Key-note ADDRESS

BY

DR MRS L. M. DUROSINMI

ACTING DEAN, DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY,OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY,ILE-IFEILE-IFE

AT THE ONE DAY RETREAT FOR

MEMBERS AND STAFF OF DIVISION OF STUDENT

AFFAIRS

26TH FEBRUARY, 2013

PREAMBLE

I warmly welcome you all to this retreatand sincerely thank you all for finding time to attend.

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS:

The

♥

of the institution.  

Manages thousands of vibrant young adults.

OBJECTIVES AND GOALS OF THE DIVISION:  I.To foster students’ growth, aid, direct, and inform students about services and programmes that will expand students’ educational experiences.

II. To ensure a proper atmosphere and good-inter-personal relations that are essential for the students overall welfare, social and academic development in the University.

III. To maintain the quality of the living environment of students in the University community.

IV. To enhance the realization of students’ potentials as enlightened and responsible citizens.  

SERVICES AT THE DIVISION

Guidance and Counseling services.

Accommodation In The Halls of Residence.

Serves as a link for Scholarship /Bursaries and other Financial Assistance.

Code of conduct for students.

SERVICES AT THE DIVISION

•Recommendation/Identification Letters To Embassies In Nigeria.

•Mobilization For National Youth Service Corps, (Requirements for mobilization are:(Senate Approved Result, Bio-data of the Students, JAMB registration number).

•Community service: Intervention in Student –Community problems

PROGRAMMES AT THE DIVISION

•Orientation programmes for fresh students.

•Leadership/mentoring programmes for student leaders and students.

•Sponsorship to leadership programmes at local, national & international levels.

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING UNIT:

A functioning Counseling unit that is committed to helping students grow in both personal and academic experiences.

Guides towards provide proper guidance and mentorship to students.

For easy access and record purposes, the Faculties and the halls of residence are shared among the six Guidance Counselors.

HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES•Takes charge of the general administration, guidance •and discipline of the Hall. •Sets broad policies for administration of the Hall with •approval from the DSA•Monitors and enforces discipline in the hall.

HALL COMMITTEES ---For effective administration of the Halls, BUDGET \FINANCE COMMITTEE WELFARE COMMITTEE HALL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE BED SPACE ALLOCATION COMMITTEE. DISPLINARY

PORTERS LODGE•Access in and out of the hall is expected to be enforced •and monitored at the porter’s lodge. •Thus Visitors/ Non- Hall Residents must sign in and •out of the hall of residence. •Safety of keys to rooms at the Porters’ Lodge.

HALL STAFF•Hall staff are to assist in enforcing University regulations. He/She must ensure strict adherence to hall rules and regulations. •Quick response to emergencies.

STUDENTSACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTSEffective and productive engagement of students through:Sporting activities:•Recreational facilities on campus and in halls of residence, DSTV, etc•Inter Hall, Inter Faculties Competitions•Participation in Internal & External Competitions.Students’ Associations, ( Guidelines/regulations for registration)

STUDENTS-UNIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP AND CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION  

Students Handbook.

Students representatives as members of some University Committees,

(training ground for leadership and governance).

Meetings with student leaders, faculty/departmental, humanitarian/religious and social clubs on campus as a central platform of consultation between the University Administration and the generality of students.

Faculty/students colloquium

Students-Staff relationship also enhanced through sports competition and religious activities.

Releases by the Registrar and Dean of Student Affairs.

Suggestion boxes to facilitate easy access to opinions from Students.

HALLS OF RESIDENCE FOR STUDENTS

The Halls of Residence are Akintola, Alumni, Angola, Awolowo, Clinical Hostels, Education Tax force , Fajuyi, Moremi, Mozambique, Muritala Muhammad Hall

WELFARE SERVICES: •Conducive living environment. •Adequate provision of water and electricity, •Effective and adequate health services •Effective Cleaning Services. •Adequate, skilled security personnel for property and persons. •Facilities for the physically challenged students. •Security on campus•Transport on Campus

HALL MAINTANANCE/ REHABILITATION •Rehabilitation before resumption and minor repairs at the beginning of the Rain Semester. •Budgetary provision for halls . •Decentralization of hall repairs.•Central Hall maintenance Committee•A separate and central maintenance unit for the Halls of Residence for effective repairs/maintenance of hall facilities is hereby proposed

SECURITY IN HALLS OF RESIDENCE

For sustainable peace on campus, the students’ halls of residence are places where there must be constant vigilance and effective maintenance of law and order.

GUIDELINES/PROCEDURES FOR ACCOMMODATIONAppropriate forms to be filled.

OFF-CAMPUS ACCOMODATIONendorsement of FORMSServes as mediator between students and off campus landlords.

STUDENTS’ VILLAGE

Encouraging Estate Developers to build more students hostels within the University estate.

STUDENTS’ CONDUCTThe production of academically sound and morally upright students depends on all the staff of the Institution and the level of cooperation the University Authority provide.

HOW CAN WE MAKE OUR STUDENTS ACCEPT THE INSTITUTION’S VALUES AND HAVE HIGH ETHICAL STANDARDS?

•Implementation of University Codes of conduct for •students, (DSA and Staff must understand the •University Rules)•DSA in collaboration with other stakeholders in the •mental structures and positively change their negative •mindsets.•Prompt Disciplinary action on erring Students.

REGISTRATION OF STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS/ GROUPS.

University encourages the realization of the full potentials of our students.

It therefore encourages formation of associations of various diversities (social, academic, religious, faculty/departmental, humanitarian), among the students.

Students have the right to free associations, but University Administration must be firm in scrutinizing the aims and objectives of such associations.

Staff Advisers to report on the performance of the association at the end of the session.

CONCLUSIONAn effective Department of Student Affairs, is an asset towards maintenance of sustainable peace, and therefore progress in the University.

A crisis-free University will be able to produce incisive, courageous, trustworthy and confident graduates.

Ensuring that students accept institutional values and ethical standards requires selflessness and hard work on the part of the DSA, Staff and University Administration.

CONCLUSIONThe only way forward is to make a conscious resolve to be more committed to our functions as well as turn the administration of our halls of residence to an internationally acceptable standard.

•THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION