NEXT: Community  

Building a More Connected UCC

Policy Paper 02

This document highlights the 2nd Policy Paper of the Kayla Landells Campaign for 2026-2027.

In this document:

Executive Summary

The Issue

A Fragmented Student Experience

Limited School Identity

I. Policy Initiative: Creating a Campus Identity

II.  Policy Initiative 2: UCC Student Athletics Network (USAN)

III.  Policy Initiative 3: UCC Review

IV. Policy Initiative 4: UCC Connect

Conclusion

Executive Summary

A strong university community is built through shared traditions, student organizations, leadership opportunities, campus events, and a collective sense of identity. While UCC continues to grow academically, many students still describe the student experience as fragmented. Students attend classes, complete assignments, and graduate without ever developing a meaningful connection to the broader university community.

This challenge is particularly evident among commuter students, online learners, and students who are not already involved in clubs or leadership positions.

A stronger campus community benefits everyone. Students become more engaged, organizations become more sustainable, school spirit increases, and alumni are more likely to maintain a connection with the institution after graduation.

This paper proposes a series of initiatives designed to strengthen student identity, celebrate achievement, improve visibility, and foster meaningful connections between students, alumni, and the wider university community.

Particular attention will be given to ensuring that students across all campuses, learning modalities and programme types have equal opportunities to participate in student life and institutional decision-making.

The Issue

A Fragmented Student Experience

Many students experience UCC primarily through their classes. Outside of academics, there is often limited interaction with the wider university community.

As a result:

  • Many students are unaware of campus events;
  • Student organizations struggle with visibility;
  • Athletic programmes receive limited promotion;
  • Opportunities for involvement go unnoticed, and
  • Students often feel disconnected from campus life.

Limited School Identity

Most universities possess strong traditions, symbols, and identities that unite students across faculties, programmes, and graduating classes. While UCC has grown significantly as an institution, many students still do not identify with a shared student identity beyond simply attending the University.

A stronger institutional identity can increase participation, school pride, and long-term alumni engagement.

  1. Policy Initiative 1: Creating a Campus Identity

In 2025, Enriquel Lattibeaudiere, a student at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, pioneered an initiative to create a campus mascot. After surveys conducted on the Worthington Campus, the “UCC Broncos” was chosen with the horse bearing its visual identity. While not yet in effect and recognized by the UCC Administration, the Student Government hopes to leverage this initiative to create a stronger sense of belonging among students and alumni while fostering student pride and engagement.

  1. Launch the official name for UCC students across all campuses
  2. Institutionalize the UCC Broncos (or student wide chosen name) across student activities, athletics, and community initiatives.
  3. Develop school traditions that unite students across faculties and campuses
  4. Increase student engagement and support for athletic programs through merchandise
  5. Advocate for improved intercampus connectivity through transportation partnerships, coordinated programming, and equitable access to student services.

II.         Policy Initiative 2: UCC Student Athletics Network (USAN)

The UCC Student Athletics Network (USAN) will function as a student-led committee dedicated to promoting athletics, school spirit, and student involvement in sports programmes.

  1. Create a student-led athletics committee under the Student Council structure.
  2. Coordinate student attendance and support at sporting events.
  3. Promote athletic achievements through digital platforms (like UCC Review) and campus communications.
  4. Organize game-day experiences and school spirit initiatives.
  5. Collaborate with student organizations to increase engagement in athletic programming.
  6. Advocate for campus athletes

III.         Policy Initiative 3: UCC Independent Student Publication

Universities preserve their culture through stories. While achievements occur every week across UCC, many disappear once an event ends. This policy seeks to document the people, ideas, and experiences that define student life, creating a lasting archive of the university community while providing students with opportunities to publish, create, and lead.

  1. Establish an Editorial Board in collaboration with the UCC Media Society.
  2. Publish regular digital editions, newsletters, and multimedia content.
  3. Highlight student organizations, leadership initiatives, and club activities.
  4. Feature student achievements, alumni stories, and community impact projects.
  5. Provide event coverage, interviews, and student perspectives.
  6. Serve as the institutional archive of student life and culture at UCC.

IV. Policy Initiative 4: UCC Connect

Many students spend significant time studying, networking, and socializing outside of campus spaces. UCC Connect seeks to strengthen relationships between students and local businesses while creating additional value for the student experience.  

  1. Develop partnerships with cafés, lounges, restaurants, and student-friendly businesses.
  2. Allow students to access discounts and benefits using their UCC Student ID.
  3. Promote study spaces and networking locations available to students.
  4. Strengthen relationships between UCC and the surrounding community on all campuses.
  5. Create opportunities for future sponsorship and partnership initiatives.

V. Inter-Campus Engagement Initiative

  1. Advocate for improved intercampus connectivity through transportation partnerships, coordinated programming and equitable access to student services.

Conclusion

A university community is not defined solely by classrooms or academic achievement.

It is defined by the relationships students build, the traditions they share, and the sense of belonging they carry long after graduation.

The initiatives proposed in this paper seek to create a more connected, engaged, and vibrant UCC community by strengthening school spirit, supporting student organizations, increasing visibility, and creating new opportunities for participation.

Through the UCC Broncos identity, USAN, The Student Publication, UCC Connect, and expanded engagement initiatives, UCC can cultivate a campus culture that students are proud to be part of during their studies and long after they become alumni.

Help Shape What Happens Next.