A Report on AFAS ‘Congress’: The Introductions and Comments

Olanshile Ogunrinu

On Tuesday, 31 October, the Association of Faculty of Arts Students (AFAS), convened at the Large Lecture Theatre for what they tagged Congress, which is more accurately a townhall meeting as many of the happenings at the event are an aberration to what is expected of a congress. Article 17(iii) of the AFAS constitution makes it clear that the agenda for a congress must be made known to members of the Association at least 24 hours before the congress, however, the agenda for this ‘congress’ was just made known during the event. Also, the presence of the Faculty Management– the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Solomon Oyetade, and the Sub-Dean, Dr Clement Odoje– at the meeting also negates the purpose of a Congress, which is a general meeting for all students to talk freely on issues affecting them. All these are pointers to assert that what was done cannot be referred to as a Congress, but at best, a town hall meeting.

As it is in the UI’SU, so it is in AFAS

One of the issues of concern that emanated from the recently held UISU Congress is the apathetic disposition of students to the Union’s activities. This was evidently observed at the AFAS town hall meeting, as only a tiny fraction of the students were present at the event, despite the constant publicity that the executive engaged in since about a week ago. Also, the declaration of lecture-free time during the hours of the meeting was not enough to get more students to attend, although some lecturers did not observe the lecture-free instruction.

This trend of apathy towards collective responsibility has, over the years, become part and parcel of students of the University of Ibadan. However, this is condemnable and counter-progressive as collective participation is pivotal to overall development in a community, and the Faculty of Arts as a community needs attention, intentional participation and the contribution of members for it to thrive and progress. A Congress, as the general assembly of students, wields the potential to effect real change, making it a vital platform for addressing issues that affect the students as a whole.

Of Introduction of Studio Fees and the Fate of AFASites

In addition to the rising fees being encountered by the students of the University of Ibadan since the beginning of the session, the town hall meeting reached its highest point as the Faculty dean, announced that studio/laboratory fees will be introduced for students studying language-based courses such as Theatre Arts, Music, Linguistics, Communication and Language Arts, European Studies and others, a revelation that generated questions and comments from the students as they questioned while this is just being introduced in the 10th week, and they also questioned its necessity/essence.

The Dean, while answering questions, made it known that the management of the departments were at fault concerning the lateness in communicating the introduction of the fees to the students.

“The Head of Departments have been notified, following a meeting of Deans, Provosts and Directors where the resolution was reached, to communicate the information to their departments, which they have not done,” he said.

He also maintained that the introduced studio fee, when compared with other institutions and faculties, is relatively lower. He concluded by announcing that a meeting would be held with the Heads of Departments and further information would be communicated to the students concerning the fees.

In his response, former AFAS Assistant General Secretary and current UISU AGS, Olamilekan Mojuba, questioned the introduction of the fees and cited himself as an example, that as a 300-level student of Linguistics, he has never had the cause to use any studio in the 3 years of his academic sojourn in the department.

While also responding, Aduwo Ayodele, a student of the Department of History, pointed out that there is no need for the duplication of the fees.

“As seen in the breakdown of the school fees receipt, a sum of N5,000 has been paid for ‘Studio Development and maintenance fees’, so, bringing it up again at the faculty level is unnecessary duplication.”

“Also, the University of Ibadan Students’ Union has urged students to hold on from paying the studio/lab fees at the faculty level till the meeting with the University management is concluded,” he noted.

Faculty Registration and Course Registration

The issues regarding faculty and course registrations were discussed as Mojuba asked for the rationality behind 300-level students having to pay 2,000 naira for late registration fees. The Subdean answered by maintaining that the management is not aware and will look into it.

Concerning course registration, students bemoaned their inability to register their courses on the portal due to discrepancies in the number of units to register for. The Faculty President, Esther Olaniyi, responded that the fault is not from ITEMS, but the departments as they have been asked to send in their departmental courses and units for each level, which they have yet to do. She also added that the Faculty Executives will work on it.

Last Session’s Package

The students expressed their concerns about their inability to receive their packages/souvenirs from the last session even when it’s already the 10th week of a new session. The Faculty President explained that the current set of Executives, Team Illumination, is not responsible for it, as that was the regime of the previous Team Altruism, however, she asserted that they are currently working on it and those affected should come to the faculty Secretariat with evidence of payment and write down their name. Mojuba, being part of the past regime, explained that the reason for the shortage of packages is because the Faculty Legislative Council (FLC) recommended that only 500 packages should be prepared, to avoid wastage as experienced in the past years.

State of the Toilets and the New Faculty Building Complex

Questions were raised by students on why the faculty toilet around the Large Lecture Theatre is not in use and why students have to go to the toilets in the main faculty building to ease themselves. A student also questioned why the toilets are being locked by 4 pm while some classes are held till 7 pm. The President informed them that the faculty toilet beside the LLT had been like that (unused) since her 100-level days, and she could remember how the AFAS Executives then had to step in to make it function. Nonetheless, she revealed that the Executives are currently making efforts to make water available in the toilets in the main faculty building to aid their cleaning. She also said that the Social and Welfare Director is currently planning a sanitation.

On the issue of the state of the new faculty building, questions were asked on why the toilets are locked and why the classrooms are not being cleaned. The President informed them that cleaners were yet to be assigned there. She added that the General Secretary and his help desk are making efforts to get the place cleaned. She also noted that the Executives are making plans to get waste bins in the building, and that should be done before the semester ends.

Dressing, Faculty Library and Basic Due

Another issue that generated a back-and-forth is the issue of dressing. The attendees were divided in this matter, as some people supported the President’s opinion on how some students of the faculty dress immorally and indecently, while others insisted that individual dressing cannot be policed in the faculty.

“If you don’t fancy their dressing, look elsewhere. You cannot dictate what a person chooses to wear, the Faculty of Arts is the epitome of creativity,” said Janet Meziem, the FLC’s deputy speaker.

On the issues of the Faculty Library, the President noted that it has been opened for usage and students can now access it by coming with a means of identification, like the Kenneth Dike Library card, student’s ID card, and the faculty ID card.

She, however, added that only the ground floor is in use, as the top floor is still under renovation.

Concerning Basic Dues, appeals were made by the President encouraging AFASites to pay their basic dues and other fees.

“The basic due is necessary for the smooth running of the association’s affairs, so, please, let us pay on time,” she appealed.

Upcoming events, Unaware Social Director and AOB

The President went on to highlight the lineup of events for the semester, which includes an employability workshop for 300 and 400-level students that was held on the 9th of November, of which participants will be made up of names of students in the aforementioned levels forwarded by Presidents of Departments. Other events mentioned are an online academic seminar, a Leadership and Tech Workshop, and Christmas Connect—an event the Social Director disproved, claiming that he is not aware of it.

Finally, during the Any Other Business (AOB), students from the Department of European Studies raised concerns about how the winners of the last Dean’s Cup were not rewarded with any monetary prizes, and how the health of the participants was not catered for, they requested for improvement on subsequent competitions.