Unanswered questions amid campus closure

Dozens of students, particularly CARICOM nationals, have been left in limbo hours after the University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill Campus closed its doors leaving numerous questions unanswered about the future of the academic year.

Tuesday’s decision to close the campus until April 8 has so far resulted in an exodus of regional and international students who have abandoned their local accommodations, to seek the safety and comfort of friends and relatives in their home countries.

In the absence of definitive information on final examinations, outstanding assignments or the campus’ ability to facilitate classes online in the coming weeks, others have remained, but are frustrated and confused about what steps they should take next.

Public Relations Officer of the Guild of Students Sydni Walker on Thursday praised the response of the administration indicating that students who wish to return overseas would simply have to submit a leave-of-absence form while virtual platforms are strengthened to facilitate online learning.

She said: “I respect how quickly [the] Administration has been responding to the concerns because we have a population of over six thousand students and hundreds of degree programmes.

“People need to understand that UWI does not operate on its own.

“It operates in accordance with the national health agencies and the Government of Barbados.”

But as the university’s administration was mulling its options, students were demanding answers, eager to flee the island ahead of tightening travel restrictions across the region.

Justin John, a Trinidadian law student, criticised the administration for “last-minute” decisions on the institution’s closure as the pandemic inched closer to Barbados over the last few days.

John said: “It’s kind of shocking that the university would have only just been holding meetings to discuss the closure of the campus.

“We haven’t heard what they are going to do in terms of hosting classes online and what we are going to do in terms of final examinations.

“That is one of the reasons I am still here. If we could have some clarity on whether I would be able to do my exams at the Open Campus back in Tobago, I would have already booked my flight and left.”

Expressing concern about the number of cruise ships still docking at the Bridgetown Port among other aspects of the Government’s measures, John said: “It’s like both the Barbadian Government or the Cave Hill campus have not been proactive enough.”

In the absence of definitive steps by the university, the Trinidadian declared that he would be out of the country by the end of the week as relatives wait anxiously for his final decision.

But the law student admitted the high cost of travel along with a lack of information about the need to return to Barbados in a few weeks has left him undecided.

Since then, the Guild has been sending out snippets of information from the administration to guide the decision-making of students.

Coursework assessments and final examinations will now be rescheduled and summer school will now be cancelled, according to a bulletin released by the campus. But re-sits and supplemental exams will reportedly be facilitated.

Later on Wednesday, the guild announced that students who have left the campus without officially requesting a leave of absence would incur no penalties and would be allowed to return for the next academic year. Formal correspondence has also confirmed the cancellation of UWIval, the campus carnival.

Amid the frustration of some students, others have opted to remain in the country until the uncertainty and danger associated with COVID-19 subsides.

“Some students have to go in transit and ports like Trinidad are already closed and they could just end up being stuck or quarantined somewhere. So I just believe that we have accommodations here and although it might be a little more costly, it’s safer to stay here than to travel,” said a third-year student.

“If I choose to travel, I may be putting myself in a worse position. Right here in Barbados I can just stay away from the crowds, take care of myself at home and just practice proper hygiene and that would be alright until the school makes a final decision,” he added.

Barbados TODAY had sought comment from Cave Hill’s public relations specialist, Chelston Lovell.
kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb