THE EDITOR, Madam:
THE CONSTANTLY negative verbal battering of the University of the West Indies by a particular talk-show host has become so common place that the society now seems to accept it. Consequently, he continues his cynical and abusive remarks about the university. Perhaps, everyone there is so busy studying, researching, preparing for exams, or marking papers that nobody has the time to address the issue so I'll sacrifice a few minutes to "help them out".
I will try to view objectively why this talk-show host thinks that the UWI is a "ghetto university". Firstly, some of the students, especially the females, do not dress any better than the half-naked "ghetto girls", and their speech and deportment are no better, in many cases.
I must say however that there are still some students who maintain some sobriety in the way they dress. Not that they look "weird" just "decent!"
Up to 16 years ago students had to attire themselves "properly" for lectures as the university required that. In fact, you could not leave your hall of residence to the dining hall "improperly dressed'' much less to attend lectures like that. Now, some students look like they are dressed for bed, and others like they are ready for carnival.
Secondly, as I understand it, some people creep in through the "backdoor" if they know someone who can "let them through." I am not accusing the institution of that, but if it is not so, then someone needs to clear the air of that smog as most rumours in Jamaica have an element of truth, even if they are not entirely true.
Thirdly, the level of crime and violence has forced the university to look more like a prison, than an institution of "higher learning", as burglar bars abound. This also applies to the hospital which is "running the KPH hot" for the unfortunate award of Most Outstanding Prison Look.
Other factors that warrant such negative views cannot be addressed here. Suffice it to say that each "intellectual don" guards his "territory" imperialistically.
However, the public needs to be reminded that the university still has high standards academically, even though if we judged from the general level of English, dress code, and deportment of some students it would be hard to believe. Our university students should at least be able to express themselves fluently in English (even if Jamaican Creole is our "mother tongue.") It is embarrassing to hear some of the graduation speeches! It's not nice to hear a doctor telling me that my eyes "is" bad. And he should know a woman's vulva different from her Volvo. Nonetheless, there are some brilliant students and distinguished lecturers whose commitment and professionalism are unquestionable.
I was always concerned about the negative impact of this talk-show host about the "Ghetto University" or "The Intellectual Ghetto" but I never realised how injurious his re-naming was until when I was discussing with my 14-year-old son plans for further studies. On recommending that he goes to UWI (since he wants to do a degree), he exclaimed, "No! I am not going to any "Ghetto University!" As I tried to convince him that it was a very good university, better than many abroad, he said, "That was back then!" After all, I wouldn't consider 1984 when I proudly graduated from there, "primitive times."
The university needs to salvage what it can of its once glorious image, not just by calling the particular programme director but by doing whatever possible to restore a level of decency and pride. Please save the University!
I am etc.
MAVERLIN SEWELL-OLIVER
E-mail: olivers@anngel.com.jm
