The UWI Mona Campus' Annual Departmental Reports 2022_2023

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY, PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIAL WORK

Dr. Herbert S. Gayle, PhD (London), MSc, BA (UWI Mona) – Head of Department

OVERVIEW The Department graduated a total of 256 students for the academic year 2021/2022. There were 48 post-graduates, 206 undergraduates and 2 diploma students. All of these students had spent a significant proportion of their contact time in an ‘emergency remote’ context. The 2022–2023 academic year was one of losses and gains, disappointments and victories; but most obviously of recoveries from the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as adapting to the attempted return to face-to-face instruction. Incidentally, the University’s response to the pandemic created a new instruction culture, which afforded many students a chance to work and study. The emergency remote teaching process that characterized the pan- demic created a demand, especially by mature students, for courses to be offered both face-to-face and online. This made the academic year one of challenge, as the resources needed to meet such a demand were lacking. In August 2022, the new HOD found the Main Office water soaked from a leak- ing roof. There were also three areas showing mould marks. He was greeted with a long-suffering staff using cloth to mop up water from the floor; and was shown immediately that his office had no air condition. When he enquired, he was informed that by opening the door to the only office section with an operating air condition, he would be able to survive. On his tour he further discovered that the reception section had a window air condition unit that actually made ice rather than blow cool air consistently. He made a detailed report to the Dean’s Office; and the Dean, in response, immediately begun the process for the section of the main building to be re-roofed. Nonetheless, due to the University’s snail-paced system of addressing fast-deteriorating crises, the situation worsened dramatically throughout the year. About nine months after first reporting the crisis, workmen went onto the roof and attempted to stop the leak temporarily. The leak only abated infinitesimally – signalling that a complete job is needed. The volatile working conditions have been emotionally crushing. However, the staff have been courageous through the ordeal.

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