Regent University College of Science and Technology

Welfare & Societies

Overview:

The Collegiate System
In Regent University of Science and Technology (Regent-Ghana), community living is an essential core of our life. For now, the university is composed of two communities, designated as ‘Societies’. Each Society comprises junior members (students) and senior members (academic, senior administrative and professional staff). The Societies are governed by a Council comprising members elected by persons belonging to the Society. The Warden is the Head of the Society. The Warden is assisted by a chaplain.

Each Society has Junior Common Room (JCR) for students and Senior Common Room (SCR) for faculty. In the Societies, students have the privilege of a closer interaction with each other, their tutors and the wider community through various activities organized by the societies. In each Society, a tutorial system offers an opportunity for supervising and counseling members, and ensuring their academic, social and spiritual well-being is well catered for. Apart from the weekly chapel services organized by the university and coordinated by a chaplaincy board, each society organizes chapel services or musical programmes every semester.

Society Tutors
All overseas students are allocated a Society Tutor in their first year, who will meet with them from time to time on an informal basis and who will be available to help with advice on living and studying in Regent-Ghana. You will be sent a letter informing you of the name of your tutor, and inviting you to meet them. You should keep in regular contact with your tutor, and try to see them at least twice a term. Your tutor may ask you to attend a Society function to meet other students and tutors.

Maintaining contact with your Society
Though you “live-out”, you remain members of your Society and are encouraged to enjoy the privileges and responsibilities of membership of these university communities. In addition to providing a focus for social and recreational life and a place to collect your mail, your Society remains an important point of contact with the University on official, academic matters and people must be able to get a message to you in an emergency. It is therefore essential that your Society be kept informed of your correct term time address and telephone numbers.

Cultural Diversity and Awareness
This Society is a multi-cultural community with members from a wide variety of ethnic, national, social and religious backgrounds. Each member should be aware of and tolerant of the cultural traditions and sensitivities of others from different backgrounds.

We expect that members will treat each other with respect. However, if any insensitive, intolerant or bigoted behaviour of a cultural or racially motivated kind does occur, this will be regarded as personal harassment and dealt with as such.

Harassment (personal and sexual)
The University has codes of conduct on harassment, which is on web site of the Society. The advice is to try to confront the offending person by telling them that their behaviour is unacceptable. If this does not stop the problem, you are advised to keep a note of incidents and then report them to the appropriate person, i.e. Senior Tutor, RGSU Welfare Officer, RGSU President, and the Chaplain. If problems do occur, do not feel afraid to talk to any of these people. They are all sympathetic, and may have dealt with similar situations before.

Welfare

Health and Welfare
When you begin your first semester with the University you will normally be required to register with a General Practitioner (GP). You may either register with one of the University’s listed clinics or hospitals.

If you are ill and miss lectures or tutorials you should submit a medical certificate. You can self-certify illness up to a maximum of two occasions each semester for no more than a total of 15 days.

You can collect a medical form from the Society Office to take to your selected clinic/hospital if you are ill and are unable to sit an exam or submit an assignment. This should be signed by the Senior Tutor or Society Chaplain before you visit your doctor for the medical certificate.

Counselling Service
The Society runs a counselling service for all University members. They offer a safe and confidential environment in which students can help resolve personal and emotional difficulties.

Religion
Regent-Ghana is a Christian university. However we recognize the fact that amongst Students there are groups who are practicing believers of other religions. Members of other religious persuasions are advised to notify the chaplain concerning their faith. All members are advised to attend the chapel services of the university since these are also the times for assembly and dissemination to information.

International Office
The International Office is located in Japs House, Mataheko, Accra. If you would like additional information about life in Regent-Ghana as an international student please contact the international student co-ordinator in the International Office.

Visa Renewal
Visa extension forms can be obtained from the International Office. When you have completed the form, you may collect a letter from the office confirming your attendance. You should then send the completed form together with the documentary evidence required to the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Administration.

In-Sessional English for Academic Purposes
The Language Centre can help support your studies with its in-sessional Academic English programme. They offer a programme of 4 hours per week that will help with:
academic writing and reading speaking and listening grammar and other language problems

There is a small charge.

General Services

Banks
Regent-Ghana has a range of Banks and Building Societies; including SG-SSB Bank and Standard Chartered Bank. Banks are open Mondays – Fridays. The opening hours vary, most are open between 8.30 am and 2.30 p.m.

Night Services
The University runs a nightline service for students. Students who would like to stay overnight and use any of the university’s facilities on Fridays and Saturdays (e.g. computer lab, Junior Common Rooms, Prayer Rooms) are required to seek written permission from either the Dean of Societies and Student Development or the Academic Registrar at least 48 hours before the date of the use of the facility.

Sports and Exercise
There are university approved sports centers and gyms in surrounding locations. Information on this is available in the office of the Society.

Communication with students
Much communication in the University is by email. Please check your Regent-Ghana email regularly – at least once a week, if possible more frequently. If you do not check your email, this will not be considered a valid reason for not responding to University communications.

Collection of Mail
Mail will normally be distributed. However if you live out, all mail will be sent to you via your department. Parcels and registered or recorded mail will normally be retained in the Society office, or at the reception for security and a note will be delivered to you. Since this mail will be transferred against a signature, you will have to collect it personally. Please make sure that you give the correct address to anyone who is likely to write to you

If you finish your course, you should leave a forwarding address at the reception office. Mail will be forwarded to you for up to one month after you leave Society; thereafter, mail will be returned to sender. Whilst every precaution will be taken to avoid problems, the Society cannot take responsibility for the safety or security of transferred mail.

Car Parking
Only principal officers of the University are allowed to park in the main compound of the university.

The College will not accept responsibility for theft from or damage to cars or other vehicles left on the site. However, the security officers employed by the university will offer students some help from time to time in ensuring the protection of the cars when necessary. All members of the university are encouraged to identify their cars with stickers bearing the logo of the University.

Student’s Services and Code of Conduct
Regent-Ghana Student Union
RGSU represents students within the University government and campaigns on issues relating to students. One of its most important roles is to provide an effective, confidential welfare service. The Welfare Department can offer help an advice on legal, financial, academic and personal matters.

Students’ Parliament: The Students’ Parliament represents student interests at the university. Its equivalent is the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) in other universities. The Students’ Parliament oversees the activities of the academic, cultural, religious, political and recreational clubs and provides a link with organizations outside. It concerns itself with student welfare within the university. The Students’ Parliament levies direct income from all students registered at the university to finance its programmes and activities.

The officers of the Parliament are elected annually by a ballot of all students during the second semester to serve the following academic year. JCR executives also serve as members of Student’s Parliament. The leader of the Students’ parliament is the Speaker of Students’ Parliament (SSP or Speaker). His position is equivalent to the SRC President elsewhere. Outside the Societies, the Students’ Parliament and the JCR committees, organize the social life of the students, including various kinds of entertainment on campus.