numbers of those in need.
I know what the challenges are and I do care. I know, too, that there are some who can't genuinely afford it, may not qualify for a loan, scholarship or a bursary and may in fact be in need of help, but not paying for your tuition is not an option.. maybe, now isn't the time to be at university. Do not come and then demand that we allow you stay even though you have not paid.
Imagine if the university were unable to provide texts in the library, air-conditioning, Internet? Imagine if the bathrooms were not cleaned and they did not provide toilet paper because they could not afford it? Would you protest then? How do you propose that the university pay its bills? This has to stop and it has to stop now. If we want a first class university we have to be prepared to pay and the truth is, UWI is not that expensive. In any event, that is a moot point. People need to make right choices.
I am etc.,
HAROLD BRUCE MALCOLM
bruce-26@hotmail.com
