ACTIVITIES AND CLUBS

The University encourages students to participate in as many extracurricular activities and organization as their study-work loads permit.  Experience gained in working with others in the achievement of common goals provides invaluable training.  Some of the more permanent campus organizations and activities are listed below. 

THE UNITED STUDENT MOVEMENT

The United Student Movement (USM) represents students’ interests on campus.  Assisting in the promotion of the ideals and objectives of the University, the USM coordinates a number of activities and services.  The organization publishes a campus paper, The Hilltop Trumpet, as well as a University yearbook, The Palm Leaves.  It coordinates sporting activities on campus and serves as an important link among the University administration, faculty and staff, and the students.  All students are voting members of the USM, and are eligible to take advantage of the opportunities the movement provides.  A detailed description of the organization appears in its constitution and bylaws.

ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL CLUBS 

While the USM serves the needs of the general student body, other campus organizations relate to specific groups.  The university encourages the formal association of students, recognizing that this engenders the development of a wholesome sense of student fraternity and fosters leadership. 

All student associations and clubs operate under the sponsorship of faculty and staff members, but all officers are students. The  following are some student organizations:

ACADEMIC CLUBS

• The Business and Secretarial Students Association (BASSO) seeks to improve scholarship, cultivate awareness regarding current economic trends, and  promote high standards of business ethics among its membership.

• The Northern Caribbean University Science Students Association (NCUSSA) aims at encouraging interest in and understanding of the ever-changing scientific world. 

• The Guild of Psychology, Education and Counselling Students (GPECS) seeks to prepare prospective students for the responsibility of furthering the goals of education with particular emphasis on Christian education. 

• The Ministerial Association emphasizes the development of religion majors but opens its doors to all who desire spiritual fellowship.  The club, which seeks to elevate among its members the high ideals of the gospel ministry, meets each Friday evening after the vesper service and in Sabbath Morning Prayer bands. 

• The History, English, and Music Student Association (HEMSA) seeks to promote leadership skills, scholarship, fellowship, creativity and aesthetic awareness in students in the Humanities. 

• The Computer Hardware Information Processing Specialists (CHIPS) club exists to promote the spirit of enquiry and dedication, and to keep students in touch with the frontiers of Computer Science, while supporting their creative interest and abilities in technological skills.

• Circle K is a service organization through which students can find a means of responsible student action in their communities and a more active involvement in the life of their campus.  As clubs learn about the needs of their campuses and communities, they develop hands-on activities to address these problems.  Circle K provides a unique opportunity to make a difference.
• National Association for the Prevention of Starvation (NAPS) seeks to bring relief to the suffering irrespective of race or colour.  They also seek to build schools and shelters for the most disadvantaged in Jamaica and abroad, to establish a feeding programme, to help eliminate illiteracy, distribute clothing and establish a bond with communities with the hope of bringing the message of eternal life to all persons.
• The Rotaract Club provides an opportunity for young men and women to enhance the knowledge and skills that will assist them in personal development.  To address the physical and social needs of their communities and to promote better relations between all people worldwide through a framework of friendship and service.

CAMPUS SAFETY

The Campus Safety Department is open 24 hours daily, seven days each week, including holidays.  Its main objective is to protect and assist you.  The office is located at the main entrance.

Security may be reached at extension 2029 for the main gate or extension 2181 for the Director’s office.

This department has been authorized by the University to ensure the security of both person and property.  All persons leaving or entering the campus may be subjected to a security check.  This includes checking of all motor vehicles, persons, packages, and day pass, etc.  Any person on University property may be required to show identification to a campus safety officer or a University official at any time.  You are required to wear your ID Card at all times.  Lack of cooperation or lack of respect for an officer may result in disciplinary action. 

Incidents to Report 

• Crimes

• Harassment

• Phone abuse

• Thefts

• Safety concerns

• Vandalism – abuse of or destruction of University property

• Traffic accidents

• Possession of illegal weapons and drugs

• Sexual and physical abuse 

The Security Department treats all threats as serious offences and will report any issued threat to the police.  Any person who, directly or indirectly, whether verbally, in writing or by actions, issues a threat to any other person while on this campus, will have all privileges immediately revoked until the reported matter is investigated and settled. 

Motor Vehicles 

Limited parking spaces are available on campus.  Vehicles should be parked in the area designated for student parking, in the area north of the security booth. Cars parked in unauthorized areas will be clamped, ticketed, fined, and may be towed away at the owner’s expense. 

Further, all students who drive must observe the following procedures: 

• All motor vehicles should be registered with the Department of Student Development upon the student’s entry to the University, and at the beginning of each academic year. 

• The fee of $500.00 must be paid to the cashier in the Business Office.  A receipt will be issued, which the student must then present to the Office of Campus Safety.  An application form is then completed and approved by the Director of Campus Safety.  Once approved, the student is issued with a student parking sticker. 

• Speed limit for all vehicles on campus is 10k or 16 m.p.h.  Those who exceed the limit will be ticketed. 

• No parking is allowed in unauthorized areas on the campus. 

Fire Drills 

Two fire drills take place for residence hall students each semester to ensure the safety of the residents.  Campus wide fire drills are done on a timely basis to involve the entire NCU family; also a highlight on the NCU campus.  The evacuation methods are continually under review to allow movement with dispatch and without confusion. 

CRITICAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT (CIM) 

Occasionally, institutions such as schools, colleges and universities may be involved in a crisis situation that has a serious effect upon the institution and the community.   These are called “critical incidents.”   A critical incident (C.I.) can be defined as any situation faced by members of the University community that causes them to experience strong emotions, which could overwhelm their ability to cope.   The effects of a critical incident can be long lasting, and it depends in part on appropriate responses and the extent to which support is given. 

While it is not possible to anticipate, predict or prepare for specific critical incidents,   it is the responsibility of each institution to have a plan for the management of these   events, should they arise.     It is with this in mind that the Department of Student Development formed a Critical Incident Management Team (C.I.M.), which oversees this aspect of safety on the NCU campus and is managed by a Marshall. The CIM Committee continues to upgrade its functions as it seeks to protect the University family.

Team Members are:

• The University President

• All Vice Presidents

• Residence Hall Deans

• College Deans, Chairs, Sector Heads 

Representatives from Victor Dixon High School, West Indies College Preparatory, Wee Care Day Care Centre and the Early Childhood Centre are also members of this team. 

Some examples of critical incidents that might affect the University are as follows: 

• Sudden death of a student or faculty/staff member

• Suicide of a student or faculty/staff

• A disaster on school premises

• Natural or community disaster

• Unusual and unfavourable media attention

• Fires, explosions or bomb scares on campus

• Campus unrest

• Kidnapping

• Thieves breaking into residence halls

• Major vandalism of the institution’s property 

A critical incident manual has been formulated with highlights, guidelines and directives, should there be threat of disasters i.e. hurricanes, fire, earthquake and floods. It is online and can be found at the Offices of the President and Student Development. The NCU family will be informed about incidents, as the University deems necessary.