UGSS requests refund for affected graduates

The University of Guyana’s Student Society (UGSS) has submitted a letter to the University’s Administration requesting an apology and a partial refund of graduation fees to students who attended the 51^st Convocation Ceremony at the Sophia Exhibition Centre on Saturday, November 11, 2017.

“The society received numerous complaints from its members via social media and directly to its officers and faculty representatives. In general, the complaints were around preparations in the days leading up to the ceremony and as well as the actual conduct of the ceremony which left much to be desired by the more than three thousand expected attendees,” the Student body noted in the letter.

News Room reported that the second part of the Convocation ceremony was plagued with inconveniences, as relatives and friends of graduates were forced to sit on the lawns and other areas on the Exhibition Complex and later ran to seek shelter as it started to rain. Additionally, the main auditorium used for the ceremony was not properly ventilated causing persons to exit the building, some leaving before the ceremony concluded.

Additionally, some persons were seen trying to get a glimpse of their loved ones going onstage through the vents at the back of the auditorium.  The students bemoaned the fact of having paid $10,000 each and still had to put up with what they described as a “disgraceful” situation without an apology from those in charge.

The UGSS said it is estimated that at least $16M was available from graduation fees for coordination, facilities and other peripherals connected to the convocation.

The Student Society asked for “an immediate apology to the affected students and their families by means of the electronic board, notice boards on campuses, schools and centres, and in public areas, a partial rebate to all graduating students in respect of their payment of graduation fees.”

Moving forward, the body “strongly” suggested the establishment of permanent Convocation Committee as a sub-committee to the Academic Board to consist of representatives from academic and support staff, student society, guild of graduates and each faculty’s graduating class,” to help prevent future recurrences.

News Room contacted UG’s Administration for a comment, however, we were told that the persons who are authorized to comment are in a meeting.