CRAWFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS CLUB HOLDS MEETING WITH VICE CHANCELLOR

The Crawford University Press Club (CSPC) had a meeting/interview with the Vice Chancellor of the University. The meeting, which was held on Thursday at the Vice Chancellor’s office, was attended by 12 members of the Club and two of the Club’s staff advisers. The meeting was centered around discussing problems relating to the school, both new and old.
Mr. Moses, a staff adviser to the Club at the meeting, gave the introductory speech and introduction while the President of the Club, Victoria Ugbor introduced everybody present to the Vice Chancellor. The discussion with the Vice Chancellor centered mainly on the students welfare, the students conduct, the role of the school in the welfare of the students, the influence of the church on students life, the impact of the security unit of the school on the students activities and all issues relating to the students spiritual, physical, emotional, academic, psychological, mental and social life.

The Vice-President of the club, Michael Salami, raised the issue of the seemingly inclination of the school towards just the academics and spirituality of the students. He observed that the school only seems to place a high priority on these aspects of the students’ life with a rather deliberate overlook on other aspects of the students’ life. To this, the VC reiterated the sole motive of his administration which is “all round development” which is centered on a student-oriented administration. He claimed that his administration is doing their best and would do everything possible within their power to make sure that the students experience development in the aspects of academics, spirituality, social, psychological and all other aspects pertaining to their development. He also maintained that the underlying factor behind every phenomenon as regards the students is their spirituality-which he claims, is the primary concern of the Church-cum-school.

Alufoge Foluke a Press member asked the VC on what his administration is planning to implement on the problem of inadequate lecture rooms for the students. The VC assured her that his administration is also planning to implement developmental construction on the issue of lecture-rooms. He also mentioned that the school, having just been granted accreditation for Mass Communication, is also looking forward to adding other degree programmes which would be implemented into the school’s academic system soonest.

On the new trend of Compulsory Community Service for Student-Offenders, Lucy, a Member, demanded for the rationale behind the concept. The VC replied her by stating that the concept was to serve as a correctional measure for the students who are caught breaking rules in the church. He assured the students generally that the concept was/is not meant to rile or embarrass any student(s) neither was it meant to demean anybody caught in the web of rules-flouting. Rather, he said, it was meant to serve as a correction/reminder to other students to be careful in their conduct.

An observation concerning scholarships was raised by Daniel, a Press Member, and He asked the Vice Chancellor whether the school has any existing Scholarship system for its deserving students. The VC replied that, at present, the school has no existing scholarship system but that in the next few years, His administration would establish, implement and integrate it into the school academic system.

Daniel also raised the issue that Crawford University enjoys regional and international acclaim but suffers from a lack of local/national recognition. He exemplifies/attests this fact to the last International African Students debate which was won by Crawford University in 2014 and also the just-concluded International Students Day Conference which was hosted by Crawford University under the aegis of the Awah Fred-led All African Students Union. Daniel asked the Vice Chancellor of his administration’s preparedness and readiness to lift Crawford University from the deep waters of local non-recognition to the full glare of laudable significance in the nation.

The Vice Chancellor replied by clearly reiterating the goal of his administration which is a student-oriented administration. He explained that the students make up the school and as such, the school is poised at making sure that the students become well-grounded graduates who are worthy of the labour markets. Furthermore, the students make up the school and as such their conduct and individual plus collective performances outside the fore-walls of the institution would no doubt shoot forward the school and make them to become more recognized. In addition, He assured the students that the policies and implementations of his administration would be made in accordance to global standard and repute.

The Vice Chancellor also mentioned that in respect of the forthcoming University Convocation, there would be a press conference which would come up on Tuesday 8th December by 11 a.m. He invited the Press club to be present for the press conference which would also see in attendance, different representatives from media houses all over the nation. This, He claimed, would also project the image of Crawford University on the national sphere.

There were issues, questions and suggestions raised concerning the different aspects of the students’ life. They centered on water, electricity, the security unit of the school, the welfare of the students as well as the health of the students. To all these, the Vice Chancellor gave concise replies and repeatedly assured and reassured the students of his administration resolute determination to make sure the students are all comfortable in all aspects of their life. He stated that his administration is looking into the prospects of building a sports complex for the university which they believe would ultimately increase the students’ participation and involvement in sporting activities in the school environment.
On the problem of students not getting to use the university multi-purpose hall for their students’ programmes and events, the VC clearly objected to that sentiment. He claimed that the Hall is open to the use of everybody in the school but that there are rules and regulations guiding the operational use of the hall. He stated that if the students are to use the Hall for events, they must be ready to follow the rules and accept the regulations that are binding to the use of the hall. If this is done, the Vice chancellor assured that the Hall is open to use by the students whenever they wish to.

The meeting lasted for about two hours and at the end, Mr. Moses gave a closing speech and the Vote of thanks was said by the Patron of the Club, Mr. Gabriel

COMPILED BY:
ADEOYE DANIEL BOLUWATIFE:
POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS