3rd Edition 2009 - University of Namibia

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Campus News Edition 3 14 BLA BLA BLA Exero 01, 5555 Office of the Dean of Students takes priority *Anna Salkeus The office of the Dean of Students took the initiative to address student issues and concerns at an assembly held in the gym hall for first year and day students. Only having been in their first semester, the first year students raised issues ranging from academic issues to accommodation issues. ACADEMICS Concerns were raised about the cancellation of Saturday and Sunday classes, which are always done at the last minute. Students felt that if a lecturer was to cancel a class, it should be done in advance. They said that lecturers not only did not show up for the lectures, but students lost out on transportation money as they have to cough up more than they had budgeted for the month. Another concern raised was that of the loss of continuous assessment marks and test papers. This was especially common in the department of humanities. Students complained that their test papers for the core module ‘Social Issues’ had been thrown out in the open had either been blown away by the wind or had been stolen. SECURITY Reports from the bag counter were thrown in all directions regarding bags that went missing and only reappeared much later in the afternoons. This is especially an inconvenience to the students , as they spend their day looking for their bags and missing out on lectures. Another issue was that of the taxi drivers grabbing students at the gate near the taxi rank. “Security guards do nothing, except stare at the drivers as they grab us,” said one student. GENERAL MAINTAINANCE AND HEALTH “The internet service in the library has too many restrictions. One can’t even do proper research on certain topics, because pages on that topic either have an error or are apparently unavailable”. An issue raised by a first year student, who says she constantly has to do research and one of her sources she says is the library. The technology systems in lecture halls did not go unmentioned. The first years felt that the systems were ‘barely functional’ and that instead of depending on only those to get through a lecture, lecturers should be trained to teach or work without them. They waste a lot of time on these equipment. When it comes to health facilities, some of the most disturbing feats is that there is either no nurse on duty or that the clinic closes too early. Students felt that at least one nurse should be available when it came to lunch time. Amongst the above mentioned issues, students also raised concerns regarding tutors that did not deliver on time or were unavailable when students needed help. The queues at the copy centre got students frustrated and tired. They said that the services provided were bad and that the queues were too long. They requested that another copy centre be opened to accommodate students. ODS RESPONDED BY SAYING; The Office of the Dean of Students responded to the concerns positively and assured students that they would look into the matter of security on campus and advised international students to submit their physical addresses and details of their landlords to the ODS. They also advised the students not to sign any agreements without consulting the ODS. ODS also promised to have a word with lecturers from all faculties to try and improve (change) their methods of test papers distribution. Is Campus really safe? *Mathilda Shiweda Some UNAM students are notoriously known for their booze guzzling tendencies and their detrimental puffing habits, and proudly go around displaying their un-admirable “skills”. Unam has seen an influx of students in the 2009 academic year, and along with these students came a whole set of new challenges for the university management and security. During the 1st semester , Campus News ran stories on UNAM security and gave them praise for a job well done, as well as applauded them for maintaining the order and professionalism, but one now has to wonder whether we spoke too soon. Crime on campus has been on the increase with students reporting stolen property ranging from cell phones to laptops. If one sits at the UNAM gate, you will see how the majority of vehicles arrive and leave campus un-searched. This leaves a gap for thieves and chance takers to easily make off with the hard earned belongings of students and University equipment as has previously been seen. Another major problem that also arises because of poor security is the influx of drugs and alcohol onto our Campus. It is a well known “secret” that the stadium has for long been the haven for eager smokers. These guys smoke substances ranging from ‘weed’ (marijuana) to other harder substances that are illegal at both institutional and national level. The ‘dope boys’, as we have dubbed them, freely sit around and engage in their pass time activity without fear of being caught or punished. It would not be surprising at all if a booming drug trade were to erupt on campus because people have for so long turned a blind eye to the very things that threaten to destroy the students and the entire respectable name of the University of Namibia. The security company on campus has on various occasions been accused of manhandling students and becoming vulgar towards innocent and dedicated students. It’s about time that they re-direct their energy to more pressing matters and those include safeguarding the lives and property of the Unam community. Four food poisoning cases reported on campus *Matilda Shiweda Recently, it has come to the attention of Campus News that several students at the University had fallen victim to not only bad service, but also off-food. Several cases of food poisoning [Up to four (4) students] have been reported to have suffered from food poisoning. Two being so serious, with students having to be admitted to the Windhoek Central hospital. Upon being interviewed, one of the students who is doing a month long law course at UNAM, expressed their outrage at the unhygienic conditions that the students are being subjected to. The office of the SRC has received several complaints on various occasions from aggrieved students about the unhygienic conditions at several food outlets. One case that stands out is that of a young lady who took a picture of a cockroach that was found in food bought at the - Diana Amunyela It has been exactly ten years since the launch and opening of the University’s radio station, Unam radio. That is a great achievement and would suggest that our radio station would be well known and that it surely is achieving its aims to inform, educate and entertain. The station is a community radio station yet it can be compared to the bigger and more commercial radio stations. Many people have fond memories of what Unam Radio used to be a few years ago and how it always managed to keep its listeners logged on with their ability to play good music, and their ability to create charismatic and professional presenters. Lately though, an even big- most popular food outlet, which is also known for its crowd of pool players.A health inspector had been called in to inspect the outlet during the first semester, but was unceremoniously sent back. Reasons cited were that, students have no mandate to call in a health inspector. The four recent cases that were all reported within a space of a week came from students that all allegedly bought hotdogs at an outlet on the far side of the campus near the netball courts. The hygiene problem does not only end with food outlets, but also spreads out into the sanitary facilities. The toilets on campus are well known for being filthy and highly detrimental to the health of the students that use them. Every institution has the responsibility of protecting their students and looking out for their wellbeing, ensuring that they are not subjected to any ger number of people are quick to air their disappointment with the radio station and the dramatic (negative) changes that have taken place there. Unam Radio is known for having been the starting and rising point of so many of the top presenters in the country. The likes of Cutie-PRO/Presenter at National Radio, Chi-Chi, Mufaro, Tafanji, CJ, Ueja, Angel, Lloyd, Destiny, Mimi and Q-base the magician are some of the well known and talented presenters that have gone on to make a name for themselves because of Unam Radio. The past two years have been particularly rocky for the radio station, and a lot of questions are being raised about what went wrong and what is being done to rectify the problem. Unam radio is a long way harmful conditions, especially not if they are unavoidable. A second health inspector was called in and inspected all the food outlets with the exception of the dining hall who’s administrators allegedly refused to have their facilities inspected. The inspector was very disappointed by the state of the university as whole and pointed out that it is very filthy. The Grub was ranked number one on the list of ‘uncondusive’ areas with Independence coming in second. Recommendations have been made to the SRC and food samples have been taken in for testing. We will all be awaiting the results. If the health inspector had not been sent back during the first semester, we might not have had more cases reported this semester. One should not always wait for disaster to strike before taking action. The students make up this University and pay exorbitant fees to make sure that they receive the best possible service, and it’s up to UNAM staff and management to make sure that they Campus Radio- The voice of the future? from where it could have and should have been in terms of growth and expansion, and it leaves a lot to be desired. Some of the former employees attribute their departure from the radio station to factors such as a low income and stagnation. The station currently has about nine presenters and complaints have been made that at most times playlists are left on the system, presenters are inconsistent with their shifts and that some of the new presenters are unfriendly and rude, sentiments that are also echoed by the media students that who do practicals there. What remains to be seen is whether the new presenters will be able to resurrect the station from its current state or whether new management is in order at the radio station.
Campus Exero 01, News 5555 BLA Edition BLA BLA 3 15 THE UNIVERSITY OF NAMIBIA The Office of the Founding President, in conjunction with the UNAM SRC 2009 PRESENTS A GALA DINNER for the Student Assistance Fund Theme: Access to education for the disadvantaged students Keynote Speaker: Dr. Sam Nujoma Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2009 Venue: Safari Court Hotel Time: 17H00 Price N$ 500 p/p or N$ 5 000 per table of 10 For Donations and Pledges: Bank Name: Nedbank Namibia Bank Location: 461609 Bulow St. Routing #: NEDSNANX Account #: 11010000795 For more details: Matthew Vudzijena: Tel: 206 3412; Email:srcsg@unam.na Undamuje Haimbodi: Tel: 206 3416; Fax: 206 3278 Email: srccommunitydevelopment@unam.na
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3rd Edition 2009 - University of Namibia

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