campus life
Accommodation Unit
Mission Statement
of the Division of Student Services
” We enable a well governed university and an effective and efficient learning environment through academic, student and corporate governance support so that UTech, Jamaica achieves its mission.”
Halls of Residence Objectives
To establish and maintain a holistic environment for living, learning and development that contributes to students’ opportunities for self-actualization and positive impact on the wider community.
Mission Statement: Resident Life Developmental Programmes
To assist the University in fulfilling its mandate by facilitating the holistic development (spiritual, emotional, social and cognitive) of its resident students; to foster their academic success and fulfill their psychosocial needs to enable them to function effectively in a dynamic national and global environment.
Governance
A Resident Manager is in charge of each Hall along with a student management committee. All members of the student management committee are chosen through a selection interview directed by the Resident Manager.
The Accommodation Officer has the overall management responsibility of the Hall community.
In addition to the specific duties listed below, each person may be asked to assist with other duties where relevant and appropriate.
Resident Manager
- Oversees all the affairs of the Halls and acts as an Advisor to a Joint Committee;
- Manages the implementation of all programmes and activities through the students’ management committee;
- Monitors and evaluates programmes and activities for the assigned Halls;
- Reserves the right to modify committee positions in the interest of the Halls;
- Instills discipline and ensures the rules and regulations of the hall are adhered to.
Resident Assistant
- Assist the Resident Manager in the daily operation of the Hall;
- Heads Hall’s Committee and assists in monitoring hall activities;
- Ensures adherence to standards, rules and regulations of the hall;
- Ensures that the Hall is represented at inter-Hall activities;
- Assists in developing and reviewing policies and procedures.
- Prepare monthly report for submission to Resident Manager
Secretary / Treasurer
- Responsible for the financial affairs of the Hall, including the preparation of timely financial reports;
- Prepares and distributes correspondence, plans and organizes meetings, and prepares minutes of meetings;
- Submits monthly reports to the Resident Manager.
Fundraising & Welfare Coordinator
- Responsible for all fund-raising activities;
- Organize creative and lucrative activities to generate income;
- Keep proper accounting and stock-keeping records for monthly reporting;
- Submit monthly reports to Resident Manager;
- Identify students with need using need assessment instrument;
- Ensure the general welfare of students (eg. welfare fund for needy students and emergency situations, book grants/scholarships, issue condolence or thank you cards, recognize birthdays;
- Plan with the Joint Coordinator at least (1) outreach activity for the year;
Sports Coordinator
- Responsible for planning and executing sporting activities;
- Represents the hall on the Inter-Hall Sports Committee;
- Implements a proper income and expenditure accounting system;
- Submits monthly reports to Resident Manager.
Entertainment & Cultural Coordinator
- Responsible for planning and executing all social and cultural activities;
- Represents the Hall on the Inter-Hall Entertainment/Cultural Committee;
- Coordinates entertainment activities for special occasions;
- Implements a proper income and expenditure accounting system;
- Submits monthly reports to Resident Manager.
Religious Coordinator
- Responsible for the planning and execution of all religious activities;
- Represents the Hall on the inter-Hall Religious Committee;
- Implements a proper income and expenditure accounting system;
- Submits monthly reports to Resident Manager.
Public Relations Officer/Editor
- Organizes outreach activities;
- Responsible for promoting the Hall and its activities;
- Publishes and disseminates information both within and outside the Halls;
- Implements a proper income and expenditure accounting system;
- Submits monthly reports to Resident Manager.
Health & Safety Coordinator
- Responsible for first-aid and coordination of health-related programmes;
- Represents the Hall on the inter-Hall Health Committee;
- Coordinates regular hall duties and work days;
- Coordinates the planning and execution of holistic health-related activities;
- Establishes linkages with health organizations on and off campus;
- Implements a proper income and expenditure accounting system;
- Submits monthly report to Resident Manager.
Logistics & Beautification Coordinator
- Responsible for coordinating regular Hall duties and work days;
- Responsible for the beautification and appearance of the Hall;
- Assists in identifying suitable venues for various committee events;
- Responsible for set-up and post set-up of selected venue for events and activities;
- Ensures the venue identified is decorated and equipment needed for various events is booked;
- Keep proper record of schedule for all committee activities;
- Maintains and reports conditions of equipment;
- Ensures all equipment is returned as loaned;
- Implements a proper income and expenditure accounting system;
- Submits monthly report to Resident Manager.
First Year Experience (FYE) Coordinator
- Helps residents successfully transition to university and develop dispositions of academic and social engagements;
- Supports the Student Orientation Programme in all aspects of Orientation;
- Provides support for first year resident students;
- Provides outstanding customer support to students and families throughout their first year;
- Works with the Resident Assistant, Counseling Unit and other hall executives to ensure the smooth operation of all FYE programmes;
- Works on special projects as directed;
- Maintains quality execution of tasks;
- Submits monthly reports to Resident Manager.
Joint Hall Coordinators
The Joint Coordinators are responsible for coordinating inter-hall activities relevant to their respective portfolios. The committee is comprised of coordinators from each Hall along with other members who may be co-opted as necessary. A Resident Manager is assigned as an advisor to oversee the operation of each joint committee.
Positions on these committees are filled by a formal application and proposal to the Accommodation Officer followed by an interview process. These positions are:
- Joint Culture/Entertainment Coordinator
- Joint Health & Safety Coordinator
- Joint Public Relations Officer/Editor
- Joint Religious Coordinator
- Joint Sports Coordinator
- Joint Logistics & Beautification Coordinator
- Joint First Year Experience Coordinator
- Joint Fundraising & Welfare Coordinator
Hall Chairperson
The Hall Chairpersons represent resident students’ concerns on the Students’ Council. They liaise with the Resident Managers, Resident Assistants and the Accommodation Officer on issues and problems faced by the students, and are integral in the implementing and reviewing of Hall policies.
Check Your Offer Status
Get realtime update on your application for accommodation
About the Halls of Residence
There are 382 residential spaces at UTech, Ja., 226 for female students and 156 for male students. These residential places are provided through seven halls: Donald Farquharson Hall, Amy Jacques Garvey Hall, LOME Halls ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘E’, ‘F’, and the Dennis Johnson Hall which is a co-ed facility. All facilities are double occupancy.
A Resident Manager, who is a member of the University staff, manages each hall, along with a Student Executive Committee headed by a Resident Assistant.
The Accommodation Officer has the overall management and administrative responsibility for the Halls of Residence.
Halls Of Residence
Welcome to the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.), and its Halls of Residence.
Donald Farquharson Hall :- Home of the Stalwarts
The Donald Farquharson Hall was opened in August 1965, named in honour of the first chairman of the College Council, The Honourable Donald Farquharson. A triple occupancy facility, it was originally constructed to house eighty-eight students.
Due to the increase in demand for housing, the capacity was increased to 149 male students. Unfortunately since the Covid-19 pandemic, the capacity of the Hall was reduced to 98 beds, and is now a double occupancy facility.
The Hall consists of three floors, with each floor having its own bathrooms and a galley-type kitchen. A dining and television room on the ‘B’ and ‘C’ floors, a computer room (with internet connectivity) on the ‘A’ floor and a study room on the ‘B’ floor complete the hall’s other special amenities. There is also a room retrofitted for the physically challenged.
Amy Jacques Garvey Hall :- “Home of the Flames“
The Amy Jacques Garvey Hall, named in honour of Mrs. Amy Jacques Garvey, widow of National Hero Marcus Garvey, was opened in 1971. This hall, constructed as a triple occupancy facility through the World Bank Educational Fund, was originally built to accommodate 50 female students.
Due to the increase in requests for on campus housing, Garvey Hall was renovated, and now accommodates 128 female students.
Since the COVID-19 Pandemic the capacity of the Hall was reduced to 86 beds and is now a double occupancy facility
Hall A – “The Acropolytes”
Hall B – “Blazers”
Hall E – “Eagles”
Hall F – “Falcons”
These four halls, constructed under the Lomé III Regional Programme of the European Development Fund (EDF) were officially opened on May 14, 1996.
The halls were a part of a project to provide housing for students at UWI, UTech and the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.
Hall A, B and E each houses 42 female students, while hall F houses 42 male students. These are all double occupancy facilities. The students in each hall are housed in five sections; each section except the mezzanine floor, consists of kitchen, dining and bathroom facilities.
Dennis Johnson Hall of Residence – “The Spartans”
The Dennis Johnson Hall of Residence (DJHR), was constructed to house athletes. It is named in honor of Dr. Dennis Johnson, the first Director of Sports and coach of the UTech, Ja. Track & Field programme. The DJHR was originally referred to as “Track House” located where the nursing building is now situated with very limited space and amenities.
The house had two (2) bedrooms which accommodated four (4) athletes each, one kitchen and one bathroom. When the house became unfit to live in, the students were relocated to the house adjacent to the backfield of the campus. This move was much appreciated by the athletes.
The demand, however, and need for more space to house athletes became paramount and as a result the building was renovated in 2014 to house 41 beds. It has two floors., and since the COVID-19 pandemic the capacity was reduced to 30 beds. The structure retains the design of a house, with 12 bedrooms, three (3) communal type bathrooms, a kitchen on each floor, one dining area, lounge area, 2 computer labs one on each floor, a washroom, and a balcony that the athletes use to relax and get their massage.
DJHR, Home of the “Spartans”
Health & Hygiene
The Medical Centre of the University of Technology, Jamaica, is staffed by experienced medical personnel who are trained to respond to onsite medical emergencies. All calls should be directed to the Medical Centre for emergencies occurring during opening hours.
Persons with life-threatening emergencies who visit the Health Centre receive supportive care and are then transferred via ambulance to the Accident & Emergency Department of the University Hospital of the West Indies.
Opening Hours
- Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Emergencies occurring after opening hours must be promptly reported to the Resident Manager or designate who will contact the Security Control Room for an ambulance or transfer to the hospital.
Contact for ambulance service is through the Security Control Room at any of the following numbers:
- Extension – 2170
- Straight line – 977-0274
- Mobile – 832-8300
A student/staff who has sustained a fall or is unconscious should not be moved unless a member of the Medical Centre or Ambulance Service staff is present. An open airway should be maintained until medical assistance arrives.
All users of the Medical Centre are required to make an appointment using the Online Health Centre System (OHCS) for non-emergency care. You can now reduce your wait time and schedule your appointments from home.
Visit the UTech website at www.utech.edu.jm and select the OHCS link from the useful links (top right) section. Your health insurance and student identification cards are necessary for each visit.
All registered students are provided with a health insurance card which can be used at any health care provider. Please note that some providers only accept cash/debit/credit cards as payments. If this occurs, ask for a signed receipt in order to make a claim against the health insurance provider.
There is a cost for services not covered by the health insurance plan, however no cash is collected at the Medical Centre. Payments can be made by credit/debit card.
Accessing Other Services
Students are encouraged to follow the guidelines outlined below to access services.
- Email requests for prescriptions, medical reports, referrals or appointments to utechmedcentre@utech.edu.jm
- Provide radiology (X-ray) and laboratory test entities with the email address to which diagnostic test results can be sent.
- The email account will be manned by the medical team and feedback will be provided within 48 hours.
- Remember to include a telephone number for us to contact you.
Rules & Regulations
Introduction
To facilitate the smooth functioning of the halls and to achieve a balance between the responsibilities of management and the comfort of the residents, rules and regulations are in place. The University urges students to accept them in that spirit, and assist by conforming to them. At the beginning of each academic year, an orientation programme is conducted for resident students to complement the general orientation programme. Students are encouraged to use these opportunities to ensure that all their concerns are dealt with.
Some requirements for students provided places on halls include:
- Compliance with the accompanying rules and regulations;
- Acceptance of the stated fees and agreement to pay them by the dead line established by the University;
- Agreement to be part of the regular hall work roster, which includes on-going kitchen and bathroom duties and upkeep of the surroundings;
- Agreement to discourage “hazing/ragging” during orientation and throughout the year;
- Active participation in hall activities and
- A signed agreement to take care of University property and replace or repair any damaged furniture, equipment or other fixtures.
Students may contribute to the development of hall regulations. They may suggest rules governing the well-being of residential life. These must be approved by the Resident Life Advisory Committee before they can be implemented.
General Rules
Each resident is responsible for knowing and complying with all regulations. Students’ rights and privileges extend only so far as they do not infringe upon those of another individual or breach the University’s rules and regulations. All students are expected to abide by the Statutes, Ordinances, and Regulations of the University as outlined in Ordinance 1999/14-Student Discipline in the University’s Students’ Handbook. The Halls of Residence rules are governed by Ordinance 1999/14 regulations and will adhere to the disciplinary procedures therein. Prohibited practices include but are not limited to the following and will attract the penalties as outlined under the different offences in Ordinance 1999/14:
- Sleepover
- Lending of keys or access cards to any other person
- Water throwing
- Fighting
- Smoking including electronic cigarettes
- Hanging of clothing on balconies, windows and or any area other than the clothing line. (Failure to comply will result in clothing being removed and dumped.)
- Offensive language in any communication on the halls or within the University.
- Inappropriate attire, on hall and or on campus
- Illegal drugs, including marijuana.
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages, alcohol and drunkenness.
- Sexual indiscretion.
- Sexual harassment of students, visitors or employees of the University.
- Abuse of any kind: physical, verbal, and/or written.
- >Unauthorized publishing of hall activities on any print or electronic media.
- Illegal use of the fire escape
- Stealing
- Shooting
- Brewing
- Bullying of any sort
Disciplinary Procedures
Students who break the rules governing the halls will be subjected to the following disciplinary procedures:
- First Offence – Warning
- Second Offence – Written letter
- Third Offence – A hearing
A hearing will be instituted as outlined under Breach of Discipline in accordance with Ordinance 1999/14 and followed as guided by the Disciplinary Procedure, base on the nature of the offence.
The preliminary hearing panel will be comprised of the following persons:
- Accommodation Officer
- Resident Manager
- Hall Chairperson or designate
- Member of Resident Life Committee
Recommendations for suspension or exclusion from Hall through the Committee will be provided to the President of the University for his/her decision. Based on the nature of the infraction, the preliminary hearing panel will refer the matter to the Disciplinary Committee in accordance with Ordinance 1999/14.
Observation of Quiet Periods
Courtesy, respect and consideration for others are expected every day. Students are expected to show consideration for roommates and other occupants of the residence halls by observing quiet periods, especially after 10:00 pm daily. The volume of radios and similar equipment must be controlled, so as not to affect the halls, classes and other university activities. Indoor and outdoor activities should at all times be conducted in a manner that is not disruptive to the residents and the general public. In addition, activities that could create disturbances should not be conducted during special functions, e.g. ceremonies.
N.B: There should be no activity on the volleyball court after 11:00 p.m
Care of Facilities
The facilities in each room are to be shared equitably by all students assigned to the room. Residents are expected to keep their rooms, the cooking/dining areas, and all areas of their hall in a clean and tidy condition. The Resident Managers will inspect the rooms at regular intervals during the year. It is mandatory that all residents perform specific duties as stated in the weekly duty roster thereby ensuring a safe and healthy living and working environment for other occupiers, staff and visitors.
You must regularly remove garbage from the facility and place it in the designated area at your Residence.
Students are required to have a key to their rooms. At the end of residence, the key is to be returned to the Accommodation Unit. Students are encouraged to properly secure their personal belongings at all times in order to ensure their safety and security. THE UNIVERSITY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LOSS OF ANY PERSONAL BELONGINGS. Lost keys and swipe cards must be reported immediately to the Resident Manager(s) so that a replacement can be provided, at the student’s expense. On vacating rooms, students are expected to remove all their belongings and leave the rooms thoroughly clean. Failure to do so will result in the cleaning expense deducted from your caution fee.
No alterations or damage should be made to furniture and fittings in the rooms, dining areas, sitting areas, bathrooms, kitchens and walls. No furniture or equipment should be relocated from assigned areas within the hall without the permission of the Resident Manager(s).
University property should be kept in good condition and should not be removed from the hall unless prior written permission has been obtained from the Accommodation Unit. Particular care should be exercised in the use of equipment and utilities, such a light and water, in order to avoid waste and increased cost. Tampering with utility lines is strictly prohibited. Any fault in installations or other observed defects should be reported immediately to the Resident Manager or Assistant.
Additionally, as resident students:
- You must not cause any excessive or unnecessary noise in the Residence.
- You must not cause other occupiers of the Residence or any other person any injury disturbance, distress, nuisance or damage to their property.
- You must not commit any crime or act in a manner which conflicts with our policies on drugs, harassment, offensive weapons or equal opportunities which can be found in your Handbook or in any way act in a manner which is likely to bring the institution into disrepute.
- You must use the accommodation only as a living and studying facility.
- You must not at any time share or part with possessions of the accommodation except in the case of a double or triple room for sharing with the other student authorized by us to share the accommodation. Your rights in the accommodation are not transferable to anyone else.
- Bearing in mind the nature and type of the building in which the accommodation is located, you must not exceed the total load capacity of the electric sockets in the accommodation.
- You must not interfere with any electrical plumbing or telecommunications installation or systems in the Residence.
- You must not erect or install any outdoor aerial.
- You must not cause blockage or pollution of any drains.
- You must not throw any object from any windows/balcony of the Residence.
All residents are expected to cooperate with the University in maintaining standards of tidiness and orderliness, within residences and throughout the University. Students are to ensure that a signed ‘Facilities Checklist’ (included in the Boarding Package) of the state of facilities in their respective sections is forwarded to their respective Resident Managers at the commencement of their boarding period.
You must pay the reasonable cost of making good any loss, breakage or damage that we believe has been caused by you or your visitors to, or at the facility. Payment will include a fair and reasonable portion of total cost, where the perpetrator(s) of such loss, breakage or damage cannot be identified; all efforts will be made to identify the perpetrator(s) . This will not apply in cases where there is evidence of wear and tear, and or where the resident can prove without reasonable doubt their absence at the time the damage occurred.
Visitation Rules
Restricted visitation hours exist to support students’ rights to personal privacy and equal access to their room and floor facilities. THE RIGHTS OF ROOMMATES SHOULD NOT BE INFRINGED UPON.
The University expects students to act in a decent and acceptable manner when hosting guests. Emergency visits will be considered on their own merit and must be cleared with the Resident Manager or the Resident Assistant.
Hall Visitation
Non-residents are allowed on the halls subject to the following conditions:
- Visiting hours are between:
- 12:00 noon and 12:00 midnight Sunday to Thursday
- 12:00 noon and 1:00am Friday and Saturday
- Visitors are not allowed in the utility areas, and in rooms.
The Resident Manager or the Resident Assistant reserves the right to expel any visitor whose behaviour is considered inappropriate.
Members of the senior administrative staff have the right to visit the halls at any time in consultation with the Accommodation Officer and or Resident Manager.
Room Visitation
Visitors to rooms are subject to the following conditions:
- Students should not entertain visitors in their rooms without the consent of their room-mates.
- Visitors must be accompanied by a resident to and from the room.
- Visiting hours to rooms are between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily.
The Resident Manager or the Resident Assistant reserves the right to expel any visitor whose behaviour is considered inappropriate.
Disciplinary Procedures
Contact Us
We're here to help you
-
The Accommodation Unit
Student Services Department - University of Technology, Jamaica 237 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6
- boarding4@utech.edu.jm
- 1 (876) 927-1680-8
- Ext. 2191 • 2262
