UWI reopens after Hurricane Melissa, UTech remains closed

 

Days after Hurricane Melissa disrupted lives and livelihoods, the nation's universities and colleges have remained closed, except two.

 

The decision has sparked debate over access and academic priorities in the aftermath of the hurricane. 

 

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa's destruction, classrooms flooded, downed power lines and campuses covered in debris, education has come to a standstill.

 

The University of the West Indies, Mona campus, Jamaica's premier tertiary institution, is one of two to resume classes today, while a large section of the island is still without electricity or stable internet, prompting mixed reactions from students. 

 

The University College of the Caribbean has also resumed classes. 

 

Northern Caribbean University will resume classes on Tuesday.

 

The UWI's administration, however, insists its decision was made after careful assessment. 

 

It's why Campus Registrar Dr. Donovan Stanberry says the lights of learning will stay on. 

 

"We are very aware and we do understand that there are some of our students - we have just under 2,000 students with addresses in western Jamaica, so we know them - and we are aware that at this time they might be going through emotional trauma based on the hurricane losses and so on. We have mobilised tangible support. Yesterday, the entire management team of the University, was at the Western Jamaica Campus, not only to look at damages, but principally, we took down a whole truck of food stuff and so on, to support our staff and students."

 

Students have called for a one-week suspension of classes and other academic activities, followed by a mixed modality learning approach.

 

Dr. Stanberry maintained that operations will continue while supporting affected students, a position that has underscored the challenge in bridging academic continuity and compassion in crisis. 

 

He said those affected will have options to continue their tertiary education journey. 

 

"We are prepared as a university to give a 50% discount and outstanding balance on fees for semester one, and the other 50% of course they will have...up to next year May to pay that. We have a dedicated website that deals with all facets of our response to the hurricane that students can plug into by Wednesday. If students want, they can defer for a year, for a semester, they can defer their exams to next semester. All the classes that will now ensue as of today will be recorded and put on OurVLE, so that those students who are affected can go when they are able to consume that material," he advised.

 

Meanwhile, the University of Technology's doors will remain shuttered until further notice as the institution sustained extensive damage from Melissa.

 

UTech President Dr. Kevin Brown said staff members have also been heavily impacted. 

 

"For now, the campus remains closed, classes have been suspended and there are a number of factors that are taking into consideration before we contemplate reopening. Because one, we need to repair the campus where we've had damage, we need the return of electric power, water and internet," he said.

 

During the hurricane the university sheltered about 200 students. 

 

UWI and UTech have since postponed graduation ceremonies.